Immigration Law

(Written with help from my English Students)

All over the country, Americans of all colors are coming out to protest a new “anti-immigration” law. The law: HR 4437 the Hastert/Sensenbrenner “Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act” is intended to make America safer. However many people say that the bill will do little to make America safer, and do much to hurt immigrants tourists and the American way.
The new law has already passed in the House of Representatives, and Republicans are trying to pass the law quickly in the Senate, before there is any debate.
Here are some parts of the new law:
 It will be illegal for any person, organization or agency to aid illegal immigrants in any way. If the bill is passed, services like doctors, free English Classes, and shelters and even churches could be used to put illegal immigrants in prison.
 It will make immigration laws “aggravated felonies.” The term Aggravated felony” is usually for the most violent crimes like intentional murder and rape.
 The bill will change the “Burden of Proof.” In the United States, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. The new law will make the immigrant responsible for proving that he or she is here legally.
 Local governments and police will be given the right to take care of immigrants as they want to without the courts getting involved. All government agencies (even the fire department and hospitals) will be required help find illegal immigrants.
 The government can deport even legal immigrants for minor crimes. These minor crimes will be classified as “aggravated felonies” and will have harsh penalties.
 700 miles of border fence .
 Mandatory worker legal verification through electronic means for all employers phased in over several years.
 Elimination of the visa lottery.
If you want to do something about this law, you can write to your Senators. Also there will be a March against H.R. 4437 - Friday, March 10th at noon at the Federal Plaza (Kluczynski Building), 230 S. Dearborn St. When: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Come join immigrants from all over the nation in a historic march this Friday, March 10th at 12 noon! We need to send a message to the nation!