Legislation announced at immigration reform summit

Grassroots organizations, labor groups and

immigration advocates support bill

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.-4) joined community- and faith-based organizations, labor leaders, elected officials and policy experts Wednesday to discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the 108th Congress and to introduce new legislation to legalize the status of immigrants living in the United States without documentation.

"I am very pleased with the meaningful dialogue, productive discussion and significant progress made today," Gutierrez said. "People from across the country came together with the common goal of immigration reform and a cohesive agenda toward meeting that goal."

Democratic Caucus Chairman Bob Menendez and Representative Hilda L. Solis also participated in the event and expressed support for the participants and shared their vision for immigration reform.

During the summit, Gutierrez unveiled the Unity, Security, Accountability and Family Act (or the U.S.A. Family Act), legislation that would grant legal permanent residence to immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for five or more years. The bill also would provide conditional legal status and work authorization to all law-abiding immigrants living in the United States for less than five years.

In addition to creating a clear path to legalization, the legislation would revoke current provisions that bar certain people living abroad from re-entering the U.S. for a period of three to 10 years, as well as portions of the law that place immigrants at risk of deportation for having committed minor, non-violent offenses in the past.

"We can no longer refuse to recognize the realities of immigration," Gutierrez said. "The immigration system in this country is ill-prepared and too antiquated to deal with the needs and requirements of our workforce."

Gutierrez' bill acknowledges the enormous role that immigrants play in our nation's economic growth and creates a system for employers to legally and competently hire workers needed to operate their businesses.

The Labor Department estimates that the total number of jobs requiring only short-term training will increase from 53.2 million in 2000 to 60.9 million by 2010, a net increase of 7.7 million jobs.

The amount of native workers currently available and able to fill jobs that require short-term training continues to fall because of an aging workforce and rising education levels.

"All across the country immigrants are playing an important role meeting the demands of our workforce and making sure that jobs critical to our economic vitality get done," Gutierrez said.

According to a recent study by Northeastern University, immigrants accounted for more than half the growth in the nation's labor force during the past decade, filling openings in factories and textile mills, restaurants and other blue-collar industries.

The U.S.A. Family Act also would better protect our homeland by creating an improved system of accountability that would save the federal government billions of dollars each year in enforcement programs.

"The current system is failing our businesses," Gutierrez said. "The system is failing our economy and it is endangering the lives of thousands of men, women and children every year."

Gutierrez announced that his proposal has received the formal endorsement of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents more than 1.5 million working men and women, and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops.

"My proposal addresses the needs of all people who desire stable communities, a sustainable economy and a secure homeland," Gutierrez added. "It also reflects one underlying theme: unifying families. Keeping husbands and wives, parents and children together."

Earlier this month, Gutierrez, who chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Task Force on Immigration, introduced H.R. 200, the "U.S. Employee and Family Unity and Legalization Act" (U.S.E.F.U.L). The bill would grant legal permanent residence to immigrants through an immediate revision of the “date of registry,” a provision in current immigration law that allows people to apply for permanent resident status if they have entered the United States by a specific date.

"We will use the progress made today to build a powerful and effective grassroots movement in this country," added Gutierrez. "A movement that speaks with a strong and collective voice about the importance of immigration reform. Together, we will ensure that legalization is a top priority on our nation's agenda."

Congressman Luis Gutierrez, U.S. House of Representatives
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