Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
April 14, 2006

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Urges Congress to Enact Comprehensive and Humanitarian Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON, DC – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has joined other civil rights organizations in the widespread call for comprehensive and humanitarian immigration reform that addresses the major flaws present in the current immigration system.

“Immigration policy that guarantees national security while not compromising the fundamental civil rights and human rights of all people must be implemented to address the growing influx of immigrants into the country,” said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee.

As outlined in a resolution adopted by unanimous consent of the Board of Directors and Trustees, the Lawyers’ Committee urges Congress to enact immigration legislation that includes the following five key elements:

• United States immigration law should create a path to permanent residency that allows hard-working immigrants meaningful opportunities to become lawful permanent residents and eventually United States citizens;

• Immigration laws should be effectively enforced consistent with humanitarian values and with the need to treat all individuals with respect and dignity;

• Reform proposals should protect the due process rights of immigrants facing deportation, including access to fair, humane, and common-sense procedures;

• Legislative reform should support family reunification by reducing the backlogs and long waiting periods for immigrant visas which have prevented many U.S. citizens and permanent residents from reuniting with their families; and

• Immigration reform should not penalize individuals or organizations that provide humanitarian aid to undocumented immigrants
The full text of the Lawyers’ Committee’s immigration resolution can be found at www.lawyerscommittee.org.

The Lawyers’ Committee is a forty-year old nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights legal organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to provide legal services to address racial discrimination.

Download PDF

back to Press Releases