Immigrants, now's time to speak up





'Everyone here [in the U.S.] should get the same thing. We will not let our families be split apart if those here less than five years have to return to their country with no guarantee they can come back," says Maria Soriano, a Bronx immigrant who traveled to Washington this month to protest.
Soriano, who is working very hard to mobilize Bronx immigrants to participate in tomorrow's rally at City Hall, was echoing the concerns and uncertainties of thousands of families about the bipartisan immigration compromise announced on Thursday by Senate leaders.

The compromise, which would have divided the 12 million undocumented immigrants into three separate classes, did not last long: It fell apart on Friday amid partisan bickering.

Stating "All of Us or No One," Soriano and other Bronx immigrant leaders also rejected the three-class approach. It would have provided for undocumented immigrants who have been in the U.S. for five years or more to eventually become citizens if they remained employed, passed all background checks, paid a $2,000 fine as well as back taxes and learned English. Seven million people fall into this class.

Immigrants who have lived here two to five years would have to go to a U.S. point of entry and apply for a temporary work visa. They would be eligible for a green card and citizenship, but it would take them several years more. There are 3 million people in this category.

The undocumented who have been here less than two years would simply have to go. They would leave the country, and then they could apply for the temporary worker program without any guaranteed positions. One million people or more would have to leave the U.S.

Obviously, Soriano's concern about families torn apart is a legitimate one.

Other immigrants and advocates warn of many hidden traps in the Senate legislation.

"For months, immigrant communities have been railing against H.R. 4437, the immigration bill passed by the House of Representatives," said Benita Jain, staff attorney at the New York State Defenders Association Immigrant Defense Project. "Every piece of legislation on the table in the Senate contains many of the same provisions that would expand the detention and deportation system."

According to Jain, the compromise bill subjects green card holders to increased detention and deportation and undermines the goals of guest worker and "legalization" programs by ensuring that many people would be ineligible.

These, according to Jain, are just some of the hidden traps:


The legislation would expand mandatory detention, and add 10,000 prison beds for detaining more immigrants.

It would allow the indefinite detention of immigrants, overturning Supreme Court decisions.

It would allow local governments to hold immigrants for 14 days after they are supposed to be released from jail - even if they have no charges filed.
Undoubtedly, after Friday's defeat in the Senate, immigration reform is as uncertain as it ever was. But that defeat also opens another opportunity for a more just and humane approach to immigration reform.

Now more than ever, immigrants must make their legitimate concerns heard. More than 70 cities across the U.S. will take part in tomorrow's urgent nationwide day of action for immigrant rights.

New Yorkers will gather at 3 p.m. tomorrow at City Hall to show their strength and their decision to fight for fair immigration laws.


http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/sto ... 4753c.html


They want their plan, or no plan!