ARCA
Association for Residency and Citizenship of America
HOUSTON CHAPTER
FOR
A JUST END TO ALL LATE AMNESTY CASES
FOR
A JUST END TO ALL LATE AMNESTY CASES
LEGAL AMNESTY RESTORATION ACT OF 1999 INTRODUCED BY THE HON. SHEILA JACKSON
LEE
NATIONAL PRAYER SERVICE IN HOUSTON
FINAL DECISION FROM THE NINTH CIRCUIT ON NEWMAN V. INS AND CSS V. RENO |
MISSION STATEMENT
ARCA( Association
for Residency and Citizenship of America) is a national organization
composed of immigrants who are members in the Class Actions CSS vs. Reno
and LULAC vs. INS. This organization was founded in Houston, Texas upon
the principles of equality and justice, and seeks the resolution of all
Late Amnesty pending applications. We strongly believes that this population
deserves a solution on their cases and we emphasize the need to build a
strong support and cooperation to strengthen the rights of more than 400,000
members and their families.
History and Background
ARCA(Association for Residency and Citizenship of America) was organized in February 1998 by members of the commonly called Late Amnesty to provide support and to find a reasonable solution to the plight of 350,000 long-term residents who are class members in the cases entitled Catholic Social Service vs. Reno and Lulac vs INS.
In the State of Texas only, more that 30,000 people are living an agony. We are requesting the Clinton Administration to process all class members’ pending legalization applications, despite of any recently changes to the immigration law, and that the White House instruct the INS to adjudicate their long-pending applications following the same standards used by the INS in deciding all other legalization applications.
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 has made important changes to the legalization or amnesty programs that were enacted in 1986. Although the amnesty programs have elapsed, litigation has been pending more than ten years after the passage of the amnesty law. Many aliens have obtained temporary work authorizations pursuant to well known class actions such as Catholic Social Services (CSS) and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). In both these actions, plaintiffs CSS and LULAC contended that aliens were prevented or deterred from filing amnesty applications during the filing period (1987-1988) due to INS regulations that were subsequently rendered invalid. Court orders have enabled qualified aliens to file amnesty applications way beyond the filing deadlines. Aliens who met the eligibility criteria of the class actions were issued temporary work authorization. The delay in resolving this case is solely attributable to INS appeals has taken since 1988. Plaintiffs have not appealed a single decision in this cases since the lower court issued its remedial order in June 1988. Their status in the United States depends on the outcome of these lawsuits.
It was while INS’s most recent appeals were pending, that section 377 of the IIRAIRA, with the support of the INS, was enacted. Section 377 wipes out the ability of the federal courts to finally resolve the rights of thousands of “substantial cause” applicants, rights favorably ruled upon by the lower courts in Catholic Social Services and Lulac.
Section 377 of the 1996 Act states that no court has jurisdiction over any cause of action or claim by or on behalf of any person asserting an interest under the legalization provisions unless such person “in fact filed an application for legalization” or “ attempted to file a complete application” but had the application and fee refused by an authorized legalization officer.
Within days after Section 377 was enacted, the Justice Department has moved to dismiss the Catholic Social Service and the Lulac cases, reverting more than 350,000 class members to “illegal “ underground status on the streets of the United States. These applicants are here to stay, either legally or illegally.
The amendment made by subsection (a) is retroactive to November 6, 1986. It would be a manifestly unjust to apply the new law to this individuals. Even if the law generally applies, this court should not apply it to class members because it would result in manifest injustice. Although the Executive and Congress may dictate and administer the immigration laws, they may not do so in ways that violates protected rights of persons in the United States.
The Fifth Amendment, as well as the Fourteen Amendment, protects every one of these persons (noncitizens within the jurisdiction of the United States) from deprivation of life, liberty, or property whitout due process. Retroactive legislation may particularly offend the Due Process Clause.
Section 377 is aimed solely at the Courts. It contains no language, whatsoever which prevents the Clinton Administration from processing class members’ pending legalization applications.
The 1986 Amnesty law included strict confidentiality provisions. The veil of confidentiality could be lifted if the INS needed to make a determination on the application or for referral to a US attorney for criminal prosecution. The new law substantially dilutes the rigors of the confidentiality provisions. Section 623 authorizes the Attorney General to disclose the otherwise confidential information contained in amnesty applications.
Eligible class members are all long-term residents who have lived in the United States for over seventeen years. Over half have United States children, all under 21 years of age and therefore unable to confer an immigration benefit on their parents.
In the State of Texas more than 30,000 class members have been contributed to the growth of the state by paying taxes. If class members are no longer protected from deportation, they will sooner or later lose their jobs, their only way to support their families. They do not want to depend on the State’s help. All they want is their right to work without fearing to be exposed to arrest and detention by the INS.
Justice
and equity strongly mitigate in favor of a remedy for this population,
which has avoided criminal conduct, lived continuously in the United States
since before 1982, attempted to apply for legalization as permitted by
Congress, and would today mostly be eligible for Citizenship were it not
for INS’s unlawful policy of instructing them (erroneously, it turns out)
that they were “ineligible to apply for legalization.
Blanca Ramon, a CSS Class Member, has been part of the ARCA family for more than one year.Today we lost her, she died of a heart attack. Since the beginning she worked very hard, however she did not have enough time to make her dream become true. Blanca was under a lot of stress because of her migratory limbo, As a single mother of two children, it was very hard for her to support her family. Her heart could not resist so much pain, and many injustices !
A SAD GOOD-BYE TO A FRIEND AND ARCA MEMBER
Blanca, the many days and hours you devoted to help everyone will be long remembered. We are here to continue your work of love and dedication because you will be always on our heart.
Blanca is not the only case. We can not tolerate more injustices. We need a Fair Solution to All Late Amnesty cases because they are not only a file or Alien number they are human beings suffering. Day by day they are loosing their jobs, and their families are being split apart. One more time we ask whoever has the power, to solve this problem.
HUNDREDS
ATTENDED PRAYER SERVICE FOR LATE AMNESTY APPLICANTS
By Erik Noriega
The Texas Catholic Herald
HOUSTON- Thousands of immigrants in
the United States are living their lives in an "unfair limbo" according
to Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza, president of the National Conference fo Catholic
Bishops.
The Bishop was one of the several speakers
at a prayer service for the 350,000 late amnesty applicants in the United
States, held at Holy Ghost Church on June 4.
Other invited speakers were Auxiliary Bishop
James A. Tamayo, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 18th District Congressman
Gene Green, 29th District, and Rick Dovalina , President of LULAC. More
than 500 people attented the event which was sponsored by LULAC and ARCA.
"Today we lift our hearts pleading to God to move the hearts of our politicians
and our government to bring justice to a situation which is so patently
unjust and unfair" Bishop Fiorenza said. The bishop thanked the congressman
and congresswoman for their "brave and courageous leadership" on this issue
and expressed his hope that it would "rub off on other members of congress
and move our government to listen to what is certainly an unjust situation".
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, ranking Democrat on the Immigration and
Claims sub-commite, explained that it is no just Hispanic who are being
affected by this issue. "These are our familiy members and neighbors. These
are people from Africa, people from Asia, people from Central and South
America. These are people from all over the world"
She continued " It disturbs me when we hear
others in our nation say " these people are here illegally, they don't
want to contribute"; they are wrong" . "You have the right to be here.
You are contributing, you have loved ones and you deserve to be part of
this nation. You have giving your souls and your spirits to this country."
Perhaps Bishop Fiorenza capsulated the situation
best""There is a saying which fits this situation perfectly." justice delayed
is justice denied" and certanly justice is being delayed here by
not allowing tjpse wjp are trapped in this late amnesty situation to have
their cases adjudicated by the INS" Bishop Fiorenza said. "This delay in
justice is justice being denied".
URGENT CALL TO ALL NEWMAN (LULAC VS INS) AND CSS CLASS MEMBERS
On July 2, 1999, the court
issued a permanent injunction in Newman/LULAC v. INS requiring the INS
to accept and process legalization applications from Group 1 class members.The
INS is supposed to be renewing work permits for the time being. Two
days before, on June 30, 1999, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit Court
of Appeals issued an opinion in Catholic Social Services v. Reno (CSS II).
The court held (i) that the class action portion of the CSS II case is
too late because class members were front-desked several years ago; and
(ii) that persons who do not meet the jurisdictional requirements of s.377
may not challenge that statute as denying equal protection of the laws.
Please read the for a full description
BILL
WOULD HELP IMMIGRANTS AVOID DEPORTATION
DEMOCRATS
SEEK TO AID U.S. AMNESTY -SEEKERS
Legislation by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee D-Houston would reopen the amnesty applicaiton process for about 350,000 immigrants
Washington- Led by Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee,
several congressional Democrats called Wednesday for allowing tens of thousands
of illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States for almost two
decades to seek amnesty from deportation.
The drive is aimed at reopening the amnesty
application process for an estimated 350,000 immigrants about 20,000 of
them in Houston who were late filing paperwork because of a misinterpretation
of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act.
"The effects fo the current provisions have been
devastating," said Jackson Lee, a Democrat. "Late Amnesty individuals are
losing their work permits and this is causing hardships for families and
communities around the U.S."
Legislation sponsored by Jackson Lee would allow
the late-amnesty applicants to appeal Immigration and Naturalization Service
rulings to the federal courts and would encourage the agency to settle
the cases. No hearing has been scheduled in the House on her bill.
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision, the
Republican-led Congress enacted legislation sponsored by GOP Reps. Henry
Hyde of Illinois and Lamar Smith of San Antonio, Texas barring the immigrants
or their advocacy groups from seeking help from the courts.
"These hard- working, taxpaying individuals and
their families have increasing fears of deportation and separation" said
Rep Bob Menendez, D-NJ.
Rep Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill said the late-amnesty
applicants are not seeking government benefits. "We are not asking for
generosity" he said. " We are asking for fairness".
Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau by John C. Henry
To check the status of the
Bill in the House of Representatives please visit Thomas
106 Congress and enter Bill number HR 2125
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS AND ARCA IN HOUSTON
Multitalented and Emmy Award actor and activist Edward James Olmos came to Houston to promote his book Americanos. As a national spokesman for many communities and defender of Human Rights, Mr. Olmos had helped many immigrants nationwide. We at ARCA Houston decided to visit him to let him know about the critical situation of more than 400,000 families and request his support to the Late Amnesty cases.
Boletin Informativo en Español
QUE ES ARCA?
ARCAcomo
sus siglas lo indican Asociación para Residencia y Ciudadanía
de América es una organización no lucrativa compuesta
por miembros de la llamada “Amnistía Tardía” o también
conocidos por miembros de las clases CSS y LULAC que frente a las
injusticias cometidas con mas de 400,000 miembros y sus familias, decidieron
unirse para luchar por los derechos de este grupo de inmigrantes que han
residido en este país por casi dos décadas y a los cuales
irracionalmente se les han cancelado todos sus derechos. Nuestra organización
esta basada en el principio de justicia para todos por eso hace aproximadamente
hace un ano comenzamos nuestra lucha por la Justicia para todos los miembros
de la Amnistía Tardía.
LLAMADO URGENTE A TODOS LOS MIEMBROS DE NEWMAN (LULAC VS INS) Y CSS
En Julio 2, 1999 la corte
dio su decisio permanente en el caso Newman/Lulac v. INS ordenandole al
INS a aceptar y procesar las aplicaciones de Legalization de los miembros
de la Clase en Grupo 1. El INS esta supuesto a renovar los permisos de
trabajo. Dos dias antes, en Junio 30, 1999 un panel dividido de la Corte
de Apelacion del Noveno Circuito dio su opinin en el caso Catholic Social
Service v. Reno (CSS II). La Corte dijo que la porcion de la demanda del
CSS II esta muy tarde porque los miembros de la clase fueron rechazados
(front-desked) varios años atras; y que las personas que no estan
bajo los requisitos de la juridisccion de la Seccion 377 no pueden proceder
con su peticion de negacion bajo la proteccion de la ley.
Por
favor lea la actualizacion del para una descripcion
completa
HAZ OÍR TU VOZ EN LA CASA BLANCA
En vista de que nuestras peticiones estan siendo ignoradas
por la Admnistracion Clinton hemos iniciado una campaña de llamadas
a la Casa Blanca para protestar por sus acciones contra los Miembros de
la Amnistia tardia y para dejarles saber que nuestros hijos, familiares
y amigos americanos no daran su voto a quien nos esta dando la espalda.
El Vice-Presidente Gore esta basando su campaña el lograr captar
simpatia en nosotros los immigrantes pero nos envia cartas dandonos la
espalda a nuestro problema. Esa no es manera de lograr que mas de 6 millones
de votantes hispanos pienses en darles su voto. Porque elegir a alguien
como nuestro Representante si nunca nos ha mirando como sus iguales. Asi
lo mismo con todos aquellos que se dicen amigos y tratan de hablar nuestro
idioma sin comprender lo que significa ser immigrante. por eso es el momento
de dejarle saber a este Gobierno que seguimos luchando con todas nuestras
armas hasta que se haga justicia y que no nos quedaremos como la Abogada
de INS le sugirio al Panel de Jueces de CSS "underground".
PIDELE A TUS AMIGOS QUE LLAMEN A LA CASA BLANCA
202-456-1414
O ENVIALES TU MENSAJE POR E-MAIL
NOTICIAS DESDE MEXICO
ARCA
Association for Residency
and Citizenship of America
6926 Navigation
Houston, Texas 77011
A LOS
MEDIOS DE COMUNICACION
A
LA OPINION PUBLICA
Como Comite Directivo de nuestra organizacion ARCA-Houston nos dirigimos a usted respetuosamente para dar a conocer esta CARTA ABIERTA dirigida a la:
Embajadora
Rosario Green Macias
Secretaria
de Relaciones Exteriores
Republica
Mexicana:
Los abajo firmantes, ciudadanas y ciudadanos mexicanos pertenecientes a la organizacion ARCA (Asociacion para Residencia y Ciudadania de America ) nos dirigimos a usted para demandar el apoyo del gobierno mexicano en la defensa de nuestros derechos frente a las injusticias cometidas por el Servicio de Inmigracion y Naturalizacion.
Nuestra organizacion ARCA es la agrupacion de los inmigrantes afectados bajo los casos conocidos como “Amnistia Tardia” que afectan alrededor de 350 mil inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos, aproximadamente 245 mil de ellos somos mexicanos. Comenzamos a organizarnos en Houston en Marzo del año pasado cuando el Servicio de Inmigracion y Naturalizacion (SIN) comenzo a cancelar nuestros permisos de trabajo y de viaje y amenzo con iniciar procesos de deportacion bajo el amparo dela nueva ley de inmigracion aprobada en 1996 y cuya Seccion 377 nos privo del derecho constitucional a acudir a la Corte para defender nuestros derechos y enfrentar las injusticias del SIN quien de manera ilegal se niega desde hace mas de diez años a procesar nuestras aplicaciones para la Amnistia de 1986-1987.
Desde Houston hemos promovido la formacion de grupos en Los Angeles, Nueva Jersey, Miami, El Paso, Arizona, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Austin, Las Vegas, Pittsburg, New Orleans, New York, Atlanta y Chicago. Ademas contamos con el apoyo de las principales organizaciones Latinas e Hispanas de Estados Unidos tales como: LULAC, National Council de la Raza, MALDEF y el Caucus de Congresistas Hispanos en el Congreso Americano.
Durante un año de lucha hemos ido a Washignton tres veces, enviando miles de cartas al Presidente Clinton, el Vicepresidente Gore, la Procuradora de Justicia Ren, la Comisionada Meissner y diversos Senadores y Congresistas Republicanos y Democratas. Hemos empezado a ganar su atencion pero a la fecha todavia no hemos reconquistado nuestros permisos de trabajo y mucho menos una solucion definitiva a esta angustiosa situacion, Encontramos una falta de voluntad politica por parte de la administracion Clinton que tiene en sus manos la solucion a esta violacion masiva de los Derechos Humanos de tantas familias.
Lamentablemente, hemos tenido menos exito intentando llamar la atencion de las autoridades mexicanas, especificamente de la Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores que es la responsible de apoyarnos en la defensa de nuestros derechos como inmigrantes. Tuvimos varias reuniones con el Consulado Mexicano en Houston; asimismo la Direccion General de Proteccion y Asuntos Consulares esta enterada de nuestro caso dessde Junio del año pasado y hasta el momento no hemos sabido de ninguna accion de su parte en nuestro favor; al contrario, nos parece indignante que las autoridades mexicanas sigan exhibiendo una alarmante falta de conocimiento e interes sobre nuestra situacion.
Llevamos ya mas de 18 años viviendo y trabajando en los Estados Unidos, llevamos mas de 10 años residiendo legalmente en este pais y esperando que se haga justicia, llevamos mas de un año en un limbo migratorio que practicamente nos vuelve a colocar en una condicion de indocumentados, estamos perdiendo nuestros trabajos y no podemos viajar a ver a nuestras familias en Mexico y pese a todo esto: NO ESTAMOS RECIVIENDO NINGUN APOYO CONCRETO DE PARTE DEL GOBIERNO MEXICANO !!!
POR TODO ESTO DEMANDAMOS DE LA SECRETARIA DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES UN APOYO CONCRETO Y VISIBLE EN NUESTRA LUCHA Y UN COMPROMISO A MANTENERNOS INFORMADOS SOBRE LAS ACCIONES QUE REALIZEN.
Para que vean que no nada mas protestamos,
como primer paso proponemos:
La realizacion con caracter urgente de una reunion aqui en la ciudad de Houston en la que participen representantes de:
* La Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores
* Las Comisiones de Relaciones
Exteriores , de Asuntos Migratorios y de Derechos Humanos del H. Senado
de la Republica
* Las Comisiones de Relaciones
Exteriores y de Asuntos Migratorios de la H. Camara de Diputados
* La Presidencia de la Republica
* Los Abogados Peter Schey y Carlos
Holguin del Centro de Derechos Humanos y Leyes Constitucionales de Los
Angeles
( representantes
de estos casos en las cortes de Estados Unidos )
* La Asociacion para Residencia
y Ciudadania de America
Proponemos que esta reunion se realice durante este mismo mes de Abril o a mas tardar en Mayo con el fin de sideñar una estrategia conjunta para resolver esta injusticia.
En tanto se realiza esta reunion nos parece urgente que las autoridades y comisiones mencionadas arriba se dirija oficialmente a sus contrapartes en el gobierno y Congreso norteamericanos para:
1- Solicitar oficialmente informacion
sobre nuestra situacion.
2- Solicitar la renovacion de nuestros
permisos de trabajo mientras se soluciona el problema ya que la privacion
del derecho al trabajo contituye una violacion de nuestros derechos humanos.
3- Exigir proteccion contra la
deportacion y un trato justo bajo la ley para los mexicanos aplicantes
de amnitia tardia en Estados Unidos.
4- Exigir el respeto a los derechos
humanos de todos los inmigrantes.
Atentamente,
Comite Directivo de ARCA Houston
c.c.p. Presidencia de la Republica
Comisiones de Asuntos Fronterizos, de Relaciones Exteriores y de Derechos
Humanos de la H. Camara de Senadores
Comision de Relaciones Exteriores de la H. Camara de Diputados
Embajador de Mexico, Autoridades Consulares
Prensa Oral y Escrita de la Republica Mexicana y de los Estados Unidos
ARCA
Houston desea agradecerle al Dip. Alfredo Phillips Olmedo por haber ofrecido
su apoyo a nuestro trabajo. Desafortunadamente a la fecha son pocos los
que se han unido y por esa razon hacemos publica esta carta.
ARCA Houston would like to Thank Congressman Gene Green, 29th Congressional District of Texas, for supporting the Late Amnesty Members during the Conference in Washington D.C. on March 8th. Congressman we are Proud of You!
ARCA
Houston desea Agradecerle al Congresista Gene Green, Districto Congresional
29th de Texas, por apoyar a los Miembros de la Amnistia Tardia durante
la Conferencia en Washington D.C. en Marzo 8. Congresista Estamos Orgullosos
de Usted !
Visit our supporters and friends at:
| LULAC | |
| CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS | |
| SHUSTERMAN LAW OFFICE | |
| AMERICAN IMMIGRATION CENTER |
COMO
TE PUEDES COMUNICAR CON ARCA?
6926
Navigation Houston Texas 77011
E-mail: Arca-Houston@worldnet.att.net
Copyright 1999
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