This week the House of Representatives is considering legislation that provides funding to the federal government. As we have mentioned before, LIRS is deeply concerned with the bill’s cuts to U.S. refugee programs. In addition, members of Congress have filed hundreds of amendments to modify the bill. LIRS encourages you to contact your Representatives to oppose these amendments:
Amendment # 199 and Amendment #445 should be OPPOSED. These amendments, offered by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX-2) and Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-11), would prevent the Department of Justice or any other federal agency from challenging the constitutionality of Arizona’s controversial law S.B. 1070.
The Department of Justice’s job is to uphold the Constitution. This amendment would interfere with the U.S. judicial system’s process.
Our founding fathers separated the three branches of government to prevent this type of behavior. Members of Congress who hold the Constitution sacred should oppose these types of amendments.
The American people expect the courts to resolve the legal issues surrounding Arizona law in a fair and just way. They do not want interference from politicians in Washington.
Amendment #225 should be OPPOSED. This amendment, offered by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA-6), would eliminate funding for the Diversity Visa Program, a small but important avenue for legal immigration for newcomers who do not have close ties already in the United States.
Unlike other visa categories, the Diversity Visa is not about to whom you are related, who you know, or how well educated you are. It is a unique program because anyone with a high school degree or two years of work experience in a field requiring at least two years of training can apply.
The Diversity Visa program provides one of the few legal immigration channels for people from countries that send few immigrants to the United States. The program adds to the diversity of our communities and our nation.
Members will vote on these amendments either today or tomorrow. To find out who your Representative is, go to www.house.gov. To connect you with the Capitol Switchboard, dial (202) 224-3121 and they will patch you in to speak with your Representative’s office.