To: Immigration, Civil Rights and Crime & Justice Advocates
From: Krista Zimmerman and Gabe Schlabach, MCC Washington Office
Date: March 6, 2008

Issue:

Last summer the United States Congress failed to pass immigration reform legislation that would have reformed the visa allocation system, required undocumented immigrants to begin a process of legalization and stepped up enforcement of immigration laws. Now, with elections looming, many in Congress are rushing to show they can “get tough” on immigrants by sponsoring punitive detention and deportation legislation, without regard for the civil rights, due process or human dignity of citizen or noncitizen.

A recent measure introduced by U.S. Representatives Tom Tancredo (R-CO) and Heath Shuler (D-NC), as well as U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), called the “Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act” (H.R. 4088/S.2368) is the latest example. Nearly 150 congressional offices have signed up to cosponsor the bills. Let them know this is the wrong way to address immigration.

Background:

Our immigration system does not work well for would-be immigrants. It’s not efficient, effective or fair. Working immigrant families often cannot obtain visas, and those who can, often face long periods of forced separation because they are not able to immigrate together.

The sloppy enforcement policies legislators are rushing to support only address these issues by:

1. Instituting flawed workplace verification programs that target communities of color and negatively impact U.S. low-wage workers,
2. Expanding immigration prison space to unnecessary and wasteful levels, and
3. Further militarizing the border.

One of the most harmful aspects of this bill is its attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid. Existing law allows religious and humanitarian aid workers to transport asylum-seekers to designated points of entry after they arrive in the United States. Under SAVE, these workers could face up to 5 years in prison.

Faith Reflection:

Jesus himself experienced misuse of incarceration, wrongful interrogation, judgment and excessive penalties. Not surprisingly, he also proclaimed liberty to captives and those oppressed by unfair systems (Luke 4:18).

Action:

Forward this e-mail to friends and contact your representatives in both the House and the Senate by calling them at (202-224-3121) or sending an e-mail at:

• Contact Your Representative
• Contact Your Senator

Tell them you oppose the “Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act” (H.R. 4088/S.2368) and other legislation like it.

Why the SAVE Act Immigration Bill is the Wrong Approach:

• The bill includes only punitive measures that:
  • Militarize the border region
  • Target those providing religious and humanitarian aid,
  • Mandate the use of a discriminatory worker verification database
  • Increase the amount of immigration prison space, and
  • Increase overall enforcement of a broken system.
• The bill does nothing to protect or reunite families, a goal that has always been a staple of U.S. immigration policy, and an issue important to Christians.
• The bill plays into the fears and stereotypes that have promulgated in the media, placing blame for the ills of society at the feet of undocumented immigrants, rather than effectively and rationally dealing with immigration.