America needs to reform immigration now!
Over the last 5 years, immigration policies of the United States have been under fire from both the left and the right. What is patently clear is that until political ideology is put aside, the rhetoric will never cease. Reasons for comprehensive immigration reform should be patently obvious. In 1986, under the leadership of Ronald Reagan these same arguments were advanced and prevailed. President Reagan demonstrated true leadership in this area. A factual perspective that has been lost in today’s political atmosphere…

President Reagan argued that the then underground economy was detrimental to the nation’s economic interests and that having a path to legalization for the undocumented alien immediately provided a increase in the tax base and a tracking mechanism for the truly dangerous.

It worked then…it can work now.

Below are materials provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association advocating for Congressional immigration action and reform. I support this initiative and pass it on to you for consideration. Pressuring Congress to address this matter now will be one major step forward to solving the nation’s economic and social woes in this area.

One caveat, unlike the 1986 initiative, Congress must include in any legislation not only the legislative solution but the funding mechanism to implement the change as well…

Perhaps some ‘stimulus’ monies can actually do something designed to stimulate the economy and the country…

-Al Zucaro

The following is an email sent from from the American Immigration Lawyers Association

We have some big news.

This week, hundreds of allied organizations launched the campaign to Reform Immigration FOR America in cities all across the country -- from Los Angeles to Maine, Miami to Seattle. Today, a broad coalition of allies from labor, business, and community groups officially kicked off the national campaign in Washington, DC. The American Immigration Lawyers Association is a part of this exciting grassroots movement to reform immigration, and we invite you to join us.

On June 4th, over 700 advocates are descending on Capitol Hill to tell Congress:
"We cannot wait any longer. America needs to reform immigration now."

We can't afford to fly you out to DC to join them in person, but we can give you a 1-click way to make sure we have impact. Please take 30 seconds to send a (free) fax to your Senators, Representative, and Congressional leadership right now.

Then please forward this to friends and family. Our goal is to back up those 700 advocates on the Hill with 2,500 phone calls and 20,000 faxes.

Here's our thinking: President Obama has said reforming the immigration system is a priority for him. But it's going to take more than just having the President on our side to win. We need 279 votes to pass comprehensive immigration reform: 218 US Representatives + 60 Senators + the President's signature. So over the coming months, we're going to be asking you to help us flood Congress and the White House with faxes, calls, emails, and visits to say (each in our own way):

Our economy and thousands of families are suffering under the burden of a broken system. The time has come for just and humane immigration reform. We cannot wait any longer.

Together, we can make this happen.

Marshall Fitz
Director of Advocacy
American Immigration Lawyers Association