IMMIGRATION REFORM
The Justice Movement advocates for the passage of immigration laws that will be fair, compassionate, respected, and enforceable, including (1) residence permits and an eventual path to citizenship for all immigrants in the U.S. who have not committed serious criminal offenses and (2) work permits that allow immigrants to come to the U.S. to work at jobs according to the needs of employers.
Approximately eleven million people in the United States are undocumented immigrants. About two-thirds of them have lived in the U.S. for more than a decade and many are parents of U.S.-born children. Since 2010, about two-thirds of new undocumented immigrants entered the U.S. legally and have overstayed temporary visas. Only about one-third arrived by crossing the border illegally.[78]
“Most Americans have a respectful view of immigrants, and would support long-term measures to make legal residence possible.”[79] According to a 2012 Marist Institute for Public Opinion poll, “74 percent of Americans would back legal residence for illegal immigrants, provided they paid a fine, learned English, and had a job that would pay taxes.”[80] “Eight out of 10 Americans said they believed the U.S. could act to secure its borders while also respecting immigrants. The same proportion of respondents approved of immigrants’ hard work and family values.”[81]
The support of immigration has increased in recent years. A 2020 Gallup poll found that “77 percent of Americans surveyed considered immigration a good thing for the United States, the highest level in two decades.”[82]
In a 2021 poll, “69% of voters surveyed—including a majority of Republicans—supported a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants if they meet certain requirements. A greater share (72 percent) supported citizenship for immigrants brought to the United States when they were minors, who are often referred to as Dreamers.”[83]
“Most Americans have a respectful view of immigrants, and would support long-term measures to make legal residence possible.”[79] According to a 2012 Marist Institute for Public Opinion poll, “74 percent of Americans would back legal residence for illegal immigrants, provided they paid a fine, learned English, and had a job that would pay taxes.”[80] “Eight out of 10 Americans said they believed the U.S. could act to secure its borders while also respecting immigrants. The same proportion of respondents approved of immigrants’ hard work and family values.”[81]
The support of immigration has increased in recent years. A 2020 Gallup poll found that “77 percent of Americans surveyed considered immigration a good thing for the United States, the highest level in two decades.”[82]
In a 2021 poll, “69% of voters surveyed—including a majority of Republicans—supported a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants if they meet certain requirements. A greater share (72 percent) supported citizenship for immigrants brought to the United States when they were minors, who are often referred to as Dreamers.”[83]
[78] Robert Warren, “Reverse Migration to Mexico Led to US Undocumented Population Decline: 2010 to 2018,” Center for Migration Studies (February 26, 2020), available at https://cmsny.org/publications/warren-reverse-migration-022620/.
[79] “Poll finds Americans respect immigrants, want ‘non-partisan’ solution,” Catholic News Agency (June 26, 2012), available at http://www.catholic newsagency.com/news/poll-finds-americans-respect-immigrants-want-non-partisan-solution/ .
[80] Id.
[81] Id.
[82] Claire Felter, et al., “The U.S. Immigration Debate,” Council on Foreign Relations (August 31, 2021), available at https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-immigration-debate-0?gclid=CjwKCAiA24SPBhB0EiwAjBgkhq7OQZ7Zl OyJxoM9xaiMO2O HaY-5yipMcJBElLVIV7l2jrPj2MVA3xoCYWkQAvD_BwE.
[83] Id.; Nicole Narea, “Poll: Most Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” Vox (February 4, 2021), available at https://www. vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/2/4/22264074/poll-undocumented-immigrants-citizenship-stimulus-biden.
[79] “Poll finds Americans respect immigrants, want ‘non-partisan’ solution,” Catholic News Agency (June 26, 2012), available at http://www.catholic newsagency.com/news/poll-finds-americans-respect-immigrants-want-non-partisan-solution/ .
[80] Id.
[81] Id.
[82] Claire Felter, et al., “The U.S. Immigration Debate,” Council on Foreign Relations (August 31, 2021), available at https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-immigration-debate-0?gclid=CjwKCAiA24SPBhB0EiwAjBgkhq7OQZ7Zl OyJxoM9xaiMO2O HaY-5yipMcJBElLVIV7l2jrPj2MVA3xoCYWkQAvD_BwE.
[83] Id.; Nicole Narea, “Poll: Most Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” Vox (February 4, 2021), available at https://www. vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/2/4/22264074/poll-undocumented-immigrants-citizenship-stimulus-biden.
