Supervisors, Immigrants Urge Proactive Stance on Immigration Reform

by Casey Mills, Beyond Chron (reposted)

Wed, Jun 14, 2006 7:49AM

A coalition of immigrants rights groups and members of the Board of Supervisors joined forces yesterday to demand San Francisco take proactive action responding to immigration reform legislation likely on its way from Washington, D.C. The coalition called for $2 million in additional city funding to increase immigration legal services, English as a Second Language classes, and outreach and education to the populations that could be affected by the federal legislation, especially low-income and working class immigrants. Proponents hope these programs will help alleviate the confusion and hardship that federal immigration reform will undoubtedly cause for the city’s undocumented residents.

The U.S. Senate is currently debating legislation that would dramatically reform immigration law, with proposals on the table ranging from the criminalization of all undocumented people to implementing a guest worker program for immigrants.

Yesterday’s call for more funding came on the same day that the Board took up a resolution affirming the city’s opposition to any federal legislation that would criminalize undocumented immigrants.

In addition, the resolution called for the city to commit local resources to support immigrant residents in San Francisco - resources immigrant rights groups say will be vital to ensuring the city’s residents are able to navigate the federal reforms that are in the pipeline.

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http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3375#more

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