Thank you for contacting the NAACP Washington Bureau. We are the federal legislative liaison office for the NAACP.

The issue of immigration reform is contentious and oftentimes emotional. The NAACP, true to our mission, has been involved in the debate on Capitol Hill trying to ensure that our nation’s immigration policies must be consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect and dignity. As such, we have developed a set of principles that we believe should be included in any legislation which addresses immigration reform. These principles, including the need for more meaningful job training assistance programs and more well paying jobs in the United States, are included in the press release that is attached below.

Thank you again for contacting the NAACP Washington Bureau.

NAACP NEWS

www.naacp.org
Bruce S.gordon Julian Bond

President and Chief Executive Officer Chairman, Board of Directors

IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2006

Contact: John C. White

(410) 580-5125

COMPREHENSIVE Immigration Reform SHOULD NOT INCLUDE CRIMINALIZING UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

Immigration policies must be consistent with humanitarian values

The NAACP has called for Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform without a primary focus on the enforcement approach that includes building a 700-mile wall, conducting a campaign of mass deportation and the criminalizing of undocumented workers.

NAACP President & CEO Bruce S. Gordon said: “Our nation’s immigration policy must be consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect and dignity. We must move away from the politics of ostracizing immigrants and instead look at the demographic shifts and needs of our nation in a larger context.â€