RELEASE: Advocates Discuss Bold Reimagining of U.S. Immigration System

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Center for American Progress' Neera Tandenand Debu Gandhiwere joined by longtime immigration reform advocates Frank Sharryand Angela Kelleyand expert on the Latino electorate Clarissa Martínez De Castro to discuss a path forward on immigration policy. The call comes a day after CAP released a new planto secure and modernize America's broken immigration system.

A recording of the call can be found here.

Tanden and Gandhi discussed how their reimagining of U.S. immigration policy would help secure America's border without resorting to inhumane policies that terrorize communities, families, and children. They were joined in conversation by longtime immigration advocates.

"Our plan is to fix what's actually broken in the immigration system," Tanden said, "and to ensure that we have a rational immigration system-one that respects the rule of law, that secures the border, and still lives up to our values as a country."

Gandhi described the four core pillars that support CAP's vision for U.S. immigration:

1. Securing and controlling the border to stop illegal immigration.
2. Establishing an asylum system at the border based on last resort, not first resort.
3. Expanding all aspects of legal immigration.
4. Creating a secure, earned path to citizenship for the long-term undocumented.

Martínez De Castro, vice president of the Latino Vote Initiative at UnidosUS, described why Latino voters want to see immigration policies that improve border management and security while also providing safety to those seeking refuge.

"Fair, firm, and free of cruelty-that's the message from Hispanic voters on immigration," Martínez De Castro said. "They want policies that improve border management and security, provide safety to people seeking refuge, and advance legality for undocumented people with deep roots in our country. And they are increasingly concerned about abuses of power in this realm. As the most impacted community by the deterioration of our immigration system, and a decisive electorate, policymakers would be wise to heed their message."

Kelley, senior adviser with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said CAP's new plan offers long-awaited legal status and a path to citizenship for undocumented Americans, 80 percent of whom have lived in the country for more than a decade.

Sharry, founder and former executive director of America's Voice, described an "elusive sweet spot" that speaks to the majority of Americans when it comes to immigration policy-a spot he said he believes CAP's platform hits.

"Too often this debate is framed as: 'Should we do more or should we do less?'", Sharry said. "This isn't a tawdry trade-off. It's a necessary synthesis to be able to harmonize our tradition as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws."

Related CAP resources:

• Report: "A New Immigration System To Safeguard America's Security, Expand Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger"
• Fact sheet: "An Immigration Framework That Would Ensure Order at the Border, Keep Americans Safe, Increase Economic Growth, and Make Us Stronger"
• Call recording here.

For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].