Public Policy | Key Issues
IMMIGRATION REFORM
BACKGROUND
A protracted, heated debate on immigration policy occupied the U.S. Congress during much of 2005 and 2006. Policy makers struggled with balancing America’s national security needs in the wake of September 11, 2001 with addressing the plight of illegal immigrants in a just, compassionate way.
Jewish religious and ethical values provide a firm foundation for Jewish involvement in immigration and refugee policy. Central Jewish teachings emphasize protection of the stranger, principles of Piddyon Shevuyim (redeeming the captive), Chesed (kindness), and Hachnasat Orchim (hospitality) that create a solid framework for a compassionate response to the needs of immigrants and refugees.
Based on these core values, the Jewish immigrant experience, and the recognition that other immigrants would bring meaningful benefits to American society, the Jewish community has – over its 350 years on American shores – been actively engaged in the struggles of new immigrants and the development of the nation’s immigration policy.
WHERE WE STAND
In October 2006, the Jewish Community Relations Council adopted the following policy:
The Jewish Community Council supports compassionate, earned legalization and a systematic, fair path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Council shall take advocacy positions on immigration policy with the goal of fashioning an immigration system that facilitates legal status and family unity in the interest of protecting the dignity and civil liberties of all people.
• Council supports comprehensive immigration reform that:
1. Provides a systematic, fair path to citizenship for undocumented
residents who are working, paying taxes and contributing to our
society.
2. Ensures swift family reunification.
3. Prevents the exploitation of undocumented immigrant workers and
protects the labor rights and human rights of all immigrants.
4. Ensures that humanitarian workers and others who provided needed
support and services to undocumented immigrants are not
criminalized.
• Council supports the advancement of firm, reasoned policies that protect
homeland security, but opposes measures which stigmatize immigrants or
undermine civil liberties.
• Council opposes policy measures that, without appropriate safeguards,
seek to expand the authority of state and local officials to enforce
immigration law violations.
• Council supports asylum policies that protect those fleeing from
persecution.
TAKE ACTION
TALKING POINTS
Tell your legislator that you would like to see an immigration policy that includes the following:
• An opportunity for hard-working immigrants who are already contributing to this
country to come out of the shadows, regularize their status upon satisfaction of
reasonable criteria and, over time, pursue an option to become lawful
permanent residents and eventually United States citizens.
• Reforms in our family-based immigration system to significantly reduce waiting
times for separated families who currently wait many years to be reunited.
• The creation of legal avenues for workers and their families who wish to
migrate to the U.S. to enter our country and work in a safe, legal and orderly
manner with their rights fully protected.
• Border protection policies that are consistent with humanitarian values and with
the need to treat all individuals with respect, while allowing the authorities to
carry out the critical task of identifying and preventing entry of terrorists and
dangerous criminals, as well as pursuing the legitimate task of implementing
American immigration policy.
WHERE WE STAND
SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING
CHURCH-STATE SEPARATION
ANTI-SEMITISM
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