Legalization of Unauthorized Immigrants:

1
Legalization of Unauthorized Immigrants

• Robin Thorley
• Brenda Ayón
• Vanessa Reyes
• Maribel Martinez
• March 5th, 2009
• POLI SCI 126C

2
History

• - 1st Law protecting citizens (14th
  Amendment-1868)
• - Immigration Act of 1924
• - Immigration Nationality Act of 1965
• - Immigration Reform Act (IRCA) of 1986
• - NAFTA 1994, trilateral trade bloc between
  Canada/Mexico/USA

3
The Unauthorized

• Estimated 11.8 million unauthorized immigrants
  living working in the U.S. as of 2007
• - Immigration Nationality Act of 1965
  reversal of immigration quotas.
• Labor Needs-Influx of Asian Hispanic
  immigrants.
• Largely Mexican concentrated-
• (57 of unauthorized population)
• Asylees/Refugees
• Once Legal- Over stayed Visas
• Border entry- dangers
• Immigrants have established lives in the U.S.A

4
Failed Attempts To Enact Legislation

• 109th Congress (2005-2006)
• - H.R. 4437 Bill introduced in House of Reps
  Sensenbrenner Bill -Conservative Attempt.
• ?Created felons/ Provided No amnesty
• - S. 2611 More Moderate Response.
• DREAM Act
• 110th Congressional
• approach (2007-2008)
• - S. 1348

No new legislation- Demonstrates the difficulty
in forcing Congress to compromise.
5
After Math

• 2006 Protests/Walk-outs
• Peaceful Organized
• May Day ( the Sleeping Giant)
• -- Over 500,000 protestors in places with large
  immigrant communities like LA, Chicago,
  Arizona.
• ?Primarily Protesting Criminalization of H.R.
  4437
• Resulted in Congressional Gridlock-
• --Instead govt focused on building the fence.
• Catholic Church
• Students as key role
• (push for the DREAM Act)
• Different calls for reform maintaining family
  units, employers, students etc.

6
What The Future May Hold?

• Obama Administration-(at the moment Immigration
  has no issue salience.)
• --Many believe He will lead in a push for
  immigration reform.
• Public is largely divided.
• Legalization?
• Worker Programs?
• Z Visas
• ...Depends on the economy

Different Immigrants assimilation Traditional/Se
gmented/New Assimilation may call for different
aspects of a Comprehensive Immigrant Reform.
7
Thank You For Your Attention
The Public Isnt Necessarily Divided Along Party
Lines Illegal Immigration Is A Delicate Issue
With Varying Perspectives Concerning Appropriate
Immigration Reform.

• Any Questions ?