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Forum in the News
Immigration amendments stir questions on Republican intent
May 08, 2013 - Reuters
Nearly two months ago, Republican Party leaders urged their rank-and-file to embrace comprehensive immigration legislation as part of a broad effort to appeal to Hispanics and other minorities who rebuked Republican candidates in the 2012 elections. Now, with the start of what is looking to be a historic debate in the U.S. Senate on revamping the country's immigration policy, some are saying that it appears as if not all Republicans got the message.
Hatch bill seeks immigrants’ DNA
May 08, 2013 - Salt Lake Tribune
Immigrants in the United States illegally who would seek permanent residency under an immigration reform bill before Congress would have to submit a DNA sample to be kept on file if Sen. Orrin Hatch has his way. The amendment quickly brought concerns from advocates for immigrants. "It’s a big difference to go from name and birth certificate to fingerprints and DNA," says Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum.
Rich liberal donors throw weight behind Obama agenda
May 04, 2013 - Los Angeles Times
An influential network of some of the country's wealthiest liberal political donors is steering resources to an advocacy group backing President Obama's agenda and to organizations working to pass immigration reform, providing a surge of money that could boost the president's legislative goals. Democracy Alliance selected the pro-Obama Organizing for Action and immigration reform groups such as the National Immigration Forum as some of its top 2013 priorities.
Religious and business leaders gather regarding immigration
May 03, 2013 - Portsmouth Daily News
As Congress prepares to take up the Senate Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform bill proposal, an unprecedented coalition of Ohio faith and business leaders are gathering at the Ohio Statehouse to voice their support for an effective, long-term immigration system that respects the rule of law while also acknowledging immigrants’ human dignity and important role in our economy and our communities.
Conservatives’ Ads Pressure GOP on Immigration
April 30, 2013 - Wall Street Journal
Another group, the National Immigration Forum Action Fund, said this week that it had received a six-figure donation from hedge-fund billionaire Paul Singer to promote a comprehensive immigration deal. Executive Director Ali Noorani said the money would be used to recruit grass-roots supporters in states across the country.
House divided over immigration approach
April 29, 2013 - San Antonio Express-News
An immigration overhaul bill has yet to hit the floor of the U.S. House, but a dispute over the best way to take on the complex reform effort already threatens to divide its members. At a forum Monday in San Antonio, two key congressmen involved in drafting a comprehensive, bipartisan bill rejected calls from some Republican colleagues to take a more piecemeal approach. Their comments came three days after another group of legislators filed measures of their own proposing incremental tweaks to the immigration system.
Immigration Reform Law 2013: GOP Mega-Donor Throws Down 6-Figure Donation Towards Reform
April 29, 2013 - Policy Mic
New immigration reform is the hot legislative topic in Washington D.C. Already the pro-immigration reform lobby, along with their anti-reform opposition, have begun their respective offensives to ensure that their desired outcome of victory or defeat of the bill becomes reality on Capitol Hill. The pro-immigration reform side has gotten a powerful backer however. An influential Republican mega-donor, Paul Singer, has thrown down a six-figure donation to a pro-immigration reform group.
Border Patrol struggles to measure what it can’t see
April 29, 2013 - Los Angeles Times
Across the Southwest, the rate at which the Border Patrol stops illegal crossings has long been the stuff of coffee shop speculation. Under a bipartisan immigration bill being debated in the Senate, a 13-year path to citizenship for most of the county's 11 million unauthorized immigrants would depend on whether the Border Patrol can achieve 90% effectiveness. Supporters say they have confidence such a goal can be measured and reached over the next decade. Border residents, some experts and longtime patrol agents express deep skepticism.
House Immigration Bill Will Be Tougher Than ‘Gang Of 8’ Plan, GOP Member Says
April 29, 2013 - Huffington Post
Rep. John Carter (R-Texas), a member of the bipartisan House group working on an immigration bill, appeared with another House immigration reform supporter, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, in San Antonio, Texas at a discussion hosted by the National Immigration Forum and the Texas Tribune, in conjunction with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. They wouldn't get into specifics of their bill -- the House's eight-person group has been tight-lipped about timing and details -- but did say they agree with some of the broad strokes of the "gang of eight" plan.
Immigration Reform 2013: Why Don’t 4 Out Of 5 Immigrant Detainees Ever See a Lawyer?
April 29, 2013 - Policy Mic
As comprehensive immigration reform slowly makes its way through Congress, most Americans are probably familiar with the usual markers of the debate: border security, a pathway to citizenship for the millions of immigrants without legal status, and the unique circumstances of "DREAMers," young people brought to the country illegally as children. Still, one issue that we hear less about is the case of immigrants tangled up in the nation's administrative detainee system.
