Media
Forum in the News
Seeking a Bigger Audience, Tea-Party Hero Embraces Immigration Reform
March 20, 2013 - National Journal
On Tuesday, Sen. Rand Paul threw his support behind legalizing the millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., signaling his determination to expand his following beyond the tea party movement as he positions himself for a 2016 presidential campaign. Just two years ago, Paul was pushing to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.
Republicans’ Immigration ‘Pathway’ Dance
March 19, 2013 - ABC News
In a debate filled with buzzwords that double as landmines, Republicans’ still-emerging efforts to grapple with immigration reform are dancing around the issue that may be the linchpin in Congress this year: whether undocumented immigrants should be allowed to achieve citizenship. Today, tea party favorite Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., became the latest prominent Republican to confuse the immigration conversation by avoiding specific language on citizenship — perhaps by design.
State aids immigrants with free service centers
March 18, 2013 - New York World
Mark Falzone, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum in Washington, D.C., said the Office for New Americans could take on a more significant role if comprehensive immigration reform comes out of the capital after its expected introduction to the House and Senate this spring. “Once that happens, these centers are going to be crucial,” Falzone said. “The government is making a good move by doing it proactively, because obviously the demand for these centers will increase if the bill passes.”
Obama administration acknowledges thousands of illegal immigrants released from jails
March 14, 2013 - Associated Press
The director of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, John Morton, said his agency had released 2,228 illegal immigrants during that period for what he called "solely budgetary reasons." The figure was significantly higher than the "few hundred" immigrants the Obama administration had publicly acknowledged were released under the budget-savings process. He testified during a hearing by a House appropriations subcommittee.
Immigration officials admit releasing thousands of detainees
March 14, 2013 - Los Angeles Times
Immigration officials acknowledged Thursday that they had released 2,228 illegal immigrants from detention in February and early March, not several hundred as they previously had announced, in an effort to reduce spending in advance of mandatory budget cuts. John Morton, director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told a House subcommittee hearing that four of those discharged were rearrested after agents discovered they had violent criminal records.
Higher Education Leaders Join Immigration Reform Coalition
March 13, 2013 - Diverse Education Blog
In recent years, immigrant rights organizations, students and social activists have called on U.S. higher education institutions to get behind state and federal legislative measures, such as the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. While legislative action on immigration reform policies has been very limited, colleges and university campuses at least proved to be friendly places for discussion among those debating and advocating reform.
An Immigration Hawk Strikes a New Tone in the House
March 13, 2013 - ABC NEWS/UNIVISION
"I think that Chairman Goodlatte is engaging in an intellectually honest process to arrive at a position on immigration reform, but also bringing his colleagues along with him," said Ali Noorani. "Gone are the days of Steve King and Tom Tancredo throwing lightning bolts from the dais."
What Does A ‘Real’ Path To Citizenship Even Look Like?
March 12, 2013 - Talking Points Memo
Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, told TPM in an interview that the exact number of years was less crucial than revamping the visa system so it can evaluate millions of newly legalized immigrants without running into the same huge backlogs it suffers from now. “The fact is, there is no road to citizenship for the undocumented now, so you have to build it,” Noorani said. “But like you would build any road, you have to make sure it’s high quality.”
Most Idaho dairy workers are not here legally
March 12, 2013 - Tri-City Herald
Bob Naerebout, executive director of the Idaho Dairymen's Association, said he uses a slightly lower figure, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates and Idaho's experience with audits by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. With so many undocumented workers harvesting milk, Naerebout said, there are social as well as legal consequences, including parents who shy from engaging in their communities out of fear of being caught and leaving their children in distress.
Broad coalition seeks strong push on immigration reform
March 07, 2013 - Capital Press
A new coalition of agricultural, religious and business interests in Washington is pushing immigration reform. Leaders of the effort signed a statement of principles, called the Washington Compact, in Yakima on March 5.
