Act Now! To Ensure Passage of the Latino Immigration Fairness Act

The US Congress will recess on October 20, 2000. It is imperative that its members be told or  reminded that enactment of The Latino Immigration Fairness Act (LIFA) is important to our communities. The bill offers the US government the opportunity to level the playing field by putting Haitians and some Central Americans on a par with Cubans and Nicaraguans who were granted legal residency three years ago. LIFA also provides for reinstatement of Section 245i, a measure that allowed immigrants to adjust their status to that of legal residents without having to return to their homeland or travel to another country for an interview with a consular officer. A measure that aims to provide legal residency to anyone who has been living in the US continuously since before 1986 is also included in the bill. 

Overall, a significant number of our brothers and sisters from Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala and elsewhere would benefit from the law. 

The Clinton Administration and Congressional democrats favor adoption of the legislation and are on record as being ready to do everything they can to ensure its adoption before the recess -- see box. Democratic Presidential Candidate Al Gore also backs LIFA.

The Republican leadership in Congress is not insensitive to immigration issues. Recently it ensured the adoption of a bill that drastically increases the number of non-immigrant visas for technology workers that the hi-tech industry says it needs in order to continue innovating and remain competitive in the global market. 

On September 27, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), former presidential candidate for the Republican Party nomination, said that he supported LIFA and urged a vote in its favor.

Action is needed now to ensure that the Republican leadership throws its weight behind LIFA as well. Between now and the congressional recess, they need to hear from constituents and immigrant advocates.

Please ACT NOW! Call or Write. Send a telegram, fax or electronic mail. Tell your friends, relatives and colleagues to do the same. Don't just sit this out. The welfare of thousands of Haitians is at stake.

The letter to President Clinton (below) was signed by 44 Senate Democrats and 156 House Democrats.

September 21, 2000
The Honorable William J. Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write to you regarding an issue of great importance to us and to many families across this country. We are committed to ensuring that the provisions contained in S. 2912, the "Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act," are included in the Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary (CJSJ) Bill or any other legislation to which CJSJ may be attached. Therefore, as you work with Congress to craft the FY 2001 Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary bill and other remaining appropriations legislation, we urge you to make it your priority to include this critical provision.

The Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act has strong support in both the House and the Senate because it would add desperately needed fairness to our immigration laws. S. 2912 would stabilize the immigration status of specific immigrants who have been living, working, paying taxes and raising families in the United States for many years. In particular, the bill includes three provisions: (1) establishing legal parity between Central American and Caribbean refugees; (2) updating the "registry" date so that long-time resident, deeply-rooted immigrants who have been in this country since before 1986 will qualify to remain here permanently; and (3) restoring Section 245(i) of the Immigration Act, a provision that sensibly allows persons in the U.S. who are on the verge of gaining their immigration status to remain in the U.S. while completing the process.

We, the undersigned, believe that the time is now to normalize the status of these immigrants. This will ensure that these individuals can continue to make valued contributions to our economy and that their families, which often include American born children, are not torn apart. Accordingly, we will vote to sustain a veto of the FY 2001 Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary appropriations bill or any other bill that may contain its provision, if the components of S.2912 are not included. As Democrats, we believe that the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act is a measure and just recognition of the important contributions these individuals have made to our country. We know you share our beliefs, and we look forward to working with you to accomplish this important goal.

Sincerely,