Endorsin
order determined by social media popularity
g Organizations
National Council of La Raza (NCLR) 26,681 Facebook fans 21,765 Twitter followers
April 17, 2013 — NCLR (National Council of La Raza) applauded both the critically important breakthrough in the push for immigration reform and the members of the bipartisan group of senators known as the “Gang of Eight”—Michael Bennet (D–Colo.), Richard Durbin (D–Ill.), Jeff Flake (R–Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.), John McCain (R–Ariz.), Robert Menendez (D–N.J.), Marco Rubio (R–Fla.), and Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.)—who together introduced legislation today to overhaul the nation’s immigration system.
“This distinguished group of senators has shown extraordinary perseverance, thoughtfulness and courage in their months-long effort to bring about a solution to a national concern too long neglected. Their unity and ability to work together to find common ground in the face of an increasingly polarized political atmosphere should be a model for addressing our country’s challenges,” stated Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR.
“This legislation, while not perfect, is a monumental step forward in ensuring that this nation has a fair, humane and effective 21st-century immigration policy that serves our nation’s best interests and works for all Americans, including families, workers and businesses. It is especially important that this legislation includes a real roadmap for undocumented immigrants to earn legal status and eventual citizenship, one that is true to our nation’s history, our laws and our values,” continued Murguía.
“We urge policymakers to follow the example of these senators and work as quickly as possible to pass a bill. We would note that immigration is a galvanizing issue for the nation’s Hispanics, whose vote last November generated a game-changing moment for this debate, giving us an opportunity to arrive at a solution. Our community is engaged and watching this debate closely. As the legislation progresses, we will work to ensure that legalization is real, enforcement is accountable and families and workers are protected. We have cleared a substantial hurdle today, but we cannot rest until we see legislation signed into law,” concluded Murguía.
Hispanic Leadership Network 14,847 Facebook fans 2,702 Twitter followers
April 17, 2013 – The Hispanic Leadership Network (HLN) released the following statement from Executive Director, Jennifer S. Korn regarding the introduction of Senate immigration reform legislation.
“America’s legal immigration system is broken. We must protect America’s legacy as a nation of immigrants and as a nation of laws. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 is a strong conservative start to the immigration reform process.
“We need a lasting reform that overhauls our bureaucratic visa system, secures our borders, creates a temporary worker program, establishes a worker verification system, and allows the eleven million undocumented immigrants in our country to earn a legal status. We need an immigration system that reflects the needs of our economy and cuts the deficit. This is what the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 has brought us. I look forward to an open and honest legislative process.”
The Hispanic Leadership Network began its efforts in 2011 and strives to engage the Hispanic community on center-right issues that will restore opportunity and prosperity in America.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 9,365 Facebook fans 2,755 Twitter followers
April 17, 2013 - Today, a bipartisan group of senators who have been working for months on immigration reform legislation filed the first bill in decades that attempts to fix our nation’s broken immigration system with realistic and pragmatic measures. LULAC applauds the U.S. Senate’s “Gang of Eight” for introducing immigration legislation that offers a roadmap to citizenship for millions of hard-working immigrants who seek an opportunity at the American dream.
While the bill is not perfect LULAC is pleased with most of the provisions. It is obvious that both parties gave ground which is evidence of true compromise. LULAC is heartened that the DREAM students and agricultural workers will have a shorter path to citizenship in the proposed plan. LULAC has consistently advocated for a family reunification component as part of immigration reform and is concerned that the proposed bill scales back family-sponsored immigration by eliminating the ability to sponsor siblings, or children over the age of 30. Likewise, LULAC is dispirited that same-sex couples may not benefit from the proposed legislation; and is opposed to making the pathway to citizenship contingent on additional border enforcement measures which are a waste of taxpayer dollars. There is sufficient data to indicate that border states are already safe – in fact the safest in the country – and misspending billions on apprehension and enforcement is nothing but an expensive attempt to win over immigration opponents.
“Our nation urgently needs a bi-partisan effective and practical immigration system that will reflect the best of America's values,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “The bill that has been crafted by the “Gang of Eight” is a strong step in the right direction for our country, and our families. Fixing our broken immigration system is long overdue, as immigrants have always contributed to the fabric of this country, and eight in ten are in favor of establishing pathways to citizenship. Our country has always stood as a beacon of unbridled opportunity for those who work hard and play by the rules. We cannot simply close our doors to honest, hard-working people that have sought freedom or economic opportunities in this great nation.”
LULAC has a rich history of advocacy in civil rights, economic development, immigration and equal opportunity. LULAC is committed to the passage of fair and just immigration reform and will continue to ensure that the final bill positively impacts the 11 million undocumented immigrants that are living in the shadows of a nation that prides itself on hard work, freedom and liberty.
American Immigration Lawyers Association 6,823 Facebook fans 4,004 Twitter followers
April 17, 2013 - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) commends the Senate "Gang of Eight" for introducing its bipartisan immigration reform proposal, allowing the Senate Judiciary Committee to forge ahead on the "markup" process. A proposal like this is a necessary first step in any path forward to create a common-sense immigration system that will meet the needs of the U.S. economy, businesses, and families, and integrate into our society aspiring Americans who work hard and want only a better life for themselves and their families.
In many ways, the language contained in the 844 page legislation reflects key issues AILA sees as necessary to any successful immigration reform, such as border and interior enforcement, legalization, backlog reduction, asylum, family unification, and both current and future business needs.
"Is it perfect? No compromise measure ever is. Is it a good bill? Yes, for the most part it is, and perhaps it is even a great bill in some respects. We do see some further changes that are desirable, and as we delve more deeply into the details, I'm sure we'll find some needed tweaks. But as a framework for reform, this is closer than we've come in years to meaningful change," said AILA President Laura Lichter. She continued, "This bill does not shy away from addressing the difficult issues embedded in current immigration policy. It's a good start, and I hope that by continuing to work across the aisle, the Senate can pass a bill that will meet our nation's needs and the House will follow suit."
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) 11,748 Facebook fans 84 Twitter followers
4/17/2013 – The following statement can be attributed to Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, in response to today’s introduction in the Senate of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013:
“We applaud the introduction of this critical legislation to update our country’s immigration policies. We commend the Gang of Eight on their work to build consensus and bring forth thoughtful policy changes to address this important issue. The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 represents a major step forward to address our nation’s shortage of high-skilled workers. We look forward to working with the sponsors and the full Senate to ensure that the final bill incorporates key provisions that safeguard our ability to attract the best and brightest to come to the United States to work, to build businesses and to create American jobs.
“To ensure we maintain our competitive edge, CEA believes that enactment of the following policy principles are vital and central to strategic immigration reform: address the current shortage of high-skilled workers by increasing the number of H-1B visas available for high-skilled foreign workers; allow foreign-born, U.S.-educated immigrants to remain in America upon graduation with a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) graduate degree; and grant visas to foreign-born entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in the United States, provided they raise sufficient capital and hire American workers.”
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service 2,178 Twitter followers
April 17, 2013 by Linda Hartke
It’s my privilege to use this blog to lift up the voices of my colleagues. Today, as the new Senate bill (S.744) is unveiled, I’d like to share the thoughts of LIRS Interim Director for Access to Justice Megan Bremer. For additional analysis of S.744, please click here.
I welcome the new Senate bill’s inclusion of community-based support as an alternative to detention. Community-based support is a critical tool in the enforcement spectrum because it will promote integration and make our communities stronger. Of course, it always bears repeating that community-based programs should be used as an alternative to detention, not an alternative form of detention or custody.
I’m also excited by the way S.744, as the bill is called, expands the authority of officials within the immigration process to use alternatives based on individualized assessments. A broad spectrum of enforcement tools enables the government to supervise individuals who are awaiting decisions on their immigration applications in a manner that is more humane and cost-effective than detention alone. The dismantling of categorical mandates for detention, which create unjustified expenses and violate international law, is a smart fix for a broken enforcement system. S.744 is a step in the right direction, and therefore one we applaud.
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) 622 Facebook fans 1,562 Twitter followers
(April 16, 2013) - Following the announcement of the most substantive immigration reform plan in almost thirty years, Rob Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, releases the following statement:
"We commend the bipartisan group of Senators, known as the "Gang of Eight," for taking on this critical task and creating a comprehensive package that will address the central immigration challenges America faces, while also enhancing economic competitiveness.
In particular, the inclusion of specific measures to enhance high skill immigration, including an easier path to green cards for foreign recipients of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate degrees and nearly doubling the H-1B Visa cap will greatly improve access to highly skilled technology workers in key industries. As we have noted in Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage, the United States is in an increasingly robust competition with nations around the globe for the best talent and technical capacity, and America risks falling further behind economically if we do not improve the environment necessary to draw the world's best engineers, scientists and innovators to our shores.
However, we cannot rely on high skilled immigrants forever, which is why ITIF has advocated for a dedicated fund, using H1-B Visa fees paid by companies, to enhance domestic training and education programs in STEM fields. This would provide a constant funding stream, in a time of budget austerity, to directly address our high skill worker shortage, while also spurring further technological innovation, business creation and overall economic growth.
As Congress begins its deliberations regarding the reform package we urge legislators to recognize the impact STEM training and education has on innovation and competitiveness and include a substantial dedicated fund in the final legislation that is adopted."
Engine Advocacy 484 Facebook fans 1,012 Twitter followers
This comprehensive immigration reform bill supports domestic growth and American competitiveness in the global economy, by making it easier for high-skilled workers to join the American economy, build business here, and drive growth.
On behalf of the startup community, I urge the full Senate to support domestic growth and American competitiveness in the global economy, and pass this historic piece of legislation.
New and young firms are responsible for all new net job growth since 1980, according to research from the Kauffman Foundation. In addition, Engine Advocacy’s Tech Works research projected that for every job created in the high-tech sector, 4.3 additional jobs will be created in the local goods and services economy, including barbers, lawyers, and health care professionals. Finally, with 40% percent of Fortune 500 companies founded by immigrants, or the children of immigrants, it’s critically important that we safeguard the ability of the next generation of founders to start business here.
The proposed INVEST visa will directly benefit immigrant founders and entrepreneurs who want to start a business here, and already have the support of local venture capitalists. In addition, raising the H-1B visa cap, and expanding the green card system with merit-based visas for high-skilled immigrants, will also make it easier for startups to employ much needed workers.
Thoughtful immigration reform is essential to ensuring continued successes in the startup economy, and in turn the health of the U.S. economy as a whole. Under the current system we are losing out to other countries who are welcoming American-taught talent with open arms.
Startups can power the next generation of growth in the American economy if we let them.
Bring this bill to a vote and make it law.
More Info: Keep Us HereNational Association of Graduate-Professional Students 249 Twitter followers
NAGPS supports this bill because it creates an increase in visas and green cards for highly-skilled advanced degree students. It also creates a shorter pathway to citizenship for our nation's DREAM Act students.
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