WASHINGTON, D.C. — A set of guidelines issued by House Republicans called “The Standards for Immigration Reform” has been greeted with mixed reviews by Jewish organizations concerned with immigration.
HIAS, formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, said on Friday, Jan. 31, that it “welcomed the GOP Principles on Immigration Reform as an important first step towards addressing the broken U.S. immigration system. The principles provide a general outline of standards regarding border security, interior enforcement, reforms to the legal immigration system, and a way to address the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S.”
Mark Hetfield, HIAS’ President and CEO, was “encouraged to see Republican leadership finally discussing this issue in a serious way, but it concerns us that the principles do not include a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants—a policy we know is crucial to fixing our broken system. We clearly need to address future flows of migration, but the solution is not as simple as a temporary program for high-skilled workers. In accordance with today’s economic reality, we also need to set up legal channels to meet the need for low-skilled workers.”
Hetfield added, “As an organization deeply rooted in Jewish values, we support policies that fulfill the Torah’s mandate to ‘welcome the stranger.’ We look forward to working with Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle to ensure that our immigration system is reformed in a way that honors our American and Jewish values.”
Meanwhile the AJC (American Jewish Committee)’s Director of National and Legislative Affairs, Richard Foltin, said:
“We are glad that House Republicans are taking steps to move the legislative process forward on immigration reform. 2014 should be the year that this issue, so critical for American society, finally is resolved. But, of utmost concern, the principles fail to establish a clear and reasonable path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals in the United States,
“Moreover, the Republican principles would require the implementation of certain enforcement triggers before the undocumented could even live legally in the United States. Bringing these individuals out of the shadows and immediately giving them a legal status must be the first step in any immigration reform package.
“Family reunification is a core issue. Any immigration reform proposal must include positive reforms to make it easier for families to reunite with their loved ones.”
The AJC release said that “on the positive, the principles include important improvements to the U.S. immigration system, such as citizenship for undocumented youth who came to the U.S. at a young age, important updates for employment and temporary worker visas, and enforcement measures.
The House Republicans’ “Standards for Immigration Reform” follow:
Preamble
Our nation’s immigration system is broken and our laws are not being enforced. Washington’s failure to fix them is hurting our economy and jeopardizing our national security. The overriding purpose of our immigration system is to promote and further America’s national interests and that is not the case today. The serious problems in our immigration system must be solved, and we are committed to working in a bipartisan manner to solve them. But they cannot be solved with a single, massive piece of legislation that few have read and even fewer understand, and therefore, we will not go to conference with the Senate’s immigration bill. The problems in our immigration system must be solved through a step-by-step, common-sense approach that starts with securing our country’s borders, enforcing our laws, and implementing robust enforcement measures. These are the principles guiding us in that effort:
Border Security and Interior Enforcement Must Come First
It is the fundamental duty of any government to secure its borders , and the United States is failing in this mission. We must secure our borders now and verify that they are secure.
In addition, we must ensure now that when immigration reform is enacted, there will be a zero tolerance policy for those who cross the border illegally or overstay their visas in the future.
Faced with a consistent pattern of administrations of both parties only selectively enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, we must enact reform that ensures that a President cannot unilaterally stop immigration enforcement.
Implement Entry-Exit Visa Tracking System
A fully functioning Entry-Exit System has been mandated by eight separate statutesover the last 17 years. At least three of these laws call for this system to be biometric, using technology to verify identity and prevent fraud. We must implement this system so we can identify and track down visitors who abuse our laws.
Employment Verification and Workplace Enforcement
In the 21st century, it is unacceptable that the majority of employees have their work eligibility verified though a paper-based system wrought with fraud. It is past time for this country to fully implement a workable electronic employment verification system.
Reforms to the Legal Immigration System
For far too long, the United States has emphasized extended family members and pure luck over employment-based immigration. This is inconsistent with nearly every other developed nation.
Every year thousands of foreign nationals pursue degrees at America’s colleges and universities, particularly in high skilled fields. Many of them want to use their expertise in U.S industries that will spur economic growth and create jobs for Americans. When visas aren’t available, we end up exporting this labor and ingenuity to other countries. Visa and green card allocations need to reflect the needs of employers and the desire for these exceptional individuals to help to grow our economy.
The goal of any temporary worker program should be to address the economic needs of the country and to strengthen our national security by allowing for realistic, enforceable, usable, legal paths for entry into the United States.
Of particular concern are the needs of the agricultural industry, among others. It is imperative that these temporary workers are able to meet the economic needs of the country and do not displace or disadvantage American workers.
Youth
One of the great founding principles of our country was that children would not be punished for the mistakes of their parents. It is time to provide an opportunity for legal residence and citizenship for those who were brought to this country as children through no fault of their own, those who know no other place as home. For those who meet certain eligibility standards, and serve honorably in our military or attain a college degree, we will do just that.
Individuals Living Outside the Rule of Law
Our national and economic security depend on requiring people who are living and working here illegally to come forward and get right with the law. There will be no special path to citizenship for individuals who broke our nation’s immigrationlaws-that would be unfair to those immigrants who have played by the rules and harmful to promoting the rule of law.
Rather, these persons could live legally and without fear in the U.S., but only if they were willing to admit their culpability, pass rigorous background checks, pay significant fines and back taxes, develop proficiency in English and American civics, and be able to support themselves and their families (without access to public benefits). Criminal aliens, gang members and sex offenders and those who do not meet the above requirements will not be eligible for this program. Finally, none of this can happen before specific enforcement triggers have been implemented to fulfill our promise to the American people that from here on, our immigration laws will indeed be enforced.
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Preceding provided by HIAS and AJC