Robin ThorleyBrenda Ayón Vanessa Reyes

Maribel Martinez

March 5th, 2009POLI SCI 126C

- 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

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 VisasBorder entry- dangers

Immigrants have established lives in the U.S.A

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 Act110th Congressional approach (2007-2008) - S. 1348

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

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 gov’t 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.

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/Segmented/New Assimilation may call for different aspects of a Comprehensive Immigrant Reform.

[Any Questions ?]

The Public Isn’t Necessarily Divided Along Party Lines; Illegal Immigration Is A Delicate Issue With Varying

Perspectives Concerning Appropriate Immigration Reform.