Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security and Prosperity Bill

Washington DC – December 16th 2009 – The Rights Working Group welcomes yesterdays introduction of Congressman Gutierrez’ “Comprehensive Immigration Reform for Americas Security and Prosperity” (CIR ASAP).

The bill would restore essential human rights protections to people in the immigration detention and enforcement system. In a release announcing the introduction of the CIR ASAP, Congressman Gutierrez noted that the bill “is an answer to too many years of pain —mothers separated from their children, workers exploited and undermined security at the border— all caused at the hands of a broken immigration system. This bill says 'enough,' and presents a solution to our broken system that we as a nation of immigrants can be proud of.”

CIR ASAP incorporates language from bills previously introduced by Senators Menendez and Lieberman, and Congresswomen Roybal Allard and Woolsey. In doing so, the bill addresses issues critical to prohibiting racial profiling, protecting vulnerable populations, establishing enforceable standards for immigration detention and restoring vital due process protections including judicial review.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Repeal §287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and suspend Operation Streamline;
• Reestablish the federal government as the sole enforcer of immigration law and pre-empt states and localities from passing laws the discriminate against people based on their immigration status
• Promote alternatives to detention and delineate critical protections for vulnerable populations in the immigration system, including children and asylum seekers;
• Create enforceable standards to protect people in immigration detention;
• Restore the jurisdiction of federal courts to review decisions made by the Department of Homeland Security.

“Congressman Gutierrez’ bill sets a floor of human rights protections in the immigration detention and enforcement system that should inform any immigration reform efforts going forward” said Margaret Huang, Executive Director of the Rights Working Group. “This bill will go a long way to correct many of the overly broad and misguided immigration enforcement polices that crowded immigration detention facilities and denied people a fair day in court.

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