April 2006

The US Senate is in it's second week of recess - which means they're at home to talk with constituents like you - and we still don't know whether they're going to take up immigration reform when they get back to Washington. But what's clear is that the massive marches and demonstrations last week are keeping the issue on the priority list here in DC. When Senators get back on April 24th, we need to make sure that they respond to pressure from their home states to resume the debate. Thanks to everyone who has participated in making these events such a huge success.

Disturbing New Data

April 1 marked the half way point in the Border Patrol's fiscal year (which begins October 1), and it is an important point to take a look at their data on migrant deaths at the border. After a record-setting 463 deaths last year, we're especially concerned about migrants and their safety as the summer approaches quickly.

The data that we recieved continues to show a skyrocketing of migrant deaths in just the first six months of the year. As of April 1, 132 migrants have died trying to enter the US. Last year, that number was 112, and just five years ago, that number was 69 - almost a doubling in five years.

The data also show us this: for the past five years, less than 25% of the years deaths took place in the first six months before April 1. If that statistic holds true, we could be facing a summer with 500-600 deaths total this year. We must push Congress to stop this tragedy at the border!

Messages to Congress

Your Senators and Representatives will be home for the next five days, which creates the perfect opportunity to contact them. Please take the time to send them this message:

• The deaths at the border are unacceptable and increasing - over 500 people could die this year. I am appalled by the humanitarian tragedy at the border.
• Border security without real immigration reform only forces migrants into the most hostile stretches of desert, where they die in increasing numbers.
• Congress must pass real immigration reform this year that provides a path to citizenship for the current undocumented living in the US, as well as for future flows of workers.
• Finish the debate and pass a bill this year that will allow migrants to enter our country safely and with dignity - end the deaths at our border!

As always, you can find the contact information for your Senators and Representatives at www.senate.gov or www.house.gov, including their in-state information.

I hope you will take the opportunity this week to get your elected officials attention while they are at home so that they can finish this important work when they get back to Washington.