Immigration
The League’s Position
Statement of Position on Immigration, as Announced by National
Board, April 2008:
The League
of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote
reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and
employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing
political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be
made for qualified persons to enter the United States on student visas.
All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.
The League supports federal immigration law that provides an
efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal
entry of immigrants into the United States.
To complement these goals the League supports federal policies
to improve economies, education, job opportunities and living conditions
in nations with large emigrating populations.
In transition to a reformed system, the League supports
provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn
legal status
The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to
address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with
large immigrant populations.
Criteria for Legal
Admission to the United States
The League supports the following criteria for legal admission
of persons into the United States:
-
Family reunification of spouses or minor children with
authorized immigrants or citizens;
-
Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in
home countries;
-
Economic, business and employment needs in the Unites
States;
-
Education and training needs of the United States;
-
Educational program opportunities; and
-
Lack of a history of serious criminal activity.
Administration and
Enforcement
The League supports due process for all persons, including the
right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to
humane treatment.
The League supports:
-
Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of
employee status;
-
Verification documents, such as status cards and work permits,
with secure identifiers;
-
Significant fines and penalties for employers who hire
unauthorized workers;
-
Improved technology for sharing information among federal
agencies;
-
More effective tracking of individuals who enter the United
States; and
-
Increased personnel at borders.
The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to
enter and leave the United States to meet seasonal or sporadic labor
needs.
Unauthorized
Immigrants Already in the United States
In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system
for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status,
including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying
civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms,
including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not
support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of
criminal activity.
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