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 The United States’ immigration system is broken and outdated, and a comprehensive solution is needed to fix it. An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently reside in the United States. These are people who migrated here to join their families, to work, or to seek refuge from persecution or violence. If given a chance to legalize their status in the United States, most immigrants would do so, but they simply don't have the opportunity. They have no options under our current laws.
In recent years, the federal government has expanded the use of immigration detention and other harsh enforcement efforts, resulting in the separation of thousands of families and the suffering of communities nationwide. Moreover, many close family members must wait years, even decades to be able to enter the United States to reunite with their loved ones.
LIRS's Position
LIRS supports a comprehensive solution to the United States' broken immigration system. We urge Congress and the Obama administration to work collectively to pass and enact into law fair and humane immigration reform legislation.
LIRS advocates for reform that includes the following provisions:
- Provides an earned pathway to lawful permanent residency and eventual citizenship for undocumented immigrants and their families
- Ensures the humane enforcement of US immigration laws, specifically within the immigration detention system to reduce the reliance upon the incarceration of vulnerable immigrants and to promote the use of community-based alternatives-to-detention programs
- Protects families from separation and ensures an adequate supply of visas for families seeking to reunite in order to reduce the long delays currently experienced by immigrants awaiting family reunification
- Ensures the protection of US citizen and immigrant workers
- Provides adequate resources and protections in order to ensure the successful integration of refugees, asylees, unaccompanied minors, and other vulnerable migrant populations.
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Legislation
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2011
The Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) Act of 2011 represents this Congress's first attempt at a broad immigration overhaul and offers the legislature an opportunity to create an immigration system for the twenty-first century.
The CIR Act of 2011 would:
- Provide a legalization program for non-criminal undocumented immigrants living in the United States since June 1, 2011. Eligible migrants would obtain temporary legal status that includes work authorization and permission to travel abroad and would later be permitted to apply for Lawful Permanent Residency (green card).
- Incorporate the DREAM Act
- Protect family unity and expedite reunification for spouses and minor children.
- Reform to the immigration detention system to ensure that detention is used only when necessary and basic standards of care.
- Provide safeguards for refugees and asylum seekers in the United States.
Click here to read a summary of this bill: The CIR Act of 2011
How You Can Help
Visit the LIRS Action Center, and write to the president and your members of Congress. Tell them that you support comprehensive immigration reform that is fair and humane.
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