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Church World Service Applauds Senate Defeat of Amendment That Would Have Prevented Social Security Credit for Newly Legalized Immigrants
May 22, 2006Agency Concerned About Bush's National Guard Border Security Plan
WASHINGTON -- Humanitarian agency Church World Service says it is "cautiously optimistic about President Bush's proposed plan for comprehensive immigration reform" and is applauding the defeat of an amendment to the bill proposed by Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign that would have prevented immigrants who legalize their status from getting Social Security credit for work while they were undocumented.
The Ensign amendment was one of a series of proposed amendments that Church World Service advocates are following as the Senate moves closer to its goal of May 29 passage of the bill.
Church World Service has hailed the Senate's approval of the portion of the bill that would give the 12 million estimated undocumented immigrants already in this country a path to citizenship. The agency has been an outspoken advocate for "compassionate comprehensive immigration reform" and is one of the nine voluntary agencies and one state agency that work with the Department of State to resettle refugees in the U.S.
Church World Service also voiced conditional approvals mixed with concerns in response to President Bush's address outlining his proposal last Monday.
In a statement issued after Bush's address, Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program Director Joseph Roberson voiced Church World Service’s concern over the proposal to use the National Guard on the border.
The White House wants up to 6,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to support Border Patrol operations and has sent to Congress a $1.9 billion budget request to cover the costs for the Guard force, for 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, and spending increases for other security programs.
"Church World Service welcomes the President's call for 'a rational middle ground' in response to the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States," Roberson said.
"We agree that we cannot unify by 'inciting to anger or exploiting for political gain'," said Roberson. " We hope the President will put all desire for political gain aside and remember 'what freedom meant' -- as he reminded Americans in his address -- as he works to pass sane, secure, compassionate immigration reform."
Bush's proposal has five objectives: secure borders; a temporary guest worker program; employer accountability; a "rational middle ground" for dealing with the 11 to 12 million undocumented migrants; and honoring the immigrant tradition of the United States.
Roberson said "The details of Bush's plan are yet to be finalized. We look forward to complete details on the temporary guest worker program and specifics on the path to legalization for undocumented migrants."
"A compassionate temporary guest worker program that assures workers' rights and human rights can help in stemming the flow of undocumented migrants. A tamper-proof ID card would, of course, be helpful," Roberson said.
"However, it is unfortunate that the President enforced the myth that the workers are to blame for working without documents. Twice during the speech he said that it was difficult for employers to know they had hired undocumented workers and therefore a tamper-proof card was needed."
Roberson noted that "If an honest discussion is held on undocumented immigration, it must be stated that the 1986 legislation, which required stiff penalties for employers who hired undocumented workers, has never been enforced. The migrants are not taking American jobs; the employers are giving them the jobs. This situation is compounded by the fact that fewer than two percent of employers hiring undocumented workers are penalized.
"Rather than excuse employers for their practices," he said, "the President could have recommended a program that places responsibility for the present situation where it lies. Enforcement of present laws would go a long way toward stemming the employment of undocumented workers."
CWS says it will closely monitor action in the Senate on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and is encouraging its constituents to communicate to their Senators, "to ensure that fair and comprehensive legislation is passed."
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