Americans value welcome, so why isn't this reflection in recent
legislation?
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌


 

 

 

**Welcome is an American Value**
Good afternoon,

Earlier this month, Republican lawmakers in Florida introduced a
legislative package including various immigration priorities. In line
with actions taken by other leaders
<[link removed]>
across the country, this proposal would likely have a harmful effect on
Florida residents and institutions, marking a step back for meaningful
immigration reform. The National Immigration Forum published an
explainer
<[link removed]>
on the package outlining five provisions that are particularly
concerning, especially for faith groups, hospitals, and businesses,
among others:

* Makes it a third-degree felony to "transport" or "harbor" certain
undocumented immigrants in the state.

* Invalidates the use of driver licenses issued by other states to
undocumented immigrants.

* Requires hospitals to collect immigration status information for all
patients.

* Prevents DACA recipients and other immigrants from obtaining a license
to practice law in Florida.

* Increases penalties for hiring undocumented immigrants.

Read the full report here
<[link removed]>
to understand more about these provisions and their harmful impact if
they are not revised.

Not only do these provisions further alienate and devalue our immigrant
neighbors and negatively impact the economy, but they also discourage
communities from welcoming and caring for them in even the most basic
ways.   

A recent poll
<[link removed]> from
the National Immigration Forum and the Bullfinch Group shows that the
majority of Americans - 76% of registered voters - support
Republicans and Democrats working together toward meaningful immigration
reform that creates pathways for immigrants (such as Dreamers and
farmworkers) and solutions for the situation at the border.
Additionally, a majority of respondents agree that the U.S. should
provide refuge for those fleeing persecution (68%) and that welcoming
newcomers is an American value
<[link removed]> (71%).
It's worth noting that the majority of self-identified Republican
respondents were also in support of these statements (74%, 55%, and 58%
respectively).

[link removed]


**Americans want to welcome. Click on the image to read more about the
polling. (Source: National Immigration Forum)**

If this is the case, why do leaders and lawmakers such as those in
Florida continue to present legislation that sends the message that
immigrants are not welcome? Anti-immigration rhetoric is not what
resonates
<[link removed]>
with the majority of Americans, who have shown time and again that they
have moderate views on immigration, which include finding bipartisan
solutions and welcoming newcomers through lawful pathways.

This is why it is incredibly important to continue raising our voices to
remind local and national leaders that welcome truly is an American
value that should be practiced and preserved. Please continue to reach
out to your Members of Congress <[link removed]> with us to send
them this timely message: immigrants are welcome here!

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Allison

**Allison Bassett**
Senior Field and Constituencies Associate
National Immigration Forum 

P.S. The Council on National Security and Immigration (CNSI)
<[link removed]> celebrated its anniversary
<[link removed]> earlier this
month, marking two years of national security leaders in the country
speaking up for immigration policies that welcome immigrants and
strengthen our country's security. Check out this video
<[link removed]> to hear about what CNSI stands for.

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**BAPTIST NEWS GLOBAL:**Polling is shifting on conservatives'
attitudes on immigration
<[link removed]>

**ROLL CALL:**House Democrats call to improve border appointment app
<[link removed]>

**BUSINESS INSIDER:** America's Lack of Immigration Reform Is Pushing
Workers to Canada, UK
<[link removed]>

**CBS NEWS:** U.S. to extend legal stay of Ukrainian refugees processed
along Mexican border
<[link removed]>

**AMERICA MAGAZINE:**Bishop Seitz on Biden's new asylum policy: Death
cannot be the cost of our immigration laws
<[link removed]>

 

Donate Now
<[link removed]>

 

**Follow Us**

 

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

National Immigration Forum

10 G Street NE, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20002

www.immigrationforum.org <[link removed]>

 

Unsubscribe from BBB emails here.
<[link removed]>

Or opt-out from all Forum emails.
<[link removed]>

 

                                               
           
_________________

Sent to [email protected]

Unsubscribe:
[link removed]

National Immigration Forum, 10 G St NE, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20002, United States