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China News Digest - US Regional Services (Bo Xiong) --------------- From: XIAO@scri.fsu.edu Date: Sat, 30 Sep 1995 21:52:10 -0400 (EDT) To: acca-l@superprism.net **************************************************************************** Association for Chinese Community Affairs(ACCA) Public Broadcasting System Made possible by generous support from list-admin@Superprism.net **************************************************************************** >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> National * Committee * on * Immigration <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< News Release #9521 Saturday, September 30, 1995 ============================================================================ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= The National Committee on Immigration is a coalition of Chinese Students, Scholars & Professionals who work against the anti-immigration bill HR1915 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ============================================================================ 1. Smith Bill Markup in Judiciary Committee, updates from NIF.............64 2. Letter From Congresswoman Schroeder (Judiciary Committee)..............54 3. Analysis of S.269......................................................63 4. Smith's words..........................................................51 ============================================================================ ============================================================================ 1. Smith Bill Markup in Judiciary Committee, updates from NIF.............64 >From National Immigration Forum Democrats on the Committee have been and are expected to continue voting with us (with the notable exception of Rep. John Bryant (D-TX), and in some cases, Reps. Boucher (D-VA) and Schumer (DNY)). They still need to be contacted and reminded that their continued attendance at the mark-up is crucial as every vote counts! In other words, urge the Dems to stay in their seats! HIGHLIGHTS OF AMENDMENTS CONSIDERED TITLE V REFORM OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM FAMILY AMENDMENTS Restoration of visas for adult children of citizens and legal permanent residents Rep. Gekas (R-PA), offered an amendment to restore visas for adult children of citizens and permanent residents. Unfortunately, Rep. Smith immediately offered a substitute to Rep. Gekas' amendment that set the tone for how the Committee will likely proceed on family immigration issues. Rep. Smith's narrowly constructed substitute amendment would allow the immigration of adult children of citizens and lawful residents only if the children were between the ages of 21 and 26; if they had never previously married; if they have no children; and if they were claimed by their U.S. parents as dependents on their tax forms. Even if these conditions were met, these children would be subject to a three-year conditional resident status. Democrats argued that the Smith substitute was overly restrictive and would result in few adult children ever coming to the U.S. Rep. Berman (D-CA) sought to soften the Smith restrictions by eliminating the requirement that children be listed as a dependent on their parents' tax returns. Rep. Berman's amendment was defeated in a roll call vote of 11 (all Democrats) to 17 (all Republicans). Advocates have since learned that IRS tax rules make it impossible to claim a child on a tax return who lives outside the U.S., but who is not a U.S. citizen or legal resident already, unless that child lives in Mexico or Canada (and even then only in certain cases). Another attempt by Rep. Becerra (D-CA) to soften the restrictions by changing the never married requirement to "unmarried," in order to protect someone who may have left an abusive marriage or who was widowed at an early age, was defeated in a roll call vote of 11 -19. Not surprisingly, Smith's substitute amendment passed by a vote of 17-12, with all the Democrats present voting against Smith and every Republican, except Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, voting for the restrictive amendment. Adult disabled children added to visa category--Rep. Smith offered an amendment to include adult disabled children within the definition of "child" for purposes of qualifying for a visa. The amendment restricts this category to children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents regardless of the child's age, but the child must never have been married, must have "a severe mental or physical impairment" that "is likely to continue indefinitely" and which causes "substantially total inability to perform functions necessary for independent living," and must be receiving medical treatment. The amendment passed by voice vote. ASYLUM RELATED AMENDMENTS and Title II ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES AGAINST ALIEN SMUGGLING; DOCUMENT FRAUD (Details omitted here) ============================================================================ 2. Letter From Congresswoman Schroeder (Judiciary Committee)..............54 _From: ACCA National Headerquarters In response to our continuous lobby efforts, Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder wrote to President of ACCA in support of our standing. Patricia Schroeder Judiciary Committee Congress of the United States House of representatives 2307 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0601 September 26, 1995 Mr. Lin Huang Association for Chinese Community Affairs, Dear Mr. Huang: Thank you for your thoughts about H.R. 2202 (formerly H.R. 1915), the immigration in the National Interest Act. I share your concerns about the future of immigration, and I oppose H.R. 2202 for a number of reasons. First, I disagree with the bill's limitations on legal immigration. H.R. 2202 limits the number of both family-related and employment-related immigrants allowed into the United States. Limiting the number of skilled workers who can come to this country should be reconsidered. Since many businesses and technological fields cross international borders, restricting the movement of people in those fields would also restrict the possibilities for U.S. economic growth. I also object to requiring a national computer worker registry. In addition to violating one's right to privacy, this requirement would be an administrative burden on employers. The registry would cost at least $6 billion, as well as an additional $32 million annually to maintain. Furthermore, pilot programs have shown error rates as high as 28 percent, which would cost as many as 18 million jobs per year. Finally, I oppose the provision limiting the number of refugees allowed into the United States. With human rights violations occurring all over the world, to further limit the number of refugees we accept would be a crime against humanity. Although changes in our immigration laws are necessary, H.R. 2202 will create more problems than it will solve. Sincerely, Patricia Schroeder Congresswoman. (signed) ============================================================================ 3. An Analytical Sketch of S. 269.........................................63 _From: Ray Wang, Spokesman, ACCA National Headerquarters, Those of us who were here in the previous lobby efforts for immigration issues must still retain fresh memories of how Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming was rigging one hurdle after another to frustrate our efforts. Here again this champion of anti-immigration has sponsored a bill which will have dramatic negative impact on legal immigrants. In the ensuing paragraphs the bill will be analysed so that our voiced opposition can be more focused. While expressing our strongest opinion against this bill, we should be reminded that Senators such as Ted Kennedy (MA) and Paul Simon (IL) have been champions to promote interests of immigrants and those senators deserve our thanks. S. 269 by Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-WY) Immigrant Control and Financial Responsibility Act of 1995 Official Title: A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase control over immigration to the United States by increasing border patrol and investigator personnel; improving the verification system for employer sanctions; increasing penalties for alien smuggling and for document fraud; reforming asylum, exclusion, and deportation law and procedures; instituting a land border user fee; and to reduce use of welfare by aliens. Introduced on Tuesday, January 24, 1995 OVERVIEW: The bill [S.269] would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to increase control over illegal immigration. This measure deals primarily with illegal immigrants, while another measure Simpson said he will craft later will handle legal immigrants. It would include the following provisions: increasing the number of border patrol and investigative personnel; improving the employment eligibility verification system; escalating the penalties for document fraud and alien smuggling; reforming asylum, exclusion, and deportation law and procedures, including the repeal of the Cuban Adjustment Act; imposing a border crossing user fee; and mandating the deportation of immigrants who receive public assistance for more than 12 months. OUTLOOK: Although he comes from a rural state without immigration problems, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY), has worked on immigration issues for years and has a particular interest in them. He sought a reform bill in the 103rd Congress, which got little attention. This year's measure is likely to get a more favorable reception in the Senate -- partially because the GOP is in control, but mostly because he is chairman of the Senate Judiciary's subcommittee on immigration. The panel began marking up the measure but could not get through a list of amendments about a dozen long. Democrats, like Sens. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Paul Simon of Illinois indicated they believe the bill could allow for discrimination against legal immigrants and could abandon refugees outside U.S. borders. They also want to wait on an employment verification system for results from pilot programs. ============================================================================ 4. Smith's words..........................................................51 [Editor's note: The following was written by Congressman Smith who proposed bill H.R. 2202. It only serves as a reference. If we believe his argument then we cannot understand why there will be a reduction even though all important categories will increase their numbers?] Excerpts of "Immigration reform urgency" To put the interests of American workers, taxpayers and families first, I have introduced the Immigration in the National Interest Act of 1995, which currently has 109 cosponsors. While some argue that the current system of legal immigration is adequate, and that Congress should allow the system to continue in its current form, it is important to note exactly what those who favor doing nothing to reform legal immigration are actually arguing for. First, current law allows for the admission of 88,000 spouses and minor children of permanent resident alien each year. The Immigration in the National Interest Act, however, allows for the admission of an average of nearly 180,000 spouses and minor children of permanent resident aliens annually for the next five years. Therefore, those who support the status quo immigration system are arguing against increasing the annual admissions of nuclear families, and for the continuation of long waiting lists and huge backlogs in the system. Current law also allows for some extended family immigrants to be admitted to the United States before spouses and minor children. The Immigration in the National Interest Act prioritizes the admission of nuclear families by eliminating immigration on the basis of extended family relationships. Where there are limits, there must be priorities, and I believe that nuclear families should receive priority over extended families, unlike the current immigration system. Supporting the current system means favoring the admission of aunts, uncles and cousins before the admission of spouses and minor chidren - hardly a pro-family position. In the current legal immigration system, only 18 percent of employment-based immigrants are admitted on the basis of skills or education. The Immigration in the National Interest Act would increase the level of highly skilled immigrants to 28 percent of the total number of employment based immigrants. Those who support the status quo legal immigration system oppose increasing high-skilled immigration to the United States - hardly a pro-business position. The Immigration in the National Interest Act makes sponsors legal responsible for the immigrants they sponsor, and ensures that those who come to America will become productive members of society - not dependent participants in the welfare state. Favoring the current immigration system is the equivalent of supporting the continued abuse of the American taxpayer by immigrants who become part of the welfare state. ============================================================================ For donations to NCOI/ACCA, please make your checks payable to Association for Chinese Community Affairs, and mail them to Mr. Frank Chen c/o ACCA; 361 Ogden Avenue, Jersey City, NJ07307 ============================================================================ To endorse ACCA's petition letters to Congress, write to acca@superprism.net following the computer retrievable format as attached: From: *your e-mail-address here" To: acca@superprism.net Subjest: Signature #NJ 07307, Mr. Frank Chen, 361 Ogden Avenue, Jersey City, or #NJ 07307, Mr. Frank Chen, (291)-299-8909 Please retain an extra copy for yourself. If you do not receive our petition letter and acknowledgment in return in two hours, PLEASE TRY AGAIN. Thanks. ============================================================================ More info about HR 1915: ftp at superprism.net:/pub/acca www at http://superprism.net:/~acca/ gopher://cnd.cnd.org/11/English-Menu/InfoBase/HR1915 or, write to acca@superprism.net, with "help" in the "Subject:" field. Further inquiries or inputs send to hr1915@math.luc.edu **************************************************************************** To sub/unsub acca-l@superprism.net send to: acca-l-request@superprism.net with "sub" or "unsub" in the "Subject:" field. **************************************************************************** Editor of this issue: Yi Yan **************************************************************************** ============================================================================ To (un)subscribe acca-l list, please write to acca-l-request@superprism.net with "sub" or "unsub" in the "Subject:" field, from your individual or local network redistribution account. You may also send your local redistribution address to hr1915@math.luc.edu. Committee on Immigration needs everyone of your support to protect our community and rights. ACCA's HR1915 infor-center through anonymous ftp at superprism.net:/pub/acca or www at http://www.superprism.net:/~acca. For auto-retrieval via e-mail, please write to acca@superprism.net, with "help" in the "Subject:" field. Also, please visit our CBS-IC infor-center, ftp superprism.net:/pub/cbs-ic or http://www.superprism.net:/~cbs-ic. National Chair of ACCA, Mr. Lin Huang (A.K.A. Mi Mi Sr.) ============================================================================ In Germany, they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; then they came for the Trade-Unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade-Unionist; then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I am a Protestant; then they came for me, and by that time no-one was left to speak up. --- Martin Niemoller --- ============================================================================