Immigration

United Farm Workers launch Take Our Jobs Campaign spotlighting the immigrant labor issue and the need for immigration reform.  Join the campaign!  Click here.

Immigration Protesters in Arizona

FACT CHECK:  The Majority of Arizona Latinos Oppose State's Immigration Law

---

Think Progress

Over the past few weeks, right-wing proponents of Arizona’s draconian immigration law — ranging from senatorial candidates Marco Rubio (R-FL) and J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) to Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and lawyer Kris Kobach –have attempted to suggest that the majority of Latinos in the state support its implementation.

Watch a compilation of their remarks:

Think Progress reports differently... 

Dear Friends,                    

This is a sad and tragic time for Arizonans.  A few days ago, Governor Jan Brewer signed Arizona SB 1070 into law.  Among other flaws, the bill mandates all law enforcement to question people about their immigration status during everyday police encounters.

This law legitimizes the shameful use of racial profiling. It is discriminatory, unfair and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution, and comes at a high cost both to Arizona taxpayers and to our treasured civil liberties.

By signing this bill into law, Governor Brewer has authorized violating the rights of millions of people living and working in Arizona. She has forced every police agency in our state to divert precious resources away from promoting public safety and has instructed them to detain and question anyone who looks or sounds "foreign."  Sadly, it is a dark day for Arizona when the goal of appeasing one state senator, Russell Pearce, takes priority over fundamental constitutional rights and also piles unneeded costs onto already overburdened taxpayers.

Before the Governor signed the controversial bill, President Barack Obama justifiably criticized the proposal as "misguided," and pointed out the bill's threat to "undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."  The President promised to "closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation."

The ACLU is committed to doing more than just closely monitor this situation. We are here - on the ground in Arizona.  And along with our coalition partners, we are firmly committed to act NOW and to act FORCEFULLY by filing suit directly challenging the unconstitutional provisions of this law. Armed with outstanding and dedicated legal talent, we expect to win.

WE CANNOT WIN WITHOUT YOUR VITAL SUPPORT!

I implore you. Take a stand today.  Make a special, tax-deductible gift that will directly support our litigation and public education efforts by using the "donate now" button below OR contacting the ACLU of Arizona office at 602-773-6005.

DONATE NOW

Sincerely,


Roberto Reveles, President
Board of Directors
ACLU of Arizona

"¡Obama, Escucha! ¡Estamos en la lucha!" (literally: "Listen, Obama! We're in the battle!")

---

 

More than 200,000 people gathered on the National Mall today to participate in March for America, a rally advocating comprehensive immigration reform.

Organized by Reform Immigration for America, the rally brought together groups from around the country — including Service Employees International Union, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Democracia Ahora and the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles — to send a message to lawmakers: "The time for immigration reform is now."

President Obama delivered a message from the big screens in the crowd in which he assured the demonstrators of his commitment to passing comprehensive immigration reform.

 Video from President Obama's address to the recent Immigration March:  

 Immigration, Jobs, and the American Economy

---

  

A recent study by The Century Foundation gives some insight to the affects of immigration on jobs and the American economy. The study goes into the affect of immigration on wages and whether illegal immigrants get more in services then pay into taxes. In summary:

The high level of illegal immigration in and of itself constitutes a fundamental failure of public policy. Leaving aside the emotional political arguments that characterize the debate over immigration reform, repairing the system is a complex challenge with no easy answers. To the extent that the incomes of low-skilled native workers may be reduced because of immigration, a wide range of policy options are available to help them, including tax reductions, subsidies, wage supports, training, job placement, the earned income tax credit, and relocation programs. In addition, the federal government could do more to relieve the states and localities of the financial burdens associated with immigration.

From an economic standpoint, the evidence seems clear that draconian measures such as massive deportations or major reductions in legal immigration levels would be counterproductive to the United States and its citizens. However, a great deal more can and should be done to help offset the costs to native workers, especially those with low skills, that the inclusion of foreign-born workers imposes on them.

Learn more about U.S. Immigration policy