This Week in Immigration

Posted by Staff, Immigration Impact at 3:25 AM on March 28, 2009.

THIS WEEK IN IMMIGRATION:
www.ImmigrationImpact.com

Congress Flexes Muscle for Broader Immigration Reform with DREAM Act
The House and Senate delivered yet another signal that the political tide for immigration reform is getting stronger with their introduction of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act [Senate] and the American Dream Act [House].  The bill is a strong bipartisan effort and a sign that the muscle for comprehensive immigration reform is getting stronger on both sides of the aisle as momentum builds.

Obama Tells Univision Viewers that He Will "Always Be Listening"
President Obama appeared on "Premio Lo Nuestro," a popular Latin music awards show which aired on the Spanish-language channel, Univision.  Obama thanked the mostly Latino audience for voting in November and encouraged them to stay involved and "make your voices heard."

Citizen Children Neglected and Deserted in Wake of Immigration Raids
Dorsey & Whitney law firm, in conjunction with The Urban Institute, graphically details the devastating impact of immigration enforcement on US citizen children and their families in a new report, "Severing a Lifeline: The Neglect of Citizen Children in America's Immigration Enforcement Policy."
 

Guilty Until Proven Innocent in Immigration Detention
Not only are immigrants in detention "dying for decent [medical] care," a recent report by Amnesty International blasts the federal government for violating their human rights by allowing tens of thousands of people -- including U.S. citizens -- to "languish" in custody for months to years without receiving hearings to determine whether their detention is warranted.

Hillary Clinton's Two-Day Visit to Mexico
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Mexico to discuss a wide range of issues, including immigration, trade and security. Clinton's visit paved the way for high-profile visits from Atty. Gen. Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, culminating with President Barack Obama's first trip to Mexico in mid-April.

A Comprehensive Solution to Order on the Border
Local border town police face a difficult challenge in balancing their role as both police officers and immigration officers within a broken immigration system. Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris asserts that focusing his attention on real criminals rather than economic migrants has not only lowered the city's crime rate, it has also enabled police to maintain a closer relationship with the communities they serve.

Immigration Reform Makes Sense for U.S. Economy
The Immigration Policy Center released a synthesis of economic data showing the economic benefits of immigration reform. Some of the data is produced by our government's own Congressional Budget Office, which has declared the benefits of putting workers on a path to legalization.

Tagged as: immigration, obama, mexico, hillary clinton, dream act