Ask Congress to STOP Enforcement-Only Policies
September 6, 2007

September has arrived! Summer is over, school is back in session, and members of Congress have returned to DC after a month long recess back in their home districts.

Days before Congress left town in early August, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) introduced the Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 (S.1984), a Sensenbrenner-like enforcement only bill. Like George Orwell's classic novel, S.1984 takes a "Big Brother" approach to our border security. Among other provisions, this bill would authorize sizeable increases in enforcement personnel, fencing and surveillance technologies, as well as expand detention centers.

Border enforcement crackdowns, especially in the absence of immigration reform and mechanisms to ensure effective oversight and accountability over border security operations, compromise the welfare of border communities, migrants and immigrant families alike. The disconnect between reality and inside-the-beltway rhetoric was noted by Mayor John Cook of El Paso in a recent article in The Washington Post, ""Most people in Washington really don't understand life on the border?They don't understand our philosophy here that the border joins us together, it doesn't separate us." Mayor Cook's comments come at the end of an especially deadly summer in El Paso, where three migrants were shot and killed by Border Patrol agents since June. This escalating violence on the border further underscores that enforcement-only regulations like S.1984 are not the answer and we need your help to stop them.

The LAWG invites you to join American Friends Service Committee and partner organizations on September 6th and 7th to make our voices heard on border enforcement & immigration policy. Remember, Congress is just returning from recess, meaning that they have had ample time to hear from vocal constituents who support anti-immigrant and enforcement-only measures. It is time to combat those voices and promote constructive policies.

AFSC Action Alert (below) - Take Action Now!

The recently introduced Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 (S. 1984) focuses on punishing immigrant families, adding border fences, walls, and patrol agents, and increasing detention centers and deportations. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a new rule requiring employers who receive Social Security Administration (SSA) "no-match" letters to follow steps to prove that employees are authorized to work or risk liability. The policy misuses the letters, which are not intended for immigration enforcement, and could result in employment discrimination.

Congress has received thousands of calls supporting enforcement-only measures that will harm immigrants and refugees. We must let Senate leaders know that this flawed legislation and DHS policy will not fix the out-of-date immigration system.

On September 6th and 7th, AFSC invites you to use this toll free number 1-888-732-9404* to contact your Senators. Ask to be connected to your Senator's office and tell your Senator:

• Please say NO to S. 1984! - I urge you to oppose the Immigration Enforcement and Border Security Act of 2007 (S. 1984). More fences, walls, detention centers, agents and rounding up immigrants at their homes and workplaces are not the answer.
  
  
• Please SUPPORT Congressional oversight of DHS's SSA "no match" letter policy including employer liability for employment discrimination and the complaint process.
  
  
• Please say YES to constructive immigration reform that includes a path to permanent residency and citizenship, restores due process rights, stops the militarization of the southern border, and ensures humane policies that keep families together.

Lastly, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to Ellen Draeger. Ellen, a recent graduate of St. Olaf College, will be working with the LAWG U.S.-Mexico Border Program for the next year as part of the Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

* AFSC welcomes groups to circulate and use the toll-free number in support of non-partisan goals and without linking the alert to a website soliciting donations or actions which may be used to support partisan lobbying or work.