Let’s Relax Americans take pride in our immigrant history!

The United States has benefited greatly from immigration and celebrates its immigrant heritage.

Immigration: The truth is two-fold: The United States has benefited greatly from immigration and celebrates it immigrant heritage, AND The U.S. has always been fundamentally ambivalent about newcomers and their role in society.

“When we get tough on people, not problems, then all of our rights are at stake.” Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

A few simple facts… Immigrant Americans contribute to the economic, social, cultural fabric of the U.S.

Past & Present Immigration Foreign-born as a percent of the population 14.7% in % in 2010 (Note: Canada 17%. Australia 24%.) Immigrants as a percent of U.S. workforce 24% in % in 2010 Percent of U.S.-citizen children living in immigrant families 28% in % in 2010 Source: U.S. Census and Urban Institute A few simple facts…

Immigrants – including undocumented – pay taxes. Sales tax, Property taxes including property taxes paid through rent, Income taxes and social security taxes withheld from their paychecks. A few simple facts…

Immigrants – including undocumented – pay taxes. According to the 2008 annual report on Social Security, taxes paid by undocumented are projected to cover 15% of the system’s long-term deficit. How Immigrants Saved Social Security, New York Times editorial, April 2, A few simple facts…

A Nebraska-specific study found that immigrants – including undocumented – pay 7% more in taxes than they receive in services. Nebraska’s Immigrant Population: Economic and Fiscal Impacts University of Nebraska – Omaha 2008 As a population, immigrants – including undocumented – pay more in taxes than they receive in services. A few simple facts…

Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all major public benefits. This includes Welfare/TANF, Medicaid*, and food stamps. Even legal immigrants are not eligible for the first five years. A few simple facts…

University of Nebraska local study of Lexington, Nebraska Immigrants create jobs: “Immigrants are consumers as well as workers, and because they eat, buy housing, spend on entertainment and shop locally, they also add to the demand for labor in the local economy.” ”How Does Immigration Affect Local Demand? A Model and Test from Rural Nebraska,” Research in Labor Economics, 2005 Immigrants create jobs and increase wages for U.S.-born workers. A few simple facts…

For most undocumented, there is no way to apply for legal status or citizenship in the U.S. because our laws don’t allow it. Under current immigration law, if a person does not have family in the U.S. and is a medium-skilled or manually-skilled worker, there essentially is no way to apply to work in the U.S., except on a seasonal basis. A few simple facts…

The family-based system has backlogs and long waiting periods. An unmarried son or daughter of a US citizen from the Philippines, waits 15 years for a visa. From Mexico – 19 years From China – 7 years From India - 7 years Spouses and children of legal permanent residents wait 2.5 years. Brothers and sisters of adult citizens wait years. A few simple facts…

Where are we now? It’s time to update an antiquated system. We need common-sense immigration laws that uphold our values and move us forward together.

Where are we now? The Senate passed a thorough, bipartisan bill with a clear & attainable path to citizenship June Excessive border amendment. Now we need the House to take action on HR15 or similar.

Common-sense federal immigration laws will… Create a strong foundation for our families, businesses, economy, and future. Cut the deficit: The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate bill with a path to citizenship will cut our national deficit by nearly $200 billion over 10 years.

Common-sense federal immigration laws will… Increase already significant tax contributions by immigrant Americans… 2013 Report released by Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Undocumented immigrants’ state and local tax contributions in Nebraska: Current: $42,341,000 After reform: $52,589,000

Common-sense federal immigration laws will… Mean Better Health for Children and Families. New national report: 4.5 million U.S. citizen children have a parent w/o immigration status. More than 400 U.S. citizen children per day separated from parent by detention or deportation.

More than 50 Nebraska organizations representing thousands of Nebraskans support common-sense immigration laws Faith, Business, Labor, Civic, Rural, Children & Families, Civil Rights…

Recent support in Nebraska Nebraska Coalition for Immigration Reform: Nebraska Restaurant Association Nebraska Cattlemen League of Women Voters Nebraska Appleseed, etc. Held 5 community roundtables across the state in 2013: immigration has been a net positive, is critical to future, & we need updated immigration laws.

Recent support in Nebraska August recess, 21+ events: Bibles, Badges, & Business Forum. Keep Nebraska Families Together press conferences. Children’s drawings. College of St. Mary forum, mtgs w/Congressmen, etc.

Recent support in Nebraska October 2013: Families’ March and Rally for Dignity & Respect – 2,000 Nebraskans Tens of thousands nationwide Oct

Recent support in Nebraska Continuing vigils and events across the state: Omaha, Columbus, Grand Island…

Recent support in Nebraska Nebraska’s State Legislature passed a bipartisan resolution for common-sense immigration laws in April 2014.

Your voice can make a difference! Make a call to your elected officials! Go home and ask your friends/family to do the same. Short letters to the editor – common-sense, not silence. We need common-sense immigration laws that uphold our values and move us forward.