Immigration is one of the key issues facing all Americans. America needs a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that includes increased security, protection against illegal immigration, policies that have articulated objectives, and fair administration of our immigration system.
As we consider immigration reform, we must ensure:
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Earned access to lawful permanent resident status for persons currently in the United States that includes the unification of immigrant families,
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Education, job training, non-discriminatory employment and livable wages for all legal workers;
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Immigration regulations that will increase diverse immigration from historically underrepresented regions, such as the Caribbean and Africa; and
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Strong border security and comprehensive immigration reform.
We must tackle the challenge of immigration now, or it will haunt us for generations to come. Immigration not only affects our families, but it also affects the safety and security of our nation and the businesses of our country.
Caption for Photo: Congresswoman Kilpatrick joined Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Immigration Task Force, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14), Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, and Michigan's religious community to spearhead the “Family Unity” outreach tour. The community meeting at Greater Apostolic Faith Temple in southwest Detroit was part of a national effort aimed at documenting the need for immigration reform. (3/27/09)