Immigrant Rights News - Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Immigrant Rights News – Wednesday, July 08, 2009

 

1. Washington Post: Task Force to Recommend Overhaul of U.S. Immigration System

2. Reuters: US Senate backs permanent immigration check program

 

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Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070800030.html

 

Task Force to Recommend Overhaul of U.S. Immigration System

 

By Spencer S. Hsu

Washington Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 12:10 AM

 

A bipartisan task force will recommend today that the United States overhaul its immigration system in response to national security concerns, saying that the country should end strict quotas on work-based immigrant visas to maintain its scientific, technological and military edge.

"The continued failure to devise and implement a sound and sustainable immigration policy threatens to weaken America's economy, to jeopardize its diplomacy, and to imperil its national security," concluded an independent Council on Foreign Relations panel, co-chaired by former Florida governor Jeb Bush (R) and former Clinton White House chief of staff Thomas V. "Mack" McLarty III.

The report comes as President Obama and Congressional Democrats say they expect to begin debate on a comprehensive immigration plan within a year. But key Republicans -- including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the 2008 Republican presidential nominee and co-sponsor of previous overhaul legislation -- have said a plan must include expanding temporary-worker programs. […]

 

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Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0837907620090708

 

US Senate backs permanent immigration check program

 

Wed Jul 8, 2009 3:27pm EDT

 

By Jeremy Pelofsky

 

WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - The Senate on Wednesday agreed to permanently adopt a program for verifying the immigration status of those seeking work in the United States, previewing what could be a fight over revamping the troubled immigration system this year.

 

The Senate agreed to make permanent the voluntary "E-Verify" program as part of a $42.9 billion bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal 2010.

 

The Obama administration had sought only a two-year extension of the program, which uses Social Security numbers and immigration records to verify immigration status. […]

 

 

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