Immigration - Let's Start With Facts

Press Release

Too often people don't know the facts when arguing about immigration. A recent letter to the editor, ironically entitled "Immigration advice for lamebrains" (Nov. 29), is an example. While the letter stated specific proposals that should be enacted by Congress, the author must not have realized that many of these "recommendations" are already law, such as:

Undocumented immigrants have long been barred from all major federal assistance programs and ineligible to receive Social Security benefits.

Since 1996, legal permanent residents (LPRs) have been barred from receiving food stamps and supplemental security income and are barred for their first five years as LPRs from receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Immigrants with criminal backgrounds are ineligible to enter the country legally. In fact, current permanent legal residents can be stripped of their status and deported under current law with no exception.

Immigrants wishing to naturalize and become U.S. citizens must show an ability to read, write and speak the English language.

Immigrants wishing to apply for naturalization must be legal permanent residents for five years before becoming eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

When talking about immigration, we should start with the facts and the laws on the books, not with incorrect assumptions and scare tactics. Comprehensive immigration reform needs to be approached in a rational, bipartisan, and pragmatic manner, and starting with the facts is always a good idea.

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