Consensus Statement—
Immigration Study

Reported by Dr. Lois Scibetta, Chair, Study Committee.
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The Voice Meeting was held on January 17, 2008, at Sun's Restaurant from 5:30 to 8:30pm. The nine questions for which there was no consensus at the first Voice Meeting were considered and discussed.

Each member of the study committee presented a question, the background information, and the related discussion questions. The attendees were then asked to vote, by a show of hands, to determine if the question/issue was of “High Priority, Low Priority, or Disagree”.

As noted, a total of nine questions were considered by the group. The first four questions related to what immigration laws should consider, the fifth question related to how the immigrants should be treated, and the final four questions dealt with enforcement issues.

The questions and responses follow:

Federal Immigration laws should take into consideration...
c. Environmental Impact/Sustainability
         Vote – Low Priority
e. History of Criminal Activity
         Vote – High Priority
g. Immigrant Characteristics – Health and Age
         Vote – No Consensus
k. Education and Training
         Vote – Low Priority

Unauthorized immigrants currently in the US should be treated...
Some deported/some allowed to stay to earn legal adjustment status based on needs of US employers.
         Vote – High priority

Federal Immigration laws dealing with unauthorized immigrants should be enforced by including:
iii. More effective tracking of persons with non-immigrant visas until they leave the country - increased funding
         Vote – High Priority
iv. Verification documents, green cards, work permits with secure biometric identifiers
         Vote – No Consensus
v. Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of employment visa status
         Vote – High Priority
viii. Significant fines proportionate to revenue for employers who fail to take steps to verify employment.
         Vote – No Consensus

Summary:

High priority issues identified by the voting members were, a history of criminal activity, some should be deported and some allowed to become citizens; more effective tracking of those with non-immigrant visas; and employer verification of employment status. Those issues identified as Low Priority, were environmental impact, education and training. There was no consensus on the use of work permits, green cards and other biometric identifiers, and finally, on fines for employers.

There was considerable discussion and debate over many of the issues raised. Immigration is a multi-faceted and complex issue. The study committee endeavored to focus on a balance between the needs of the US labor market and the effect on our infrastructure, and the needs of the immigrants who come to the US seeking a better life.

The final report was correlated, completed and forwarded to the LWVUS office in Washington DC by co chairs, Mary Kopp and Lois Scibetta on 1/21/08.

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