Administrative Relief Talking Points
PRESIDENT OBAMA MAKES SIGNIFICANT FIRST STEP GRANTING IMMIGRATION RELIEF TO MILLIONS
By taking these actions, the president, for at least the next two years, has changed the lives of millions of people. Students can go to school without fear that their parents will be deported and parents can go to work without fear of being deported and being separated from their families. More young people will be allowed to work legally and contribute to the only country they know as their home. By taking executive action, the president has answered the will of the American people who want to see immigration reform. Today's executive order not only does right by the families of countless of our Latino immigrant brothers and sisters, but is also a benefit to our economy.
LULAC expects Congress to follow President Obama's lead. The president has acted through executive order but the country still needs comprehensive immigration reform to address other key immigration challenges. fact, in the last election, some polls showed that over 81 percent of Americans want Congress to address immigration reform.
According to some polls, at least 57 percent of Americans thought there should be a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Such reforms would benefit families and the economy. According to some estimates, every year that Congress fails to pass immigration reform measures, such as H.R. 15, the country loses out on $15.8 billion in potential economic gains a year – that translates into $1.3 billion a month, and $43 million a day.
President Obama is not the first American president to use his executive authority to address immigration challenges. In 1986, President Reagan used his executive authority to grant legal status to an estimated 3 million immigrants. President Bush later used the same authority to include the spouses and children of those who were legalized under the 1986 reform.
LULAC has developed a number of resources in order to provide the appropriate assistance to the immigrant population. Specifically, in the coming weeks, LULAC will host a livestream seminar with key agencies providing information about the application process. LULAC members are also urged to call 1- 877-585-2201 where LULAC staff are ready to answer questions. Further, through its Hispanic Immigrant Integration Program, LULAC provides assistance with immigration applications. Lastly, members can go to www.iAmerica.org for more information.
The exact process has not been provided by the Department of Homeland Security. Until then LULAC urges the immigrant community to beware of unscrupulous actors posing as attorneys by calling themselves “notarios” and demanding payment for immigration services. In addition, since the provisions outlined by the president are extensions of an existing program (DACA), we know what forms will most likely be requested. LULAC suggests that the immigrant community have the following documents available:
- Proof of identity,
- Proof of relationship to a US Citizen or lawful permanent resident,
- Continuous residence in the US for the last five years or more.