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FIRM Principles Sign-On Letter

By February 21, 2007No Comments

January 9, 2007

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                           The Honorable Harry Reid
Speaker                                                       Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives                        U.S. Senate
H-232 US Capitol                                           528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515                                  Washington, DC 20510
                                                
                                                
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid:  

As an alliance of our country’s leading immigrant rights coalitions, organizations and allies, we thank you for all your hard work over the course of the 109th Congress to secure comprehensive immigration reform. 2006 has been a pivotal year in advocating and organizing for truly just and humane immigration reform legislation. It is a year that is marked by the historic mobilization of immigrants and their supporters throughout the nation followed by the unprecedented increase in the civic participation of immigrant voters.

This year we look to the 110th Congress presenting new opportunities to pass immigration reform legislation that contain the following elements:

1)        Clean, inclusive, earned legalization – including the DREAM Act and AgJOBS Bill – that
                is not tiered, serves all currently residing undocumented immigrants, does not include
                any retroactive exclusion provisions, and that does not exclude persons with
                outstanding deportation orders or persons who have committed document fraud
2)        Family reunification and an end to backlogs
3)        Job training resources for low-income, native born workers so the entire workforce
                benefits from immigration reform
4)        Clear separation of authority between federal and local law enforcement
5)        Any worker visa program must provide strong worker protections that include the
                right to change jobs and the opportunity to gain US citizenship
6)        Strengthen the enforcement of existing labor laws regardless of immigration status,
                including additional funds to the Department of Labor to enforce wage and hour laws.  
                Until complete accuracy of data is ensured and safeguards are in place preventing
                discrimination and abuse, the use of SSA no match letters or other employment
                verification should be prohibited.  Employers should not be a proxy for immigration
                enforcement nor should employment verification systems be used in order to take
                adverse job actions where there is a labor dispute  
7)        Facilitation of immigrant integration through increased resources for English as a
                Second Language classes, naturalization and legal services, rolling back increases in
                application fees and simplifying the application process for naturalization
8)        Ensure civil rights and due process for all immigrants, and restore judicial and
                administrative discretion
9)        Through immigration law reform and improvements in the management of the
                immigration system, decrease the need for mass detention, detention centers and
                detention beds. Where detention is deemed necessary, keep detainees as close to
                families and legal representation as possible, defend against indefinite detention,
                support parole of detainees, codify detention standards and post 9/11 detention
                issues of reforming material witness laws, develop alternatives to detention, and
                establish clear oversight authority that includes community participation to ensure
                due process, civil and human rights standards are met
10)        Mechanisms for accountability that halt the escalation of militarization on the border,
                end the senseless death of people trying to cross, incorporate broader training for
                enforcement officials, reduce violence from smugglers against migrants and
                border residents, and protect fragile ecosystems along the border
11)        Restore the number of refugees that enter the United States to pre 9-11 levels

As comprehensive immigration reform legislation is drafted in the months ahead, we look forward
to working with your offices to make sure the rights and opportunities of all immigrants are
guaranteed.  

Our organizations and allies are committed to implementing a field strategy that amplifies the voice of the community in support of the principles above.

Sincerely,

Organization         State

Asociación Salvadoreña de Alabama        Alabama
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama        Alabama
Arizona Coalition for Migrant Rights        Arizona
5.18 People’s Uprising Commemoration Committee         California
African Community Resource Center        California
Antioch Korean Christian Community Church        California
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC)        California
Asian Pacific Coalition (University of California-Los Angeles)        California
Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Fair Immigration Reform (Southern California)        California
Asian Pacific Student Association, Loyola Marymount University        California
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA)        California
Chinatown Service Center        California
Church of Peace (PCUSA)        California
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice of California        California
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles        California
Colombianos en Acción        California
Dolores Mission Church        California
Enlace        California
Global Exchange        California
Good Friend Mission         California
Good News Presbyterian Church of San Francisco (PCUSA)        California
HanNuRi Korean American Cultural Troupe        California
Illegality Preventive Christian Connection         California
Immigrant Legal Resource Center        California
Justice Overcoming Boundaries/Gamaliel Foundation        California
Khmer Girls in Action (KGA)        California
KOA Dance Federation        California
Korean Alliance for Peace and Justice         California
Korean Dry Cleaners – Laundry Association of Southern California        California
Korean Resource Center (KRC)        California
Korean Senior Citizen Mutual Club        California
Korean Westminster Presbyterian Church        California
Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance        California
Legal Services for Children        California
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC)        California
Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance        California
Proyector Pastoral at Dolores Mission        California
South Bay Ko-Am Senior Center, Inc        California
University of Southern California, Asian Pacific American Student Assembly        California
Young Koreans United (YKU) of Los Angeles        California
Young Koreans United (YKU) of USA        California
Basil Doc’s Pizza, LLC        Colorado
Centro Humanitario Para Los Trabajadores        Colorado
Colorado Democratic Latino Initiative        Colorado
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition        Colorado
Colorado Progressive Action        Colorado
Colorado Progressive Coalition        Colorado
Confianza-an Association of Latino Ministers        Colorado
Dignity through Dialogue and Education        Colorado
El Centro AMISTAD        Colorado
Free A Child        Colorado
Latin American Research and Service Agency        Colorado
Los Pobres, Inc.        Colorado
Padres/Jovenes Unidos        Colorado
Rights for All People        Colorado
SLV Immigrant Resource Center        Colorado
Junta for Progressive Action         Connecticut
United Action Connecticut/Gamaliel Foundation        Connecticut
African Resource Center        District of Columbia
National Capital Immigrant Coalition        District of Columbia
American Friends Service Committee, Florida        Florida
C.O.D.I. Centro de Orientacion al Immigrante        Florida
Farmworker Association of Florida        Florida
Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center        Florida
Florida Immigrant Coalition        Florida
For The Children, Inc        Florida
Guatemalan Unity Information Agency        Florida
Haitian Women of Miami        Florida
People Acting for Communities Together        Florida
Unite for Dignity        Florida
We Count!        Florida
ABLE/Gamaliel Foundation        Georgia
Atlanta Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association        Georgia
Coalicion de Lideres Latinos-CHILA        Georgia
Korean-American Association of Greater Atlanta (KAAGA)        Georgia
Korean-American Information Technology Professionals Association (KATPA)        Georgia
LULAC Georgia Housing Commission        Georgia
Faith Action for Community Equity        Hawaii
Idaho Community Action Network        Idaho
Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment        Illinois
Asian American Institute        Illinois
Chicago Irish Immigrant Support        Illinois
Chinese American Service League        Illinois
Community Health Partnership        Illinois
Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago        Illinois
Council on American Islamic Relations – Chicago        Illinois
Dominican Literacy Center        Illinois
East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center        Illinois
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago        Illinois
Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services        Illinois
Hanul Family Alliance         Illinois
Holy Family Church Immigration Services        Illinois
Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health        Illinois
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights        Illinois
Immigration Project        Illinois
Interfaith Leadership Project        Illinois
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs        Illinois
Korean American Community Services        Illinois
Korean American Community Services        Illinois
Korean American Resource and Cultural Center        Illinois
Korean American Women In Need        Illinois
Latin Americans United        Illinois
Latino Organization of the Southwest of Chicago        Illinois
Logan Square Neighborhood Association        Illinois
Office of Hispanic Catholics – Vicariate 1        Illinois
Organization of the NorthEast        Illinois
Pilsen Neighbors Community Council/Gamaliel Foundation        Illinois
Polish American Association        Illinois
Sierra Leone Community Association of Chicago         Illinois
South Suburban Action Conference/Gamaliel Foundation        Illinois
The Immigration Project        Illinois
The Southwest Organizing Project        Illinois
United African Organization        Illinois
Gloria Mendez, Farmers Insurance        Iowa
La Bilingue, LLC        Iowa
National Catholic Rural Life Conference        Iowa
Network Against Human Trafficking        Iowa
Quad Cities Interfaith/Gamaliel Foundation        Iowa
Sky Mortgage        Iowa
Southwest Iowa Latino Resource        Iowa
St. Mary Hispanic Ministry in Marshalltown        Iowa
United for the Dignity and Safety of Immigrants        Iowa
Hispanos Unidos Northeast Wichita Chapter        Kansas
Hispanos Unidos Southwest Kansas Chapter        Kansas
Hispanos Unidos Wichita Chapter        Kansas
MORE2/Gamaliel Foundation         Kansas
Peace and Social Justice Center of South Central Kansas        Kansas
Sunflower Community Action        Kansas
Kentucky Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform        Kentucky
Lexington Hispanic Association         Kentucky
Maxwell Street Legal Clinic        Kentucky
Centro Latino Maine        Maine
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project        Maine
Main Council of Churches        Maine
Maine Civil Liberties Union        Maine
Maine Civil Liberties Union        Maine
Maine Council of Churches        Maine
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition        Maine
Maine People’s Alliance        Maine
Mano en Mano (Hand in Hand)        Maine
NAACP Portland Branch        Maine
Casa of Maryland, Inc.        Maryland
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service        Maryland
St. Matthew Church, Immigration/Detention Committee        Maryland
Agencia ALPHA        Massachusetts
American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts        Massachusetts
Anti-Displacement Center        Massachusetts
Audrey M. Robert – International Institute of Boston        Massachusetts
Berkshire Immigrant Center        Massachusetts
Bishop Filipe C. Teixeira, OFSJC        Massachusetts
Brazilian Immigrant Center        Massachusetts
Brazilian Women’s Group        Massachusetts
Center for Haitian American Civic Rights, INC        Massachusetts
Centro Presente        Massachusetts
Christian Church New Life         Massachusetts
Community Action Agency of Somerville        Massachusetts
Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts        Massachusetts
Diocese of Saint Francis of Assisi, CCA        Massachusetts
Doctors for Global Health        Massachusetts
Dominican Development Center Massachusetts        Massachusetts
East Boston Ecumenical Community Council        Massachusetts
El Comite Centroamericano de Emergencia en Massachusetts (CCEMA)        Massachusetts
Guatemala Solidarity Committee Boston        Massachusetts
Immigrant Assistance Center        Massachusetts
Immigrant Information Center        Massachusetts
Immigration Pastoral Center, Inc.        Massachusetts
Irish Immigration Center Boston        Massachusetts
Jewish Vocational Services of Boston        Massachusetts
Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts        Massachusetts
Lowell Community Health Center        Massachusetts
LULAC Metrowest Massachusetts        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Alliance of Portugese Speakers        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Asian & Pacific Islanders for Health        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Coalition for Occupation, Safety and Health (MassCOSH)        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Communities Action Network        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition        Massachusetts
Massachusetts Jobs with Justice        Massachusetts
MassVOTE, the Massachusetts Voter Education Network        Massachusetts
Northeast Action        Massachusetts
Office of Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo        Massachusetts
One Lowell        Massachusetts
Proyecto Hondureno        Massachusetts
Roca, INC        Massachusetts
Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield        Massachusetts
The Frosina Information Network        Massachusetts
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services        Michigan
MI Voice Michigan/Gamaliel Foundation        Michigan
Michigan Organizing Project        Michigan
MOSES/Gamaliel Foundation        Michigan
Hispanic Ministry Leadership Team, Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis        Minnesota
ISAIAH/Gamaliel Foundation        Minnesota
Korean Quarterly        Minnesota
Metropolitan Congregations United/Gamaliel Foundation        Missouri
Montana People’s Action        Montana
Center for Service and Justice, Creighton University        Nebraska
El Centro de las Americas        Nebraska
Justice for Our Neighbors         Nebraska
Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest        Nebraska
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada        Nevada
New Hampshire Immigrant Rights Task Force        New Hampshire
African Services Committee        New York
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee New York Chapter        New York
Arab American Association of New York        New York
ARISE/Gamaliel Foundation        New York
Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition        New York
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice        New York
Latin American Integration Center        New York
Long Island Immigrant Alliance        New York
Long Island Organizing Network/Gamaliel Foundation        New York
Make the Road by Walking        New York
New York Immigration Coalition        New York
Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights        New York
NYC AIDS Housing Network        New York
Talat Hamdani        New York
The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring        New York
YKASEC – Empowering the Korean American Community        New York
North Carolina Latino Coalition         North Carolina
CAUSA        Oregon
Latinos Unidos Siempre        Oregon
Oregon Action        Oregon
Oregon Farmworker Ministries        Oregon
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste        Oregon
Rural Organizing Project        Oregon
Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality        Oregon
Day Without an Immigrant Coalition        Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition        Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network/Gamaliel Foundation        Pennsylvania
The Shalom Center        Pennsylvania
Korean Americans for Just Immigration Reform (KAJIR)        Pennsylvania
Korean Alliance for Peace & Justice – Philadelphia chapter        Pennsylvania
International Institute of Rhode Island        Rhode Island
Coalition for New South Carolinians        South Carolina
Asociacion Latina of Tennessee        Tennessee
Conexion Americas        Tennessee
El Crucero (Latino Newspaper in Nashville)        Tennessee
Mid-South Interfaith Network for Economic Justice        Tennessee
Race Relations Center of East Tennessee, Inc.        Tennessee
Shelby County Mayor on Hispanic Affairs        Tennessee
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition        Tennessee
Workers Defense Project        Texas
Boat People SOS        Virginia
Empower Hamptons Roads/Gamaliel Foundation        Virginia
Tenants and Workers Support Committee        Virginia
Asian Counseling and Referral Services (ACRS)         Washington
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Washington State         Washington
Hate Free Zone        Washington
Indo Chinese Cultural and Service Center         Washington
Korean Women’s Association of Washington State        Washington
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project        Washington
Washington Community Action Network        Washington
Club San Sebastian        Wisconsin
ESTER/Gamaliel Foundation         Wisconsin
Federacion de Oaxaquenos del Medio Oeste        Wisconsin
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin         Wisconsin
JOB/Gamaliel Foundation        Wisconsin
JOSHUA/Gamaliel Foundation        Wisconsin
Milwaukee Interfaith Coalition Allied for Hope/Gamaliel Foundation        Wisconsin
Peace Action Wisconsin        Wisconsin
The Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin        Wisconsin
Voces de la Frontera        Wisconsin
WISDOM/Gamaliel Foundation        Wisconsin
        
Organization        Regional/National
Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO)        Regional
American Families United        National
Breakthrough:  Building Human Rights Culture        National
Center for Community Change        National
Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM)        National
Gamaliel Foundation        National
National Alliance of Latinamerican and Caribbean Communities (NALACC)        National
National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum        National
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development         National
National Council of Jewish Women        National
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)        National
National Immigrant Solidarity Network        National
National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC)        National
National Network for Arab American Communities        National
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT)        National
Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC)        National
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society        National
UniteFamilies.org        National
Workers’ Centers Network, Interfaith Worker Justice        National
        
Individuals        State
Dr. Richard Moreno        Colorado
Carmela G. Alden        Iowa
Marty Deputy         Kentucky

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