State Responses to Immigration:  A Database of All State Legislation
This database contains all bills and resolutions related to immigrants or immigration that were considered by state legislators across the nation.  At present, the database contains all immigration-related legislation for 2007.  Data for 2008 and historic 2001-2006 data will be added in the coming months.
State Responses to Immigration is a joint project of the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and a research team at the New York University School of Law (NYU).

http://www.migrationinformation.org/datahub/statelaws.cfm

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Summer 2008 Legislative News

Congress is out for the month of August.  There was some action on immigration-related measures just prior to its departure. 

On the House side, by a vote of 407 to 2, H.R. 6633—the Employee Verification Amendment Act—was passed.  The bad news is that this bill re-authorized the flawed Basic Pilot electronic verification test pilot.  The good news is that, in effect, Members of Congress have acknowledged that, despite years of operation, this system (now called “E-Verify) is not ready for prime time.  They did not make it mandatory, nor did they extend the program for a longer period of time (some were pressing for a 10-year re-authorization).  The bill commissions two studies by the GAO, to measure the impact of E-verify on the Social Security Administration, and on small businesses.  It also includes a provision that requires DHS to reimburse the Social Security Administration for the costs incurred by SSA in implementing the program.

Also in the House, the Immigration Subcommittee passed H.R. 5882, a bill that would “re-capture” employment-based and family-based immigrant visas that had not been allocated under existing ceilings due to bureaucratic inefficiencies.  Re-capturing visas back to 1992 would provide an additional 225,000 immigrant visas on a one-time basis, alleviating somewhat the shortage of immigrant visas that keeps family members and workers waiting for years to gain their immigrant visas.

The House Immigration Subcommittee passed two other positive measures.  H.R. 6020 would facilitate naturalization for military personnel, and provide certain relief from deportation for members of the military and their family members.  H.R. 5924, the Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act, would provide extra visas for nurses, among other things.

In the Senate, S. 3414 was introduced by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Edward Kennedy (D-MA).  The Visa Efficiency and E-Verify Extension Act would reauthorize a number of immigration programs expiring this year, including E-Verify (for a limited time).  The bill would also recapture unused family- and employment-based immigrant visas.  It would also require studies of the problems with E-Verify, and include measures to protect the Social Security Administration against the burdens placed on it by the E-Verify program.

The Senate also passed H.R. 2608 (previously passed by the House), extending the time period during which elderly and disabled refugees, asylum seekers, and certain other immigrants may receive benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.  The time limit was extended from seven to nine years.  The amended measure goes back to the House for another vote.

Getting through both the House and the Senate—and signed into law on July 30—was H.R. 5501, the United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act.  Among other things, this bill removes HIV infection as a mandatory ground of inadmissibility to the U.S.
Source:  National Immigration Forum

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - January 2008
Members of the public should remember that unless an officer has a warrant, you are not required to invite that person into your home. Under US law, you may also properly refuse any question that is put to you and instead remain silent. You do not need to cooperate with any investigation if you do not want to do so. We believe that the guidance, advice and assistance of an experienced attorney is very important in circumstances such as these.
The community is asked to call their local immigration center for further detailed information.

Download pdf file: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS prepared by the ACLU

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ALERT: BEWARE OF "LEGALIZATION PAPERWORK" FRAUD
May 2007
Any organization (whether public or private) or individual (e.g., notary public or attorney), who claims that a new legalization plan has been enacted, or that you should prepare for a soon-to-be approved legalization program, is committing fraud.  Protect yourself and your community:

• Do not pay anyone or any organization to assist with the “preparation of legalization paperwork”
• The U.S. Congress has not approved, nor has the President signed immigration reform legislation that includes a process for the adjustment of status (e.g., becoming a permanent resident)

At this time, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives continue to debate the issue and laws to reform the existing immigration system HAVE NOT BEEN ENACTED.

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The Irish Apostolate USA, on behalf of Irish immigrants in the country, is committed to working for a comprehensive solution to the current immigration crisis.  A comprehensive approach will:
1) include a path to citizenship for the undocumented;
2) include a temporary guest worker program with a path to citizenship;
3) reduce the backlog in family-reunification;
4) restore due process rights for immigrants;
5) provide appropriate security for our borders and for U.S. citizens.

WHITE HOUSE Fact Sheet: Immigration Fact Check: Responding to Key Myths

Contacting Congress
It is important that you let your legislator know that you support comprehensive immigration reform – and a path to citizenship for the undocumented. The anti-immigration faction is well organized and their followers are very vocal. We need to make more calls and make sure our voices are heard!

Your Senators and Representatives need to hear from you. Let them know people in their state support comprehensive immigration reform. You can contact them by phone, fax and email. Please follow the links to get the details for your representatives.

How to Contact Your Elected Federal Officials
The U. S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 will connect you directly to the Washington office of your member of Congress. Tell them which zip code you are calling from to get the details for your representative and your senators.

To contact The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

To contact any Senator: link to site

To contact a member of the House of Representatives in Washington: http://clerk.house.gov/

To find the local contact information for your Representative:  http://www.house.gov/