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