Kerry introduces Families First Immigration Enforcement Act

[ProSense]

09/20/2007

Kerry introduces Families First Immigration Enforcement Act

Bill would require safe and humane polices in all immigration enforcement operations

BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today introduced the Families First Immigration Enforcement Act, a bill that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to use safe and humane policies and procedures when dealing with the arrest, detention and processing of anyone involved in workplace immigration enforcement operations. Senator Kerry first introduced this important legislation as an amendment to the failed comprehensive immigration bill this summer.

“While I recognize the importance of enforcing our immigration laws, it is absolutely critical that we also respect basic human dignity. Regardless of one’s legal status in our country, we are all human beings and deserve to be treated as such,” said Senator Kerry. “The immigration raid in New Bedford earlier this year was a stark reminder of how easily these civil liberties can fall by the wayside. That is unacceptable. When people are treated inhumanely, entire communities suffer, including children and the elderly. I strongly urge my colleagues to take a stand against these injustices and support the Families First Immigration Enforcement Act.”

Kerry’s legislation would require Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to:

afford access to state social service agencies to screen and interview detainees. A majority of the problems in raids across the country arose from the fact that people were too scared or intimidated to provide information to ICE agents. Social service agencies are better equipped to handle child and family needs;

give sufficient notice to these state agencies so they can arrange for representatives who speak the detainees’ first language fluently and for any other services that may be needed;

place aliens in detention within the jurisdiction of the local ICE field office (to the extent that space is available). Previously detainees, many of them nursing mothers, have been shipped off to facilities hundreds of miles away from their families to await a determination of their status;

provide a toll free number for families to use after a raid, to report their relationship to a detainee or for more information about the status of their loved one; and

allow the aliens access to legal orientation presentations provided by independent, non-governmental agencies through the Legal Orientation program (in cases of raids with the apprehension of 50 or more). This program cuts down on confusion and allows the detainees to fully appreciate their rights.

In addition, if a detainee has humanitarian grounds for release, such as a medical condition that require special attention, or pregnant women, nursing mothers, parents who are the sole caretakers of their minor children or elderly relatives, parents who function as the primary contact between the family and those outside the home due to language barriers, parents who are needed to support their spouses in caring for sick or special needs children, parents whose spouses are ill or otherwise unable to be sole caretaker, and minors, within 72 hours of their apprehension, if they are not subject to mandatory detention, or pose and immediate flight right, they shall be released on their own recognizance, on minimum bond or placed in the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP).

[JI7]

1. of course you wont get any responses

from the ones who always jump in with "why doesn't Kerry do anything important" anytime he does something hey don't like.

[MBS]

2. Wow, this is wonderful

More and more, I think him as a Jedi knight. Heroism, thoughtful heroism, on so many fronts.

[blm]

3. Excellent - and typical of Kerry to draft this bill.

.

[Eric J in MN]

4. That's great. It's horrible how people are being imprisoned....

...just on the suspicion they may be here illegally, including children.

I'm glad John Kerry is taking action.

[pampango]

5. Massachusetts should be proud of its senators.

Both Kennedy and Kerry have been leaders in the compassionate approach to immigration reform.

[babylonsister]

6. I'm sure this is sorely needed; thank you, Senator! nt

[sandnsea]

7. Good

I wonder if we're ever going to have a country that cares about people again. Sometimes I wonder if we ever did.

[pampango]

9. This is a step in the right direction. n/t

[politicasista]

8. K&R

:kick:

[gateley]

10. Well done, Kerry! nt

[Eric J in MN]

11. Where is this from? I can't find anything else about "Families First Immigration Enforcement " NT

NT

[ProSense]

13. Here

kerry.senate.gov

[AuntPatsy]

12. so sad how they continue to malign this honorable man's charachter.

We are very lucky to have him though he is not always appreciated.

[ProSense]

14. I think

they bash Kerry because people are desperate for failed leadership. What else would they have to complain about? That's the only reason I can think of.

[mloutre]

15. ...therefore iamb.

O, who is writing poetry sublime?

Iamb, Iamb, Iamb, Iamb, Iamb.

When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many things Iraq sought,
And with old woes new wail the dear lives lost:
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And weep afresh freedom's since cancell'd woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish'd right:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bewasted loans,
Which we new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on Bush, dear friend,
All losses are enhanced and gladness ends.