Communicating to Receiving Communities about Administrative Relief - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Communicating to Receiving Communities about Administrative Relief

Today’s Agenda Welcome and Introduction Jessy Molina and David Lubell, Welcoming America Immigration Law Overview – Kari Hong Kari Hong, Boston College Law School Q&As Tips for Effective and Positive Messaging on Administrative Relief Rachel Peric, Welcoming America and Amanda Cooper, Lighbox Collaborative Q&As

Immigration Law Overview Prof. Kari Hong Boston College Law School

When can someone receive permission to stay in the United States?  Family ties  Asylum (life is in danger in native country)  Employment

When does someone no longer have permission to be in the United States?  No longer have permission to stay in existing status ◦ E.g., tourist visa expires after 3 to 6 months ◦ Fails to apply to have conditions removed from green card (if based on marriage) ◦ Does not file the proper paperwork in time (family and employment)  Immigration violations ◦ Remaining without status ◦ Criminal acts ◦ Criminal convictions

What the old law used to be:  Before 1997, immigration law had a balance between eligibility requirements and discretion ◦ People could legalize if without status ◦ Could receive green cards after 7 years if established strong familial or community ties ◦ Could apply for waivers and pay fines to forgive immigration violations if had family or employment tie to remain

What caused the current immigration crisis?  In 1997, Congress passed the Ilegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) ◦ Ended discretion ◦ Ended waivers and fines ◦ Ended ways to legalize status ◦ Broadened crimes that could serve as basis for removal (deportation) ◦ Place strict time limits on applying for remedies (e.g., asylum)

What does the President Obama’s Executive Action help address?  Pathway for parents of citizen children and lawful permanent resident children to receive temporary status  Expands DACA  Eases processing of high-tech, skilled labor jobs  Attempts to change how non-citizens with criminal convictions are identified

What does the Executive Action not address?  Non-citizens who do not have children  Continues to remove/deport those with criminal convictions  Does not apply to people who entered the country after January 1, 2014  Will probably not benefit people who have convictions ◦ May include minor convictions such as DUIs

Information non-citizens need  Find reliable sources of information about the new programs ◦ Details and forms will not be released until 2015  If they have had any contact with law enforcement, meet with an immigration lawyer  Meet with credible attorneys and non- profit organizations ◦ Avoid scams and notarios

Resources  Finding facts, forms, and updates: ◦ http://www.dhs.gov/immigration-action  Finding a starting place to find an attorney ◦ http://www.ailalawyer.com  Economic and political benefits of executive action ◦ http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- office/2014/11/21/fact-sheet-economic- benefits-fixing-our-broken-immigration-system

Tips for Effective and Positive Messaging on Administrative Relief Rachel Peric, Welcoming America Amanda Cooper, Lightbox Collaborative

Nashville

Audience: Receiving Communities Photo credit: Welcoming Framingham

Good Messaging

From Policy to People Credit: Welcoming Long Island and Immigrant Nation

Good for communities Credit: Uniting NC

Define America

Prosperous Communities

New Americans who have been in the US for at least five years will add $6 billion more in payroll taxes in the first year of the program, and over $45 billion over five years.

Tough Questions

How do we get these stories out?