Public Policy & Legislation
Below are several bills supporting immigrant justice that have been recently introduced into the 111th Congress. Download a blank petition sheet (Excel) (PDF) and modify it to focus on the bill of your choice. Check OpenCongress or Thomas to check if your Congressional representatives are already co-sponsors of the bill you are supporting. Have your social action committee or minister write a cover letter (PDF) in support of the bill, and bring the cover letter and petition sheets to a coffee hour, potluck, or other congregational gathering. Collect signatures and mail or fax them with the cover letter to your representative.
- S. 1085; HR 2709: Reuniting Families Act
This bill includes various reforms that would facilitate the reunification of families. The House bill, introduced by Rep. Honda (CA-D), includes the Uniting American Families Act, which would allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor same-sex partners for immigration. Email Congress in support of HR 2709.
- HR 1215: Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act
Representative Roybal-Allard’s (CA-34) proposed legislation will improve detention conditions, protect immigrant children, and create alternatives for incarceration. This legislation is aimed primarily at the general immigrant population—people seeking new lives in the United States, or those who are fleeing persecution in their native countries—rather than at people who may be considered a threat to the United States.
- HR 182: Child Citizen Protection Act
Representative Serrano's (NY-16) proposed legislation amends the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to allow immigration judges to take the welfare of a citizen child into consideration and prevent the deportation of undocumented parents when deemed to be in the child's best interests. Email Congress in support of HR 182.
- HR 1024: Uniting American Families Act
Representative Nadler's (NY-8) proposed legislation will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor same-sex partners for immigration.
- HR 2076: Border Security and Responsibility Act 2009
Representative Grijalva (AZ-7) proposed legislation will allow land managers, local officials, and local communities to have a say in border security decisions, and ensure that laws intended to protect air, water, wildlife, culture, and health and safety are fully upheld.
See information about the differences between federal, state, and local immigration policy.
For more information contact la_racialjustice @ uua.org.
Last updated on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.
