Thread: DNC Launches New Ad Campaign for 'Tough and Smart' Immigrati

DNC Launches New Ad Campaign for 'Tough and Smart' Immigration Reform(2/2)

4/19/2006 6:01:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Luis Miranda of Democratic National Committee Press Office, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, April 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Democratic National Committee (DNC) today unveiled an advertising campaign that sets the record straight on where Democrats and Republicans stand on immigration reform. In a new Spanish language radio ad, Democrats hold Republicans accountable for trying to criminalize immigrants, doctors, and churches, and for blocking real progress on immigration reform. The ad campaign coincides with Congress's return next week. (Part 2 of 2):

DNC RADIO AD BACKUP

"Fuerte e Inteligente" ("Tough and Smart")

Length: 60 seconds

Language: Spanish

TEXT BACKUP

"Democrats support tough and smart immigration reform. We want to strengthen our borders; as well as U.S. workers and their wages. We want for immigrants who obey the law and pay taxes to be able to apply for U.S. citizenship. That's immigration reform that matches American values: tough and smart.

Provisions of The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act

Title I: Border Security -- Requires the development of various plans and reports evaluating information-sharing, international and federal-state-local coordination, technology, anti-smuggling, and other border security initiatives -- Establishes a Border Security Advisory Committee made up of various stakeholders in the border region to provide recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security regarding border enforcement -- Encourages the development of multilateral partnerships to establish a North American security perimeter and improve border security south of Mexico

Title II: State Criminal Alien Assistance -- Reauthorizes the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program that provides reimbursement to state and local governments for incarcerating undocumented aliens convicted of crimes -- Allows for funding to pay for additional criminal justice costs associated with undocumented immigrants charged or convicted of crimes

Title III: Essential Worker Visa Program -- Creates a new temporary visa to allow foreign workers to enter and fill available jobs that require few or no skills (the H-5A visa) -- Applicants must show that they have a job waiting in the U.S., pay a fee of $500 in addition to application fees, and clear all security, medical, and other checks -- Requires updating of America's Job Bank to make sure job opportunities are seen first by American workers -- Initial cap on H-5A visas is set at 400,000, but the annual limit will be gradually adjusted up or down based on demand in subsequent years -- Visa is valid for three years, and can be renewed one time for a total of 6 years; at the end of the visa period the worker either has to return home or be in the pipeline for a green card -- Visa is portable, but if the worker loses his job he has to find another one within 60 days or return home -- Ensures that employers hiring temporary workers abide by Federal, state and local labor, employment and tax laws -- Prohibits the hiring of temporary workers as independent contractors -- Protects temporary workers from abuse by foreign labor contractors or employers. -- Gives temporary workers and U.S. workers remedies for violations of their rights -- An employer can sponsor the H-5A visa holder for a green card, or after accumulating four years of work in H-5A status, the worker can apply to adjust status on his/her own -- Sets up a task force to evaluate the H-5A program and recommend improvements

Title IV: Enforcement -- Creates a new electronic work authorization system that will ultimately replace the paper-based, fraud-prone I-9 system, to be phased in gradually -- When operational, the system will be applied universally and cannot be used to discriminate against job applicants -- Individuals will have the right to review and correct their own records; data privacy protections are in place -- Immigration-related documents and US-VISIT will be upgraded to require biometric verification of travelers -- The Department of Labor will have new authority to conduct random audits of employers and ensure compliance with labor laws; also includes new worker protections and enhanced fines for illegal employment practices

Title VII: Adjustment of Status for H-5B Non-Immigrants -- Undocumented immigrants in the U.S. on date of introduction can register for a temporary visa (H-5B), valid for six years -- Applicants have to show work history, clean criminal record, and that they are not a security problem to be eligible for a temporary visa -- They will receive work and travel authorization -- Their spouses and children are also eligible -- In order to qualify for permanent status, workers will have to meet a future work requirement, clear additional security/background checks, pay substantial fines and application fees ($2000 or more per adult) as well as back taxes, and meet English/civics requirements (Kennedy Release, 5/12/05)

"Now Republicans are lying to us. They control Congress and the White House, and in five years have done nothing. They've failed. If they wanted comprehensive immigration reform and to protect our borders, they would have done it already.

Frist Embraced "Huge Breakthrough" in Immigration Debate Which Fell Apart in Less Than A Day. After two weeks of debate on immigration, the Senate came to a compromise, which Majority Leader Bill Frist announced as a "huge breakthrough." The compromise included a path to citizenship for immigrants who could prove they had been in this country for at least 5 years. However, that night members Republicans rebelled and hoped to amend the compromise, which eroded its bi-partisan support. Frist imposed another deadline of April 7th for the final vote on the immigration bill, but a majority of Senators voted against cloture and dismissed the compromise. CQ Weekly wrote, "Even with a bipartisan compromise in hand, the Senate rejected a sweeping overhaul of immigration policy last week and instead left Washington for a two-week recess caught up in a political stalemate that threatens to sink one of the biggest issues facing Congress this year. (Chattanooga Times Free Press, 4/10/06, 4/11/06, Investor's Business Daily, 4/7/06, Los Angeles Times, 3/31/06, New York Times, 4/3/06; CQ Weekly, 4/10/06)

Washington Post: Republicans Are Grandstanding, But Not Taking Real Action, To Reform Immigration. In response to Republican Spanish-language ads on immigration, the Washington Post wrote in an editorial, "Spare us the 'honor our immigrants' line. We've criticized Mr. Reid and other Senate Democrats for their role in blocking movement on the immigration bill. But House Republicans -- backed by President Bush -- are to blame for the mean-spirited, enforcement-only bill that they passed last year. There's fault to go around for the descent of the immigration debate to spin war. Sadly, Mr. Bush, instead of showing leadership, has joined in the finger-pointing, accusing Mr. Reid last week of 'single-handedly thwarting the will of the American people' on immigration reform. If Mr. Bush wants to achieve results, rather than score points, this isn't the way. And if Republicans want to 'honor our immigrants,' they ought to defy those in their caucus who feel -- and vote -- otherwise." (Washington Post editorial, 4/19/06)

"But, what Republicans and President Bush supported was a plan that would criminalize immigrants, families, doctors, and even churches just for giving communion. Call Republican Senator Bill Frist at 202-224-3135 and tell him to allow a vote on immigration reform. Paid for by Democratic National Committee. www.democrats.org. This communication not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. The DNC is responsible for the content of this advertising."

Bush "Strongly" Supported Passage of HR 4437. The Bush Administration released a Statement of Administration Policy saying, "The Administration strongly supports House passage of H.R. 4437 and appreciates the efforts of the House Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security Committee in bringing this important legislation to the floor. The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to improve certain provisions in the bill and to implement the many necessary reforms that this legislation provides. The Administration is committed to securing the border to prevent illegal crossings, improving our ability to apprehend illegal immigrants, and ensuring that those who are caught are returned to their home countries as soon as possible. H.R. 4437 authorizes additional resources for these efforts." (Statement of Administration Policy, 12/15/05)

House Bill Would Criminalize Doctors and Priests. CQ Weekly wrote that after Rep. Tancredo gained traction with anti-immigrant rhetoric, "The House answered by drafting a bill that would require the government to build nearly 700 miles of fence along the U.S.-Mexican border, make it a felony to be illegally present in the United States and severely punish humanitarian workers -- including priests and doctors -- caught aiding illegal immigrants." The National Catholic Reporter wrote, "The bill also would criminalize the actions of doctors, teachers, social workers and ministers who aid undocumented immigrants at Catholic social agencies, hospitals, schools and parishes. Many could face felony charges and penalties including forfeiture of assets and jail terms from three to 20 years." (Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 3/24/06; National Catholic Reporter, 3/3/06)

Catholic Church: HR 4437 Would Criminalize Communion. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahoney wrote a letter to President Bush in December, saying of HR 4437, "One could interpret this bill to suggest that any spiritual and pastoral service given to any person requires proof of legal residence. Are we to stop every person coming to holy communion and first ask them to produce proof of legal residence?" Religion & Ethics Newsweekly wrote, "The Catholic Church, in particular, is determined to make a stand against the House immigration reform bill -- any bill, for that matter, that would criminalize illegal immigrants and those who aid them." (NPR, 3/5/06; Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, 3/31/06)

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Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

i hate partisian politics. the democrats are the ones who made it a felony, i think you all can see now why I stand neatral and never join a party.

criminalize immigrants, . . . families, doctors, and even churches just for giving communion.

stupid me, I thought it would criminalize ILLEGAL ALIENS that entered the country "illegally" and those that 'aid and abet' and harbor illegals ...

these priests are doing more than 'giving communion'

Originally Posted by dragons5

i hate partisian politics. the democrats are the ones who made it a felony, i think you all can see now why I stand neatral and never join a party.

Felony issue:

Actually, Democrats did it to make it a phoney political issue that they can use against Republicans.