May 1, 2006

About: League of Women Voters - LWVUS

LWVUS Immigration Position

The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be made for qualified persons to enter the U.S. on student visas. All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.

The League supports federal immigration law that provides an efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry of immigrants into the U.S.

To complement these goals the League supports federal policies to improve economies, education, job opportunities, and living conditions in nations with large emigrating populations.

In transition to a reformed system, the League supports provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status

The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant populations.

Criteria for Legal Admission to the U.S.

The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States:

Family reunification of spouses or minor children with authorized immigrants or citizens;
Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries;
Economic, business and employment needs in the U.S.;
Education and training needs of the U.S.;
Educational program opportunities; and
Lack of a history of serious criminal activity.
Administration and Enforcement

The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to humane treatment.

The League supports:

Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of employee status;
Verification documents, such as status cards and work permits, with secure identifiers;
Significant fines and penalties for employers who hire unauthorized workers;
Improved technology for sharing information among federal agencies;
More effective tracking of individuals who enter the United States; and
Increased personnel at borders.
The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to enter and leave the U.S. to meet seasonal or sporadic labor needs.

Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the U.S.

In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.

www.lwv.org

Texas Chapter www.lwvtexas.org/

About Allied Communities of Tarrant ACT

It is interesting that the League of Women Voters is no longer listed as a member of Allied Communities of Tarrant (ACT). The current list just includes churches. About half of the churches listed have a notation that they are waiting on congregation approval.

As far as their efforts to bully JPS Hospital into giving non-emergency care to illegal aliens, they have thus far been defeated by citizens of Tarrant County. However, they are pressuring the board to vote again in August 2008. In 2004, the board of directors decided to restrict charity care to legal residents of Tarrant County and only provide services to illegal aliens that was required by federal law.

http://alliedcommunities.org/index.html

May 1st Marches in Texas

About LULAC - League of United Latin American Citizens

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

"LULAC is the largest and oldest Hispanic Organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. The organization involves and serves all Hispanic nationality groups.

Historically, LULAC has focused heavily on education, civil rights, and employment for Hispanics... "

The 2007-2008 LULAC Legislative Platform
Immigration Issues:

IMMIGRATION
"LULAC opposes any legislation that threatens the rights of immigrants, criminalizes them or those who provide them assistance, and harms Latino communities. LULAC opposes harsh regulations that toughen the requirements for citizenship and stipulations that raise the bar of admissibility for immigrants. Immigrant visas should not be unreasonably withheld. Legal residents and naturalized citizens should have the same benefits due native-born citizens. LULAC opposes the militarization of the border and vigilante attacks on immigrants, as well as the mistreatment of immigrants in the United States regardless of their status. LULAC supports the regularization of undocumented workers in the United States by periodically updating the Date of Registry, the reinstatement of Section 245(i) to allow immigrants to remain with their families while their applications are processed, along with the restoration of Food Stamps for legal immigrants. LULAC supports citizenship for America’s non-citizen troops. LULAC supports strong family reunification standards and fair and balanced immigration processes to take into account future flows of workers. LULAC urges Congress to pass wage protection for immigrants, as well as to mitigate the Hoffman decision. Though LULAC does not support guest-worker programs, should they pass, LULAC endorses full worker protections including the right to organize and to apply for citizenship on their own right without depending on their employer. LULAC opposes the use of local law enforcement to assist the DHS."

DRIVER LICENSES
"LULAC supports legislation to grant licenses to immigrants under any status. LULAC supports innovative provisions for the issuance of a license such as passing a criminal background check, endorsement by a citizen, or requiring a pledge by immigrants to apply for legal residency. LULAC opposes any legislation that would place immigrants at risk by highlighting their status."

HOUSING
"LULAC supports the expansion of affordable housing and increased funding for policies that create government-sponsored matching funds. LULAC opposes discriminatory and predatory lending practices and supports the strengthening of fair housing legislation to hold banking institutions accountable for fair lending practices. LULAC supports the improvement of quality of life for areas known as “colonias” along the US-Mexico border with such basic amenities as access to potable water and electricity. LULAC supports increasing funding and affordable housing programs for seasonal and migrant farmworkers."

Issues:

"LULAC calls upon Congress and the President to embrace and uphold America's tradition as a nation of immigrants and pass comprehensive immigration reform that allows hard working immigrants and their families to become permanent legal residents of the United States."

Supports the STRIVE Act
Supports the DREAM Act (Amnesty)
Opposes State and Local Law Enforcement Taking on the Role of Enforcing Federal Immigration Law.
Request President Bush to Grant "Clemency" to Elvira Arellano.

http://www.lulac.org/

About Texas Employers for Immigration Reform (TEIR)

Texas Employers for Immigration Reform (TEIR)

Founded by Lonnie (Bo) Pilgrim owner of Pilgrim's Pride Chicken
http://www.txeir.org/


Principles for Immigration Reform

We support comprehensive immigration reform that:

Facilitates the employment of essential workers by U.S. companies and organizations through a market-driven system of temporary workers.
Addresses the economic needs for both future and undocumented workers already in the United States.
Strengthens national security by providing for the screening of foreign workers and creating a disincentive for illegal immigration.
Creates an immigration system that functions efficiently for employers, workers, and government agencies.
Upholds the rule of law by establishing a clear, sensible immigration system that is efficiently and vigorously enforced.
Includes new, proven enforcement regimes that do not penalize employers for their past inability to comply with a broken system.
Acknowledges the $17.7 billion contribution that immigrant workers make to the Texas economy.
Allows hard-working, tax-paying undocumented workers to earn legal status.
Does not displace U.S. workers with foreign workers.
Ensures that all workers enjoy the same labor law protections.
Unites, rather than divides, employers and immigrant workers.


Open Letter to:

May 24, 2007

Dear Senator Hutchison and Senator Cornyn,

As the leadership of the Texas Employers for Immigration Reform, we write to express the urgency in supporting passage of comprehensive immigration reform. We believe that if comprehensive reform is not completed there will be a severe impact on national security and the economy of our state and nation.

Texas Employers for Immigration Reform is a coalition of Texas businesses, including farmers,hotels, restaurants, banks, manufacturers, retailers, trade associations and other organizations representing the spectrum of employers in the Lone Star State. TEIR strongly supports a comprehensive solution to
immigration reform. This includes border security, a necessary and temporary guest worker program combined with clear, sensible workplace enforcement, and a path to legal status for undocumented workers currently in the United States.

While S. 1348 as announced by a bipartisan group last week is not perfect, it is a good start towards the comprehensive immigration reform we need in this country. We applaud and acknowledge your vital role in this process and believe together we can create historic immigration legislation this year.

Sincerely,

List of Supporters As of March, 2008

Adams Insurance Services, Inc.
ALCOM Electronicos de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Associated Builders & Contractors of Texas
Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Texas
Baldi Gardens
Beecherl Investments
Belton Area Chamber of Commerce
Bob Perry
Boggus Ford
Borders Melon Co.
Bowerbird Construction
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
Bud Smith Organization
Cameo Samples LLC
Cedar Creek Farms
Clearstream Wastewater Systems, Inc.
Contran Corporation
Corporate Facilities Management Services, LLC
Dairy Farmers of America
East Texas Refrigeration
Emerald Garden
Excell Cleaning and Building Services, Inc.
Express Personnel Services
Federation of Employers & Workers of America
Four Seasons Sunrooms Design and Remodeling Center
Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Greater Houston Partnership
Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
GreenWay Lawn Care
Heard & Smith L.L.P
Henry S. Miller Companies
Hunt Building Corporation
Hutchison Homes
IBTX Risk Management System
ImmigrationWorks USA
International Bank of Commerce
James Leininger, M.D.
Kenjura Tile, Inc.
Lawn Management Company
Landmark Nurseries Inc.
Loeffler, Tuggey, Pauerstein, Rosenthal LLP
Lone Star Milk Producers
Manhattan Policy Institute
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Mesquite Chamber of Commerce
Metro Blind & Shade Inc.
Mission Economic Development Authority
Mortellaro’s Nursery, Inc.
North American Stone Company
Pape Farms
Phil Adams Company Pilgrim’s Pride
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Powell Plant Farms, Inc.
Ran-Pro Farms Inc.
Rennerwood, Inc.
Rio Grande Valley Partnership/Chamber of Commerce
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Sanderson Farms
Select Milk Producers, Inc.
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
Southern Multifoods, Inc.
Southwest Property Landscaping
Starr-Camargo Bridge Co.
TawaKoni Plant Farm
Texas Agriculture Cooperative Council
Texas Apartment Association
Texas Association of Builders
Texas Association of Business
Texas Association of Dairymen
Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce
Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Forestry Association
Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Texas Nursery and Landscape Association
Texas Watermelon Association
Texas Package Store Association
Texas Pork Producers Association
Texas Poultry Federation and Affiliates
Texas Produce Association
Texas Restaurant Association
Texas Retailers Association
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Texas State Bank
Texas State Florists Association
Texas Travel Industry Association
Texas Vegetable Association
The Honorable Dolph Briscoe
Turfgrass Producers of Texas
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Universal Metal Products
West Texas Plants
Wester Landscape Management
Wilhite Landscape and Lawn Care, Ltd.
Winter Garden Produce
Workforce Solutions

Former Supporters

Huffines Auto Group
Pilgrim’s Pride

About Texas Association of Business & Chambers of Commerce

Texas Association of Business

"In 1922, three San Antonio businessmen -- G.M. Kneibel, G.G. Geyer, and I.M. McIlhenny -- anticipated the start of a new era for Texas business. The predicted the need for a coordinated effort to deal with emerging public policy issues, and formed the Texas State Manufacturers Association.

In 1946, the organization's state headquarters were moved from San Antonio to Houston. Recognizing the state's economy reached beyond agricultural, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries, as evidenced by the rapid growth of service and financial sectors, the organization became the Texas Association of Business (TAB) in 1976. In 1990, TAB completed a state headquarters building in Austin -- a permanent home just four blocks from the Texas State Capitol."

"About the Texas Chamber of Commerce

In 1988, the Texas Chamber of Commerce was officially chartered through the consolidation of the regional East, South, and West Texas Chambers of Commerce, which had served the state's local chambers of commerce since the 1920s. As the umbrella organization for hundreds of local chambers of commerce statewide, the Austin-based Texas Chamber actively pursued the creation of new jobs within the state by promoting sound economic legislation at the State Capitol and working closely with legislators, state agencies, and other business organizations on laws and regulations that would promote growth and allow the free enterprise system to function smoothly."

"Another priority of the Texas Chamber was to improve the state's public education system by helping develop a workforce capable of competing in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced workplace. To coordinate this effort, the Texas Chamber developed the Texas Business and Education Coalition, an organization aimed at promoting responsible school improvement initiatives and ensuring that state regulation does not impede efforts to raise student achievement levels."

"About the Texas Association of
Business & Chambers of Commerce

Texas Business has seen major changes since the 1920s and Texas employers need an organization that can expand and diversify to meet new needs while offering members an effective voice in the policy-making process."

"The Texas Association of Business & Chambers of Commerce was formed in 1995 for one reason: the combined strength of the Texas Association of Business and the Texas Chamber of Commerce was both logical and necessary as the burgeoning Texas economy forges into the 21st Century. Through vigilant legislative and regulatory action, helpful employment relations services, informative workshops and seminars, cost-saving benefit programs for both small and large employers, and other unique member services, TABCC is better positioned than any other organization to lead Texas employers through the challenges that a new era of business will certainly present."

http://www.txbiz.org/memb/AboutUs.asp

President Bill Hammond

Members

About the Texas Border Coalition

"In 1998 communities from throughout the Texas Border Region came together to form the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition (TBIC) to develop key recommendations for the 76th Texas Legislature...Today, the organization is known as the Texas Border Coalition (TBC)"

The Vision and Mission

Vision
TBC vision is to be recognized leader and authority for the Texas-Mexico region in order to bring attention to the infrastructure needs of the communities along the border.


Mission
To make recommendations to the Texas Legislature to help the entire Texas-Mexico border region to continue to grow and prosper economically. To that end, the TBC will work to:

Provide a better quality of life for the residents of the Texas-Mexico border region by providing economic development opportunities and sustainable incomes in a healthy and safe environment.

Make the flow of goods and products between Texas-Mexico as efficient as possible by advocating for the necessary funding needed in the border region.

Advocate federal and state investments and incentives in Transportation, Immigration and Ports of Entry, Workforce and Education, Healthcare and other areas considered vital to the fulfillment of the mission of the TBC.


Founder
"Mike A. Allen, featured right, founder and former chairman of the Texas Border Coalition, has announced he will resign from the organization in order to focus on medical treatments for an undisclosed illness. Allen is also stepping down from the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, but he will remain on the South Texas College Board of Trustees."
http://www.edinburgpolitics.com/2007/05/21/mike-allen-resigns-from-texas-border-coalition-to-battle-illness-will-remain-on-stc-board-of-trustees/

Committee Members
Transportation Committee
Chair, Honorable Judge Jose “Pepe” Aranda, Maverick County

Immigration and Ports of Entry Committee
Chair, Ms. Monica Stuart, Private Sector

Workforce and Education Committee
Chair, Ms. Wanda F. Garza, South Texas College

Healthcare Committee
Chair, Mr. Jose Rodriguez, Attorney, El Paso County

Lead Council on lawsuit against federal gov.:
Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, California baised defender of leftist causes.
http://www.centerforhumanrights.org/

Members

City of Alamo
City of Brownsville
City of Del Rio
City of Eagle Pass
City of Edinburg
City of El Paso
City of Harlingen
City of Hidalgo
City of La Joya
City of Laredo
City of McAllen
City of Mercedes
City of Mission
City of Pharr
City of Port Isabel
City of Rio Grande City
City of Roma
City of San Juan
City of Weslaco
Cameron County
Dimmit County
El Paso County
Hidalgo County
Maverick County
Starr County
Terrell County
Val Verde County
Webb County
Zapata County

Special Interest Groups

Chamber of Commerce
Alamo, Browsville, Corpus Christi, Del Rio, Dimmit County, Donna Tourist Center, Eagle Pass, Edinburg, Greater El Paso, Harlingen Area, Hidalgo, Laredo Webb, McAllen, Mercedes Area, Mission, Pharr, RGV Partnership, Roma, San Juan, South Padre Island (SPI), Weslaco Area

Brownsville Economic Development Council
Donna Economic Developmnent
Edinburg Economic Development Corporations
Laredo Development Foundation
Lower Rio Grande Development Council
Maverick County Development Council
McAllen Economic Development Corporation
Middle Rio Grande Development Council
Mission Economic Development Authority
Penitas Economic Development Corporation
Pharr Economic Development Corporation
Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation
Roma Economic Development Corporation
San Benito Economic Development Corporation
South Padre Island (SPI) Economic Development Corporation
Mercedes Economic Development Corporation
Weslaco Economic Development
Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation

http://www.texasbordercoalition.org

About E-Verify

E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

E-Verify is free and voluntary and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security Numbers.

For more information:

http://www.uscis.gov/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

Should the Texas State Legislature pass immigration enforcement laws in 2009?