Washington, DC - Saying a Republican immigration proposal that helps both
legal and illegal immigrants is a good first step in addition to, not instead
of, a Democratic proposal that provides much-needed relief for deserving
immigrants, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) today called
on President Clinton and leaders of the Senate and House to negotiate a
reasonable agreement that will help long-time immigrants and their families
become permanent residents.
"We embrace the Legal Immigration Families Equity Act (LIFE) sponsored by
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that, among other provisions, would help some of
the individuals wrongly denied legalization in the mid-1980s, and spouses and
minor children of legal permanent residents who have waited more than three
years for their permanent residency. But the fact remains that LIFE does not
go far enough," said Jeanne A. Butterfield, AILA's Executive Director. It
offers nothing for the spouses and children of U.S citizens, and offers no
relief for the valued employees of businesses, and is silent on the unequal
treatment of refugees now residing in the U.S.
Butterfield commended LIFE, which was included in the Commerce, Justice and
State appropriations bill approved last week by the House and Senate, for
helping people who are here both legally and illegally. She noted that about
half of the 700,000 people who would benefit under the LIFE provision for
spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents are here illegally.
Further, immigration experts estimate that up to 70% of the 1,000,000 people
helped by the LIFE provision pertaining to those wrongly denied legalization
in the 1980s also entered the U.S. illegally.
Those helped by the LIFE proposal are long-time, contributing members of
society who have family and business ties here and merit relief. Key employer
groups, including the National Restaurant Association, note that stabilizing
and regularizing their workforces is essential for America's continued
economic growth.
Ms. Butterfield made her remarks at a Capitol Hill press conference convened
by representatives of the National Council of La Raza, the National
Restaurant Association, the National Immigration Forum, along with AILA. All
these organizations, among others, endorse S. 2912, the Latino and Immigrant
Fairness Act (LIFA), sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Bob
Graham (D-FL). Other political leaders supporting LIFA include President
Clinton, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and former Republican vice presidential
candidate Jack Kemp.
"LIFA helps specifically targeted groups of long-term, contributing
immigrants apply for permanent residency. It is not blanket amnesty. Rather,
LIFA offers benefits to people who are here both legally and illegally, as
does the Hatch proposal," Butterfield said.
LIFA specifically would allow all victims of the INS' misinterpretations of
the 1986 legalization program, plus their immediate family members, to apply
for green cards. It also would extend NACARA to people fleeing civil strife
and war, thereby correcting past discriminatory treatment of refugees.
Finally, it would restore Section 245(i), thereby allowing individuals who
are eligible for immigrant visas after being sponsored by a close family
member or an employer to finish the process here, rather than being forced to
leave the U.S. for up to 10 years.
"The Administration and Republican leaders are not that far apart on policy.
Their differences are rhetorical. Both proposals would benefit immigrants who
have been in legal but vulnerable status, as well as those who are here
illegally. Both merit Congressional approval. LIFA and LIFE combined would
provide stability and relief to hundreds of thousands of long-term,
tax-paying immigrants and their families and employers. We urge leaders on
all sides to turn down the volume and negotiate a positive agreement,"
Butterfield said.
