---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 17:26:03 -0400
From: PAC WASHINGTON D.C. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: PAC Mailing List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: POLSKA SIEC <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
APAP <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: PAC Supports Legal Immigrants
POLISH AMERICAN CONGRESS SUPPORTS RIGHTS OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS
(Washington, DC - September 28, 2000) U.S. Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and
Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) plan to introduce the Immigrant Fairness
Restoration Act of 2000. This legislation would ensure that legal immigrants
(permanent residents) are afforded the same rights as citizens to remain
with their families and in their homes.
In 1996, Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration and Immigrant
Responsibility Act and the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act.
Together these laws mandated deportation of any immigrant who has been
convicted of a crime carrying a potential sentence of a year or more. The
law has had dire and tragic consequences for legal immigrants around the
country.
The immigration reforms enacted in 1996 do not distinguish between
convictions for check bouncing, or convictions for homicide. The law
prohibits immigration judges from considering such factors as how long ago a
crime was committed, or what kind of life an immigrant has led since.
The bill restores judicial discretion on immigration matters and ensures
that crimes are considered based on the law in effect at the time they were
committed. The bill further:
* Bars deportation of immigrants for crimes that didn't make them
eligible for deportation when the crimes occurred.
* Allows immigrants who were deported because of the harsh 1996 laws to
reopen their cases to attempt to prove they deserve a second chance.
* This bill returns to the pre-1996 standard of "crimes involving moral
turpitude" as grounds for deportation and ensures that relatively minor
offenses aren't necessarily grounds for deportation.
* Restores discretion to immigration judges to evaluate cases
individually and grant relief to deserving legal residents.
* Lets immigrants apply for cancellation of deportation if they have not
been convicted of a crime and sentenced to five or more years.
* Allows an immigrant to leave the United States temporarily for
emergency reasons and still be considered "continuously present" for
immigration purposes.
The Polish American Congress, through its State Divisions and national
organizations is calling individual Senators for support of this
legislation, because it affects Polish green card holders and their
families.
For information contact the PAC Washington Office: (202) 296-6955.
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