DREAM ACT update

While the Graham amendment to militarize the DREAM Act was taken off the table, the threat of further detention and militarization remains. Please continue to call your senators in opposition of including those.

"Update from AILA: The Senate just voted by 52-44 to sustain a ruling that the Graham amendment was not germane to the DHS appropriations debate. This means that we have dodged the horrible due process and detention “authorizing” language included in Graham’s amendment.

However, the Democrats and Republicans have reached a preliminary deal to include the funding portion of the amendment. It was very likely that the Democrats were going to be able to defend against the enforcement amendment so the Democrats accepted the funding as a compromise. Very unfortunately, the funding portion of the amendment may include 45,000 more detention beds, 23,000 border agents, and billions of dollars for enforcement. They are negotiating the text of the funding amendment now. Unfortunately, Dream and Agjobs are most likely off the table now."

DREAM Act and AgJobs CALL TODAY!

The Senate will vote TODAY on two amendments!
OPPOSE
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will offer the Border Security First Act of 2007 as an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 2638). This enforcement-only amendment would do nothing but add to the dysfunction of our system and the suffering of hard working immigrants. It must be OPPOSED!

SUPPORT
In response, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will offer a side-by-side amendment to the Graham amendment. This positive amendment would provide limited, targeted relief to deserving immigrant populations. However, we do not agree with increased militarization of the border as provided for in this amendment and must let our senators know so. SUPPORT!

Please CONTACT both as soon as possible
WAYNE ALLARD
(303) 220-7414
(202) 224-5941
allard.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

KEN SALAZAR
(866) 455-9866
(202) 224-5852
salazar.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Please call ... the vote could happen soon.

YOU COULD SAY:
My name is_______. I live in ________. I OPPOSE the Graham amendment that would:

1. Take away localities freedom to choose to be a "sanctuary city" and remove our right to ban law enforcement from collecting immigration status by penalizing our cities
2. Increased detention beds
3. Expedite removal
4. Indefinite detention
5. Expand "criminal aliens" definitions: Subjecting visa overstayers to mandatory detention, raising serious cost and constitutional concerns;
6. More money to flood the border with patrol agents and more National Guard on the border
7. Increased penalties for minor visa overstays

I SUPPORT the Reid side-by-side amendment that would:

1. Include the DREAM Act.I your support the option for college as a path to citizenship and support adding a community service path. Leaving military service as the only other option furthers the poverty draft.
2. Include AgJOBS , ensuring legal status for workers and stable labor for farmers.
3. BUT OPPOSE any further militarization of the border as provided for in the amendment.

Call your Senators and then call your friends and tell them about this Urgent Action Alert! Encourage them to take action on these important amendments!

The Senate continues debate

The senate will vote on Friday for cloture, to close the debate and then vote on the bill. If you haven't called your senators yet, now would be a good time to do so. Wayne Allard has been voting against any humanitarian amendments and for every detention provision. Salazar has been doing the opposite. There are 12 million people in our communities who will either be negated or affirmed in the next few days. Let's affirm them by calling our senators and asking them to support these core principles.

• Provide a Path to Permanent Resident Status and Citizenship for All Members of Our Communities.
• Reunite Families and Reduce Immigration Backlogs.
• Create a Worker Program that Protects the Rights and Dignity of Workers.
• Ensure that All Law Enforcement Entities Respect Human Rights and Civil Liberties.
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform Must Provide Clear Steps to Integrating Immigrants into All Facets of Community Life.
• Restore Fundamental Civil Rights.
• Protect the Rights of Refugees and Asylees.