[KR: Except for policy wonks, advocates, and Congress scholars, proposed amendments to bills don't get much attention. MALDEF sent out a 'position-paper' email today which is helpful in seeing the kinds of amendments being proposed, and MALDEF's stances and rationales...]
Senate Taking Major Action on Immigration Bill
The U.S. Senate is starting to make action that will determine which way the Immigration Legislation will go. Your voice is needed today! You can reach your Senator via the Capitol Hill Operator at 202-224-3121.
Yesterday, the Senate approved the Bingaman Amendment by a vote of 74-24 that cuts the temporary worker in half from 400,000 workers annually to 200,000. What is left is a program that has fundamental inequities for these workers (cutting off their ability to remain in the U.S.; inadequate labor protections; splitting of families) and for U.S. workers (temporary workers will be less likely to complain about dangerous working conditions or inadequate compensation that hurts all workers) and lacks enough visas to serve legitimate business needs. Passage of the Bingaman Amendment may make it harder for the bill to pass the Senate. Today, the Senate may vote on the Coleman Amendment (#1158) that would outlaw state and local government policies that prevent government employees - including police and health and safety workers - from inquiring about the immigration status of those they serve if there is “probable cause” to believe the individual being questioned is undocumented. There is no exception where such policies are necessary to protect the health and safety or promote the welfare of the community.
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