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LWVUS Immigration Position (adopted by consensus, April 2008)

The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. Provision should also be made for qualified persons to enter the U.S. on student visas. All persons should receive fair treatment under the law.

The League supports federal immigration law that provides an efficient, expeditious system (with minimal or no backlogs) for legal entry of immigrants into the U.S.

To complement these goals the League supports federal policies to improve economies, education, job opportunities, and living conditions in nations with large emigrating populations.

In transition to a reformed system, the League supports provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status.

The League supports federal payments to impacted communities to address the financial costs borne by states and local governments with large immigrant populations.

Criteria for Legal Admission to the U.S.

The League supports the following criteria for legal admission of persons into the United States:

• Family reunification of spouses or minor children with authorized immigrants or citizens;
• Flight from persecution or response to humanitarian crises in home countries;
• Economic, business and employment needs in the U.S.;
• Education and training needs of the U.S.;
• Educational program opportunities; and
• Lack of a history of serious criminal activity.

Administration and Enforcement

The League supports due process for all persons, including the right to a fair hearing, right to counsel, right of appeal and right to humane treatment.

The League supports:

• Improved technology to facilitate employer verification of employee status;
• Verification documents, such as status cards and work permits, with secure identifiers;
• Significant fines and penalties for employers who hire unauthorized workers;
• Improved technology for sharing information among federal agencies;
• More effective tracking of individuals who enter the United States; and
• Increased personnel at borders.

The League also supports programs allowing foreign workers to enter and leave the U.S. to meet seasonal or sporadic labor needs.

Unauthorized Immigrants Already in the U.S.

In achieving overall policy goals, the League supports a system for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status, including citizenship, by paying taxes, learning English, studying civics and meeting other relevant criteria. While policy reforms, including a path to legal status, remain unachieved, the League does not support deporting unauthorized immigrants who have no history of criminal activity.

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Results of the LWVOC Immigration Consensus Meeting (January 5, 2008)

Thanks to all the members who participated in the consensus meeting on January 5th. There were many complex issues to consider, but we did find common ground. Members generally believe legal immigration is a net plus for the US, but illegal entry makes unauthorized immigrants vulnerable to exploitation, is unfair to legal immigrants, may drive wages down for citizens, and creates a burden on local governments and infrastructure.

Unauthorized immigration must be brought under control by simplifying immigration law, approving immigration for nuclear families (spouse and unmarried dependent children) as a whole, and matching immigration quotas to business and economic requirements.

US sovereignty and national security must be reinforced, not undermined, by immigration policy. We should also tailor our foreign policy to help other nations redress the economic disparities that make the US so much more attractive than "home."

The US League will tabulate responses from all the local Leagues to determine if consensus has been reached and a position can be adopted. The consensus process is what makes League positions uniquely credible and respected. Thanks again to all who participated in League efforts to reach consensus on this timely and important issue.