As the Debate Re-ignites, Prominent Jewish Leaders Urge Congress to Pass Fair and Workable Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Posted on Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 11:30 am
(Washington, D.C.)– More than 30 prominent leaders in the American Jewish community sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to pass fair and workable immigration reform, and to conduct the debate in a respectful and civil manner that will counter anti-immigrant bigotry.
The letter, spearheaded by HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was signed by David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee; Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League; and Howard Rieger, president and CEO of United Jewish Communities; among other leaders of prominent national and local organizations.
As Congress is about to consider comprehensive immigration reform, prominent Jewish leaders from around the country are speaking out about the need to reform the United States’ immigration system in a way that makes the country stronger and safer.
“It’s really crucial that Democrats and Republicans work together so we can cross the finish line this year with a bill that is both humane and practical,” says Lisa Shuger, director of HIAS’ Washington, D.C. office. “Tensions have already surfaced over what is likely to be the most contentious issue in the debate – whether or not those coming in the future to work should be given a path to citizenship and how many can get on that path, as well as how to craft a workable legalization program for the 12 million undocumented immigrants already here.”
It is critical, says Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS, that the Jewish community’s perspective is heard on immigration reform. “Our message is one of principle, reason, and compassion. We believe America can have an immigration system that simultaneously and humanely addresses border security, the rule of law, and our historic values as a welcoming nation.”
The letter reads, in part, “As leaders of Jewish community organizations, we look both to the teachings of our Jewish religious and ethical tradition, and to core American values relating to immigrants, for guidance on immigration reform.” The letter continues by calling on Congress “to ensure that any bill aiming to reform our immigration system preserves the United States' longstanding commitment to provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution.”
Full text of the letter sent to Speaker Pelosi:
*For a copy of the letters sent to House Minority Leader Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and Senator Minority Leader McConnell, please email Candice.knezevic@hias.org
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
With the House of Representatives preparing to consider legislation to address the complex problems of undocumented migration to the United States and legalization for the 12 million undocumented immigrants already hear, we write to support your efforts to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year that is workable and fair.
As leaders of Jewish community organizations, we look both to the teachings of our Jewish religious and ethical tradition, and to core American values relating to immigrants, for guidance on immigration reform. With 36 references in the Torah mandating that we not only welcome, but love the stranger, we call on Congress to show leadership by providing an effective legal immigration system that is characterized by rule of law, national interest and compassion. Comprehensive reform of our broken immigration system is critical to this nation’s security, economic and humanitarian interests. We urge Congress to pass legislation this year so that families can be reunited and we can restore the rule of law at the border and in the workplace once and for all.
We also call on Congress to ensure that any bill aiming to reform our immigration system preserves the United States' longstanding commitment to provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution. The United States has long been a leader in the protection of refugees at home and abroad. Yet in the past decade we have noticed a discouraging trend in legislation and regulations, making our laws more difficult to navigate by victims of persecution who are most often empty-handed, traumatized, and separated from their loved ones. While we support the government's right to ensure that the asylum system is not abused, this goal must be achieved without further traumatizing victims of religious and other persecution, and putting them at risk of wrongful return to those who mean them harm.
A comprehensive approach to immigration reform must recognize and respond to the reality that approximately 12 million undocumented individuals currently reside in the United States; that unrealistic immigration laws and ineffective border enforcement policies have created conditions that have resulted in thousands of deaths and increasing violence in the border regions; and that extensive backlogs for family immigration visas have led to prolonged and inhumane separation of families. Furthermore, the failure to reform our immigration laws perpetuates an illegal immigration system and undermines government efforts to target enforcement resources on criminals and terrorists who pose grave dangers to the country. Continuation of the status quo is not only unwise, but also unacceptable.
Any final comprehensive immigration reform legislation must include provisions that provide:
· Border protection policies that are consistent with American humanitarian values, protect legitimate asylum-seekers, and are effective against illegal migration, allowing authorities to successfully protect the integrity of our borders and prevent the entry of those who would do us harm;
· Opportunities 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 must wait many years, to be reunited with loved ones;
· Wider legal avenues that correspond with the needs of American employers, through which workers and their families can enter our country and work in a safe, legal, and orderly manner with their rights fully protected; and
· Programs to enhance citizenship and encourage the integration of newcomers into American society.
As the debate progresses, we strongly believe that the tone of the immigration reform debate is as important as the legislation and policy it produces. We encourage Congress to engage in reasonable discourse characterized by civility and respect that is mindful of the very people affected by this legislation. A recent report by the Anti-Defamation League reminds us that there is a direct connection between the national policy debate and the atmosphere surrounding the daily lives of immigrants, showing that extremist groups are seeking to exploit national divisions and spread a message of xenophobia, promote hateful stereotypes, and incite bigotry and violence against Hispanics, regardless of their immigration status. The tenor and outcome of our national debate over the fate of undocumented persons in the United States will speak volumes about where we are heading as a society, and Members of Congress should seek opportunities to speak out against bigotry, intolerance, and prejudice in our society, wherever they occur.
We firmly believe that with your leadership, Congress can ensure that our country's immigration laws are reformed in a comprehensive manner that will make the United States stronger and safer while honoring our tradition as a nation of immigrants.
Respectfully,
National Organizations
David Harris
Executive Director
American Jewish Committee
Neil B. Goldstein
Executive Director
American Jewish Congress
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
Anti-Defamation League
Daniel S. Mariaschin
Executive Vice President
B'nai B'rith International
Rabbi Marla J. Feldman
Director
Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism
Gideon Aronoff
President and CEO
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Genie Cohen
Executive Director
International Association of Jewish Vocational Services
Rabbi Steve Gutow
Executive Director
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Simon Greer
President and CEO
Jewish Funds for Justice
Dr. Richard Lederman
Director, Public Policy and Social Action
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Howard M. Rieger
President and CEO
United Jewish Communities
Local/Regional Organizations
Arthur C. Abramson, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Baltimore Jewish Council
Judith Bernstein-Baker, Esq.
Executive Director
HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia
Sheila Decter
Executive Director
JALSA – Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action
Vic Rosenthal
Executive Director
Jewish Community Action - St. Paul, Minnesota
Gina Kaiser, Chair
Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee - Overland Park, Kansas
Steven J. Brodie
Chairman
Jewish Community Relations Council, Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Nancy Kaufman
Executive Director
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston
David Gutin
Chair
Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation, Philadelphia
Gary Walk
Chair
Jewish Community Relations Council
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County
Wendy Wagenheim, President
Robert Cohen, Executive Director
Jewish Community Relations Council of Metro Detroit
Jane Ramsey
Executive Director
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
Robert J. Fishman
Executive Director
Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT)
Howard Gases, Executive Director
Bob St. Lifer, President
Toby Shylit-Mack, Chair of Community Relations Committee
Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County
Fran Katz, Chair
Josh Protas, Director
Jewish Community Relations Council
Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona
Dr. Carl Sheingold
Executive Vic President
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
Dara Silverman
Executive Director
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ)
Lori Leibowitz
Director
Jews United for Justice
William E. Rapfogel
Executive Director/CEO
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
Metropolitan Jewish Council
Dr. Diane Steinman
Executive Director
New York Chapter, American Jewish Committee
Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Director
The Shalom Center
Lawrence Greenwald, Chair, Task Force on Immigration Policy
Ronald Soloway, Managing Director, Government and External Relations
UJA-Federation of New York
