ROYBAL-ALLARD CALLS REPUBLICANS HYPOCRITES ON IMMIGRATION ISSUE

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard called House Republicans hypocrites for voting down two key amendments critical to immigrants during a contentious meeting of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday.

One of two amendments would have extended the 245i provision of immigration law, which permits green-card-eligible immigrants to pay a $1,000 fine and apply for lawful permanent residence in the United States without being forced to leave the country for up to one decade.

"Despite their efforts to woo Hispanic voters with promises to help immigrant families, Republicans showed their true colors by voting against a family-friendly immigration provision that would have extended Section 245i," said Roybal-Allard. "This vote demonstrates that the Republicans aren't serious about passing any immigration provisions that help keep families together and acknowledge the significant contributions that immigrants make to this country."

The second amendment would have prohibited the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) from deputizing state and local police agencies to enforce immigration law. Attorney General Ashcroft has proposed that the INS could deputize local law enforcement agencies in this manner, although it is not currently permitted.

"Our local police are already overburdened fighting crime and should not be sent out to perform the duties of INS personnel," said Roybal-Allard. "Minor civil immigration violations are not criminal acts and should be handled by trained immigration officials."

"If state and local police agencies begin to enforce immigration law, immigrant communities might hesitate to access police services, report crimes, or even step forward as witnesses to provide important information about criminal acts," added Roybal-Alllard.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard spoke in favor of the amendment to keep the functions of the INS and local law enforcement separate, and she urged her colleagues to support it. However, the Republican majority voted down the amendment.

"Republicans have made a lot of noise about being friendly to immigrants, but their voting record contradicts their rhetoric," said Roybal-Allard.

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Congresswoman Roybal-Allard
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