Bishop John Kirby, Chair, IECE, Press Release for the 2012 Emigrant Information Packet

Ancient Order of Hibernians - Irish American Heritage Celebrations at Arlington Cemetery, Washington, DC, March 2012

************************************************************************************************************

ICE establishes hotline for detained individuals, issues new detainer form

WASHINGTON — As part of a broader effort to improve our immigration enforcement process and prioritize resources to focus on threats to public safety, repeat immigration law violators, recent border entrants, and immigration fugitives while continuing to strengthen oversight of the nation's immigration detention system and facilitate legal immigration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced new measures to ensure that individuals being held by state or local law enforcement on immigration detainers are properly notified about their potential removal from the country and are made aware of their rights.

The new measures include a new detainer form and the launch of a toll-free hotline – (855) 448-6903 – that detained individuals can call if they believe they may be U.S. citizens or victims of a crime. The hotline will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by ICE personnel at the Law Enforcement Support Center. Translation services will be available in several languages from 7 a.m. until midnight (Eastern) seven days a week. ICE personnel will collect information from the individual and refer it to the relevant ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Office for immediate action.

The new form also includes:

• A request that the law enforcement agency (LEA) provide the subject of the detainer a copy of the detainer form and includes a notice advising the subject that ICE intends to assume custody. The notice informs these individuals that ICE has requested the LEA maintain custody beyond the time when they would have otherwise been released by the state or local law enforcement authorities based on their criminal charges or convictions. The notice also includes Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese and Vietnamese translations.
• Further emphasis that LEAs may only hold an individual for a period not to exceed 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). It also advises individuals that if ICE does not take them into custody within the 48 hours, they should contact the LEA or entity that is holding them to inquire about their release from state or local custody.
• Directions for individuals who may have a civil rights or civil liberties complaint regarding ICE activities.
• The new form allows ICE to make the detainer operative only upon the individual's conviction of the offense for which he or she was arrested.
• The new form makes clear that the existence of a detainer should not impact or prejudice the individual's conditions of detention, including matters related to the individual's custody classification, work or quarter assignments.

An immigration detainer (Form I-247) is a notice that DHS issues to federal, state and local LEAs to inform them that ICE intends to assume custody of an individual in the LEA's custody and to request that the LEA notify ICE as soon as possible prior to the time when LEA would otherwise release the individual.

Detainers help ensure that individuals who are convicted of criminal charges or have previously been removed are not released back into the community to potentially commit more crimes. Detainers are critical tools in assisting ICE's identification and removal of criminal aliens, immigration fugitives, illegal re-entrants, recent border crossers and others who have no legal right to remain in the United States.

Press release taken from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.

*************************************************************************************************************

USCCB MIGRATION CHAIRMAN LAUDS COURT DECISION REGARDING ARIZONA SB 1070, URGES COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM - July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON— As chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City applauded the July 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton to halt some of the most controversial provisions of Arizona SB 1070 from going into effect the next day. Bishop Wester lamented the status quo on immigration as “unacceptable” and called for the Federal government to act immediately on immigration reform.

            "It is the right decision,” Bishop Wester said.  “Any law that provides legal cover to profiling affects all members of our communities, including legal residents and citizens.  It is a very slippery slope. What is needed now is for Congress and the Administration to live up to their responsibilities and address this issue by passing immigration reform."

            The U.S. Catholic bishops believe that any comprehensive immigration reform bill should contain the following elements: a legalization program that gives migrant workers and their families an opportunity to earn legal permanent residency and eventual citizenship;  a new worker visa program that protects the labor rights of both U.S. and foreign workers and gives participants the option to earn permanent residency; reform of the U.S. family-based immigration system to reduce waiting times for family reunification; and restoration of due process protections for immigrants, including asylum-seekers. In the longer term, policies that address the root causes of migration, such as the lack of sustainable development in sending nations, should also be part of the equation. [Catholic News Service]
---

*******************************************************************************************************

WHITE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
Statement by the President on Today’s (March 11) Meetings on Immigration Reform

Today I met with Senators Schumer and Graham and was pleased to learn of their progress in forging a proposal to fix our broken immigration system.  I look forward to reviewing their promising framework, and every American should applaud their efforts to reach across party lines and find commonsense answers to one of our most vexing problems.  I also heard from a diverse group of grassroots leaders from around the country about the growing coalition that is working to build momentum for this critical issue.  I am optimistic that their efforts will contribute to a favorable climate for moving forward.  I told both the Senators and the community leaders that my commitment to comprehensive immigration reform is unwavering, and that I will continue to be their partner in this important effort.

Senator Chuch Schumer to Lead New Effort at Immigration Reform,
Irish Central, Jan 4, 2010

DHS Secy. Napolitano's Remarks on Immigration Reform, Nov 13, 2009

Immigration Reform is Good for Economic Recovery, Center for American Progress, Nov 2009