Call Immediately on Immigration secret evidence amendment
URGENT this just came in 11:15 am ET (please get to the key folk on immigration immediately) and get back on the phone: 202 224-3121 or your local legislators’ offices
Excerpt: “This amendment gives the Attorney General unreviewable discretion to use secret evidence to determine if an alien is ‘described in’ the national security exclusions within immigration law. “
Secret Evidence Amendment on Senate Floor Cornyn Amendment Would Allow Use of Secret Evidence
Thursday, May 24, 2007…Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced an amendment (#1148) to the on-going immigration debate that would deny lawful permanent residents the opportunity to become U.S. citizens based on secret evidence. This issue is of vital importance to the Arab-American community. ADC members are urged to immediately phone both their senators asking them to VOTE NO on the Cornyn amendment.
Senators are voting on this amendment as early as 12:15 EST. As this late breaking amendment has just been added and will be voted on very shortly, we are asking everyone to call rather than email their senate offices.
The US Capitol operator is (202) 224-3121.
Find out who represents you in the US Senate: http://capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/. Keep in mind, everyone has two senators. Be sure to call both offices.
Talking Points:
Cornyn’s Amendment denies lawful permanent residents the opportunity to become U.S. citizens based on secret evidence:
• This amendment gives the Attorney General unreviewable discretion to use secret evidence to determine if an alien is ‘described in’ the national security exclusions within immigration law.
• A person applying for naturalization could have her application denied and she would never know the reason for the denial.
• For example, if a lawful permanent resident was giving money for Tsunami relief and accidentally gave money to a charity controlled by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, then that person could be denied citizenship on the basis of secret evidence and there would be no review in the courts.
• In sum, it allows deportations based on the unreviewable determination by executive branch that a person lacks “good moral character”; determinations can be made based on secret evidence that the person cannot even see let alone challenge.
VOTE NO ON THE CORNYN AMENDMENT
May 24th, 2007 at 11:52 am
The calls are working–here’s what I just got in my email box:
Look at what is happenning with that Immigration Bill now that people have honed in on it. Shuler’s aid told me if we had this kind of costituency we would have 808 (Dept of Peace bill) on the floor. They had 240 calls a day. I feel greatly inspired by the Immigration episode. It means the people still have the power when they engage in mass.
Connie