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Stay updated on the latest immigration advocacy news, learn about AILA's current priorities and message, and discover how you can take action to support comprehensive immigration reform.
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Immigration Advocacy Melina Roche, Grassroots Advocacy Associate mroche@aila.org Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
Agenda • The State of Play on Immigration • What to expect in 2016 • AILA’s Current Priorities & Message • What are your advocacy goals? • AILA’s Advocacy Tools & Tips • Moving forward and taking action! • National Day of Action 2016 Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
Administrative & Legislative Update • ICE Raids targeting Central American Families • Family Detention • U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program • Visa Waiver Program Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
AILA’s Priorities & Message ICE Raids targeting Central Americans • Jan. 4 – DHS announces apprehension of over 121 adults and children from Central America • House and Senate members have asked that President Obama stop the raids • Including 18 NY Representatives & Sen. Gillibrand • Apprehended families are being held in Dilley, TX • AILA opposes these harsh andinhumane enforcement tactics • www.aila.org/iceraids
AILA’s Priorities & Message Ending Family Detention • Apprehended children and mothers from recent raids are being detained in the family detention center in Dilley, Texas • On 8/21/15, U.S. Federal District Court Judge Gee upheld her July decision and ordered the government to release children and mothers in accordance with the Flores settlement agreement by October 23. • Currently the government is appealing this order
Ending Family Detention • Three quarters of House and Senate Democrats have called upon DHS to #endfamilydetention • AILAcontinues to keep pressure on the administration • Bottom line: • For more visit: www.aila.org/detention
AILA’s Priorities & Message U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program • The American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 (H.R. 4038) • House passed the bill in November • Senate blocked motion to proceed in January • AILAopposes any bill that would impose unworkable security measures on the screenings for refugees • www.aila.org/syrianrefugees
AILA’s Priorities & Message Visa Waiver Program • Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (HR 158) • House passed the bill in December • Bill was included in appropriations bill of 2016 • AILA opposes the bill, which categorical excluded nationals of Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Sudan, as well as any person who has traveled to those countries from the Visa Waiver Program. • A bipartisan bill has been introduced to remove the discriminatory dual nationality exclusion to the Visa Waiver Program. • www.aila.org/vwp
What Happened to Reform? For quick updates read AILA’s Immigration Politics 2016 http://www.aila.org/ip2016
The Future of Reform • 72% of Americans support path to legal status • Demographics: the growing Latino voting population • Every 30 seconds a Latino becomes eligible to vote that’s about 800,000 every year
What to Expect in 2016 • Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) “It starts with border enforcement…It starts with enforcing the rule of law. But you need to have a vibrant, legal immigration system.” – November 2015 • SCOTUS Decision on US vs Texas • 2016 Presidential Election
What are your advocacy goals? Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
How to be an Effective Advocate Easy ways to take action Available advocacy tools at AILA.org Advocacy/Media Center Advocacy Action Center AILA’s current advocacy initiatives Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
Advocacy Begins by Taking Action • Lawmakers need your first hand knowledge and expertise • They don’t know immigration law like you! • You have a unique perspective on how it impacts your state and community • Participate in AILA’s National Day of Action • Thursday, April 7, 2016 in Washington DC • Contact your legislators by: • E-mail or social media • Scheduling an in-person meeting
When: Thursday, April 7, 2016 Where:Capitol Hill Washington, DC Register: www.agora.aila.org/nda Registration is free and all are welcome! This election year, you have the opportunity to educate members of Congress and their staff about the problems plaguing our immigration system and explain why we need immigration reform, not rhetoric.
AILA’s Advocacy-Media Center http://www.aila.org/advo-media Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
AILA’s Advocacy Action Center • Send a prepared message to your legislator; OR • Write your own message • Be brief, direct, & courteous • Don’t forget to mention you’re a constituent
AILA’s Advocacy Action Center • Easy look up your legislator by state or address to find: • Legislator’s office and biographical info • Staff contact info • Social media profiles • Committees • Voting record on bills that AILA is tracking
More Advocacy Tools • Congressional “buddy” program – Establish and build a relationships with immigration caseworkers • Host a Congressional breakfast • Share case examples with AILA Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
Action Items http://www.aila.org/advo-media/tools/advocacy-made-easy Contact AILA’s Advocacy via advocacy@aila.org
AILA Advocacy Melina Roche, Grassroots Advocacy Associate mroche@aila.org advocacy@aila.org • Advocacy-Media Page www.aila.org/advo-media • Immigration Politics 2016 www.aila.org/ip2016 • What’s Happening in Congress http://www.aila.org/advo-media/whats-happening-in-congress