[R-G] Coalition / Comprehensive Immigration Reform: ACT UPDATES 7/26/07

[james m nordlund]

ACTION ALERT UPDATES - 7/26/07
Dear Advocates of Comprehensive Immigration Reform,

http://www.cirnow.org/

We have several updates today!

     - From the National Immigration Forum - Graham Enforcement-Only 
Amendment Fails
     - From the Center For Community Change - Action Alert: Call Rep. 
Emanuel and the Democratic Leadership.
     - From Hazleton, PA - Anti-Immigrant City Ordinance Ruled 
Unconstitutional!

Graham Enforcement-Only Amendment Fails

A Message from the National Immigration Forum,

Yesterday, we sent out an action alert urging that you call your Senators
to 
voice your opposition to an amendment by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
that 
would have, among other things, created a more draconian system for 
immigrants by stripping away yet more due process rights.  This amendment 
was being offered to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations 
bill.  Democrats were prepared to offer an amendment to the Graham
Amendment 
that would have tacked on the DREAM Act and AgJOBS, and stripped away the 
most egregious of the due process provisions of the Graham amendment.

When it came time to consider the Graham Amendment, Majority Leader Harry 
Reid (D-NV) raised a point of order against the Graham amendment.

In theory, Senators are not supposed to create new laws as amendments to 
appropriations bills-the bills which set spending levels for the federal 
agencies.  The Graham amendment would have, among other things, altered
the 
due process regime for immigrants and would have made other changes to the

Immigration Act.  Therefore, Senator Reid was able to raise his objection.

Senator Barack Obama, who was presiding over Senate proceedings at the
time, 
sustained Senator Reid's objection.  His ruling-that Senator Graham's 
amendment was not germane-was upheld by a vote of 52-44.  That killed the 
Graham amendment.  Since the Democrat's amendment to add DREAM and AgJOBS 
was intended to amend the Graham amendment, once the Graham amendment was 
ruled out of order, the DREAM/AgJOBS amendment also died.

Portions of the Graham amendment having to do with resources for border 
enforcement and detention space did pass as an amendment to the DHS
spending 
bill.

Thank you for your help in defeating this anti-due process amendment. 
Unfortunately, there will be many more similar calls between now and the 
time Congress adjourns in October (or November).

Sincerely,

Maurice Belanger
Director of Public Information
National Immigration Forum
mbelanger at immigrationforum.org

Urgent Action Needed: Call Rep. Emanuel and the Democratic Leadership and 
Hold Them Accountable to Immigratn Communities!

A Message from the Center for Community Change,

The Washington Times confirmed on Wednesday that Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL),

part of the Democratic Leadership team and responsible for designing the 
Democratic Party's electoral strategy in the 2008 elections, said that a 
comprehensive immigration reform bill will not happen in the first term of
a 
Democratic Presidency, even if there were Democratic majorities in the
House 
and Senate.  To see the article, "Border Reform Not A Priority For 
Democrats," go to 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070725/NATION/107250079/1001.

Call the Democratic Leadership NOW and demand that Rep. Emanuel and the 
Democratic Party take a stand for immigrant communities.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel: 202-225-4061
Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 202-225-4965
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer: 202-225-4131
If your Representative is a Democrat, call them and demand that they carry

the message directly to Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Emanuel themselves.
Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Hazleton Anti-Immigrant Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional!

The Federal court handed down it's decision over an anti-immigrant
ordinance 
that was enacted in Hazleton, PA.  The ordinance was designed to punish 
landlord, employers and people perceived to be immigrants and had been 
copied by cities and towns around the nation.
For the full ruling, you can Go Here.
To see the CCIR Press Release about this, you can Go Here.

Sincerely,

The Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
 Tell-a-friend!

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for Coalition 
for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

http://www.facts-online.org/naoc_/join.html?r=8dqnxnE1qnIPE 


       
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