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From: Aliza Becker <azbecker@mindspring.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:6421] FW: Immigration Policy Update
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------ Forwarded Message
From: "Mbelanger" <mbelanger@immigrationforum.org>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 17:12:06 -0400
To: <mbelanger@immigrationforum.org>
Subject: Immigration Policy Update
National Immigration Forum
Date: September 14, 2001
To: Forum Associates and interested advocates
From: Maurice Belanger
Re: Immigration Advocacy in Light of Events of the Past Week
----------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
1. Events of this week have altered the political landscape
2. Forum statement on attacks on Arab Americans and other
ethnic communities
3. Status of pending legislation and planned advocacy
events
4. New priorities
5. Announcement of nationwide conference call for 9/19
6. Quotes from leaders on attacks against Arab Americans
and others
----------------------------------------------------
Events of the past week have left us all in shock and sadness.
Thousands of lives were lost in the terrorist attack of September 11.
Many thousands more lost love ones, friends, and co-workers. We
sincerely hope that your loved ones were not among the victims on the
airlines or in the buildings that were targeted by terrorists.
Our lives have been changed by events of the past week. This country is
not the same place it was on September 10. What that means, for those
of us in Washington who have been working for more generous immigration
policies, is that, at least for now, we must move in a different
direction. Five days ago, we were optimistic that we could achieve a
change in policy that would significantly increase opportunities for
immigrants here, and for those who would like to make America their
home. One day, we will return to this immigration agenda. Today, we
must move in a different direction, and work on an American agenda.
The country is pulling together to support those who are grieving and to
support whatever response will be necessary to hold the attackers and
their conspirators accountable. Indeed, Americans are at their best
when we pull together in times of crises. The sense that we are all in
this together has been palpable on the streets of our cities.
Regrettably, there are some in this country who are working against this
American agenda. We have all seen reports of attacks against fellow
Americans who happen to be Muslim, Arab American, or someone who "looks
foreign." The number of reports are escalating. The individuals
responsible are pitting American against American. As the country tries
to pull together, they are trying to divide us. In doing so, they are
giving the terrorists part of the victory they seek.
What can we do to support the American agenda? We must do all we can,
as quickly as we can, to support those communities that are now coming
under attack--particularly the Arab American community, but also
immigrants and people who appear to be "foreign." We must speak out
against those who are trying to divide us. We must get our political
and community leaders to speak out against the hatred that some are
focusing on our fellow Americans.
Many organizations have already issued some statement reacting to events
of the past week. The Forum will be sending out the following
statement:
TEXT OF FORUM STATEMENT
The events of September 11 have left us all shocked and saddened.
Beyond the terror inflicted on our country, the perpetrators sought to
shake our nation's confidence, make us question our freedoms, and even
turn on each other. We cannot let them succeed.
Americans from all over the country have reacted to what has happened in
New York and Washington by pulling together--volunteering their time,
their sweat, their money, their blood. It is this spirit, and our
dedication to freedom and democracy, that will enable us to survive this
troubled time.
Although the overwhelming majority of Americans have acted nobly in the
aftermath of this tragedy, regrettably, a small number of misguided
individuals have lashed out at fellow Americans who happen to be Muslim,
of Arab descent, or foreign-born. This is wrong. Americans of Arab
descent and Islamic faith are just as shocked and saddened as all of us.
Indeed, many of the victims of Tuesday's reprehensible attacks were
immigrants who came to this great nation to escape political violence,
to live in a land of religious freedom and tolerance, and to embrace
America's freedoms and opportunities.
Those who turn Americans against themselves are handing a victory, in
part, to the perpetrators of this week's violence. Let us heed the
calls from our leaders, such as Mayor Giuliani, President Bush, Senator
Edward Kennedy, and many others, who remind us that terrorism is the
enemy we share in common, and not each other.
We are a nation of immigrants, a nation that values diversity, and a
nation based on the principles of freedom and democracy. Only by
remaining true to these core commitments will we succeed in rising to
the challenges before us, and rising above the hatred that led to the
events of this week. Let us forge unity out of our diversity, and
strength out of our shared ideals.
========
========
STATUS OF LEGISLATION, PLANNED EVENTS
Before September 11, there were several legislative events planned, and
events planned by advocates. Most of those have been postponed.
Specifically, there were hearings scheduled for the Unaccompanied Alien
Child Protection Act (S. 121), the Children's Adjustment, Relief, and
Education Act (S. 1265) and, in the House, a hearing on the topic of INS
reorganization. There was a House floor vote scheduled for the 245(i)
extension bill.
Outside of Congress, a conference planned by the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, "Building an Immigration System for the 21st Century," has
been cancelled. The American Immigration Lawyers Association had been
taking the lead on organizing events and lobbying around the fifth
anniversary of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
Responsibility Act on September 30. They have decided to cancel those
planned activities.
These decisions have been made for several reasons. For one, it is
unclear that the intended audience--policy makers--would even be in a
position to hear the message, in light of the focus of Congress on
response to events of September 11. Secondly and related, it seems
inappropriate, in light of what's happened, to be making demands on
these issues (and this is true for a range of issues other than
immigration) at this time. Third, more practically, it is unclear
whether the air traffic system will be back to normal operation, or
whether advocates who might come in will feel comfortable by that time.
Finally, we feel it is more important at this time to focus energies on
first, defending those who are being attacked because of their religion
or ethnicity, and second, defending against legislative proposals that
may emerge that will further restrict the rights and liberties of
immigrants.
NEW PRIORITIES
In light of the new circumstances, the defense against a growing
backlash against Arab-Americans and immigrants is a priority. The
situation may well get worse. A final death toll from September 11 has
not yet been tallied. Americans' anger may well become much worse once
that information is release. Furthermore, the U.S. has not yet
responded. It may be that our response will generate further killings
of Americans here. We cannot predict how the climate for immigrants
will change in the next several months.
In the coming days, we will be circulating letters to urge our political
leaders, including the President, to speak out on the attacks that are
going on against our fellow Americans. We urge you encourage your local
political leaders to speak out on the issue as well. We will also be
circulating some of what is being said by leaders and others on the
issue of attacks against Arab Americans and immigrants Some quotes,
provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, are copied at
the end of this e-mail. We would also like to keep tabs on what is
happening in local communities around the country and what is being done
by advocates.
Aside from the immediate need to defend immigrant and ethnic communities
from attacks, we will need to keep an eye on legislative proposals that
may emerge as a response to the events of this week. There may be
irrational proposals that will seek to punish all those of a specific
ethnic group, or to restrict the liberties of all Americans, rather than
focusing on effective solutions to the problems posed by terrorists.
Any legislative proposal that responds to this week's acts may present
an opportunity for restrictionists who want to close our border against
newcomers.
NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE CALL WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19
To discuss all of this, and to provide an opportunity to hear what is
going on around the country, there will be a nationwide "Share-the-Cost"
conference call on Wednesday, September 19, 2001, at 1:00 PM EST. You
must have a Vialog conference call account code. If you do not have an
account code, you should call Vialog at 888-727-2560 before the call and
set up an account with them. Without an account code, you will not be
able to get on the call.
To get on the call, dial 703-871-3094 and ask for the National
Immigration Forum conference call.
This call replaces the previously-scheduled, regular monthly call for
immigration advocates, which had tentatively been set for September 21.
LEADERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT ON ATTACKS AGAINST ARAB AMERICANS AND OTHERS
Thanks to the American Immigration Lawyers Association for the
following:
“I urge…our nation must be mindful that there are thousands of Arab
Americans who live in New York City who love their flag just as much as
[we] do. And we must be mindful that as we seek to win the war that we
treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they deserve.”
President George W. Bush
“The Senate declares that in the quest to identify, bring to justice,
and punish the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist attacks on the
United States on September 11, 2001, that the civil rights and civil
liberties of all Americans, including Arab-Americans and American
Muslims, should be protected; and condemns any acts of violence or
discrimination against any Americans, including Arab-Americans and
American Muslims.”
U.S. Senate Resolution
“Nobody should attack anyone else for racial, religious, ethnic reasons
or any other reasons. That’s what we’re dealing with right now. We’re
dealing with the insane, sick hatred of people for another group of
people because they fit into some kind of group mentality. It would be
really horrible if New York has practiced any form of that.”
New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
“Just as this horrendous act can destroy us from without, it can also
destroy us from within. Pearl Harbor led to internment camps of
Japanese-Americans, and today there is a very real danger that this
tragedy could result in prejudice, discrimination, and crimes of hate
against Arab-Americans and others. The lesson Oklahoma City taught us
was the perpetrators of these acts of terror can be evil men of every
race, nationality and religion as are the victims. We must ensure that
these acts of terror do not slowly and subversively destroy the
foundation of our democracy: a commitment to equal rights and equal
protection.”
Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
“I know that the American Muslim and Arab communities share the nation=s
horror and outrage over yesterday=s terrorist attacks. They have issued
strong statements unequivocally condemning these vicious atrocities and
expressing their condolences to the families of the innocent people
killed. In the aftermath of these shameful attacks, there is
understandable anger across the nation. But it is wrong and
irresponsible to jump to conclusions and make false accusations against
Arabs and Muslims in our communities. Above all, we must guard against
any acts of violence based on such bigotry. America=s ideals are under
attack too, and we must do all we can to uphold them at this difficult
time.”
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
==============================
Maurice Belanger
Senior Policy Associate
National Immigration Forum
mbelanger@immigrationforum.org
http://www.immigrationforum.org
------ End of Forwarded Message
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