Extending Immigrant Rights

Proposed changes in federal immigration law ws introduced today in the Senate by Sen. Edward Kennedy and in the House of Representatives by Reps. Luis Gutierrez and Robert Menendez.

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill, will(1) legalize immigrants living and working in the US; (2) reunify immigrants with family members; and (3) establish a new temporary employment program with stronger protections for workers.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in Baltimore endorsed the bill. In a press release Ruben Chandrasekar, the Regional Organizer who works with Project Voice, AFSC’s immigrant rights program stated: “Immigrants work hard, pay taxes, raise families and are essential for Baltimore to grow and prosper. Baltimore city Mayor O’Malley recognizes the vital role immigrants play in this city and recently hired a staff person to help coordinate services for immigrant communities. Unfortunately, many immigrants are still forced to live in the shadows when they are undocumented. True immigration reform must provide a safe and sure path to permanent legal status, and ultimately citizenship, for all immigrants who live, work and pay taxes in the U.S.”
More information: rchandrasekar-AT-afsc.org