Sample Immigration Letter - Senate Immigration Reform
Your Name & Address Here
May 21, 2007
Dear Senator,
As someone who works with the Jesuits of the California Province of the Society of Jesus, I urge you to support comprehensive immigration reform as outlined by the US Catholic bishops in the Justice for Immigrants campaign. While the "compromise legislation" announced last week provides a good start for discussion and debate on what a comprehensive reform might look like, I urge you to endorse legislation that includes each of the following elements:
- The preservation of family unity in our immigration system, especially for current immigrants who apply for a 'Z-visa.'
- A new worker program of 400,000 visas with full worker protections for these workers, including a portable visa and mobility back to their home countries, including a preference for family unity.
- A reasonable opportunity for future immigrant workers who are admitted with a 'Y-visa' to apply for citizenship, including lower-income and lesser-skilled immigrants.
- The restoration of due process for all immigrants.
The social tradition of my faith has instilled within me a deep respect for the inherent dignity of each human individual. For this reason I believe that any legalization program and new worker program must include a path to citizenship for those who are eligible. Otherwise, we will create a permanent underclass of persons in this country as well as unintended social consequences in our immigrant communities, further pushing people into the shadows of our society.
Families are the backbone of all human communities, and are particularly vital to the well-being of newly-arrived immigrants, as family members are able to help one another assimilate into their new culture and communities. Immigrant families start new businesses, reduce government dependency among their members, and promote good stewardship and citizenship. As the backbone of our society, families should be strengthened and solidified, not separated and discouraged.
Regarding a path to citizenship for future "temporary workers," the points-system proposed in the compromise legislation skews the immigration system to prefer the well-off over those in real economic need. Limiting the economic contributions of low-income immigrants to a period of a few years fails to provide businesses with worker continuity they seek, nor does it foster economic development among poor immigrants that could substantially reduce the future flow of immigrants to our country. Without a path to citizenship, low-income and low-skilled labors will be exploited by businesses seeking a permanent and docile supply of minimum-wage labor.
The only real solution to our country's immigration problems is through a comprehensive approach that includes a legalization program which is workable and achievable; establishes a new worker program with appropriate worker protections and a path to citizenship; values the preservation of family unity in our immigration system; and restores due process to all immigrants. I hope that you agree. I am asking you to do all that you can to push comprehensive immigration reform forward.
Thank you for considering my views.
Sincerely,
Your Name