| WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today said that unless
Congress acts to pass a permanent extension of Section 254(i) of the Immigration
and Naturalization Act, law abiding, hard working and taxpaying residents
could face deportation. By permanently extending this provision,
immigrants who have been in the United States for years and who meet certain
conditions, would be allowed to apply for legal status while remaining
in the United States with their families.
Congress
today passed a four-month extension of Section 245(i) as a part of the
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act. Schakowsky
said that while she supported this legislation because it included critical
measures to protect our borders, she was disappointed that the bill failed
to seriously reform the 1996 immigration law.
“A
245(i) provision helps people in this country who qualify for legal permanent
residency. It is not an amnesty, but rather a way for people with
deep roots in this country to reunite their families and work their way
towards citizenship and full participation in their adopted country. A
meaningful extension must go beyond 4 months and should not impose new
arbitrary requirements,” Schakowsky said.
She
added, “In December 2000, when Congress passed a 245(i) extension that
expired April 30, 2001, it took the INS over 3 months to issue the new
regulation, causing great panic and confusion among immigrants and creating
an opportunity for unscrupulous and fraudulent immigration ‘advisors’ or
notarios. I fear this four-month extension will create similar problems.
While this new provision will help some individuals and families, it is
insufficient in time and stingy in scope. ”
“A
permanent 245(i) extension is a goal that I will continue to pursue,
as well as fair and comprehensive solutions to our immigration policies,”
Schakowsky concluded. |
