Immigration Policy and Politics Marcia Drew Hohn, EdD Teaching Immigration Across the Curriculum Online Teacher Workshop Public Education Institute at The Immigrant Learning Center, Malden, MA
Deferred Action on Deportation 1. June 16, 2012: Announced by President Barack Obama 2. Relief from deportation for immigrants 15 to 30 years old who were brought to the U.S. as children 3. For Department of Homeland Security, deferred action means: It has chosen to exercise its discretion in immigration enforcement
Deferred Action on Deportation Deferred deportation: is not amnesty or immunity; does not provide a path to a green card or citizenship; does not extend to family members
Deferred Action on Deportation Eligibility: Arrived in the U.S. before the age of 15 Are under age 31 Have resided in U.S. five years consecutively Are currently in school or have graduated H.S., GED or honorable military discharge Not convicted of felony, significant misdemeanors Do not pose a threat to national security
Deferred Action on Deportation Deferred deportation: Is granted in two-year increments to be renewed every two years Can apply for Work Authorization Document ($380 fee) Some state immigrant advocacy organizations believe legal status will open the door to in-state tuition rates for college
Deferred Action on Deportation Wait until USCIS announcement for how to apply promise in 60 days Warn your students not to report themselves as undocumented now and do not give money to anyone promising to get them legal status USCIS now has a hotline to answer questions in English and Spanish: 800-375-5283
Dream Act Picks up where Deferred Deportation leaves off Provides pathways to U.S. citizenship through college or the armed services Eligible undocumented youth would become eligible for Conditional Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status Needs action by Congress
Secure Communities Homeland Security program to ID immigrants in U.S. jails deportable under immigration law Jails to submit arrestees fingerprints both to criminal data bases AND immigration data bases Now in 44 states mandated for all states by 2014
Secure Communities In 2011, 11,000,000 fingerprints submitted 672,788 data matches 142,000 deportations Dept. of Homeland Security s stated purpose is to remove dangerous and violent offenders who pose a threat to public safety It is still sweeping up immigrants with minor offenses
Secure Communities Deportations: Level 1 minor convictions 26% Level 2 convictions - 19% Level 3 (dangerous/violent) 29% Limits effectiveness of Community Policing Concern about racial profiling Creates fear among all immigrants Many states/communities want to opt out
Arizona & Supreme Court Ruling 06-24-2012 ruling rejected Arizona s primary contention that local police have inherent authority to enforce immigration law; this provision was struck down as in conflict with federal authority Crime to fail to carry registration papers Crime for undocumented immigrants to seek work Authority of local police to arrest immigrants BUT left authority of local police to determine immigration status upon arrest or stopping
Immigration Reform Act 2010 Border enforcement and security Prevention: Unauthorized entries/removal Detention reform Mandatory National Employment Verification system New worker program and expanded visas Legalization of undocumented individuals Immigrant Integration Congress gridlock prevents passing of the Act
Immigration Reform Stay informed Visit the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) and sign up for This Week in Immigration newsletter: www.immigrationpolicy.org Get IPC summaries of new legislation, policy and legal initiatives Notices and summaries of new IPC research and reports Fact sheets and Q&As about important issues affecting immigrants
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