Immigration Reform--DV Lottery Should not be eliminated

The Senate mark up of the Immigration bill is set to start once members of congress return from their spring recess, sometime from May 3, 2013. It is therefore important that anyone with interest in the bill contact their respective representative, especially the U.S senator to express their support of the bill and the need for some compassionate and sensible modifications to the bill.

The bill eliminates the DV lottery, a visa category that conservatives have rallied against. We believe this is wrong. The DV lottery was conceived to address the historical bias in the U.S. immigration laws that made it difficult for certain people to enter the U.S. Africans, Irish, Asians were literally not wanted in the U.S. Though the DV lottery has made it possible for more people from these places to enter, there still remains huge imbalance in the admission rate. It is therefore premature to  eliminate the DV lottery.

Lives have been lifted and futures brightened for thousands of families, thanks to the lottery. The beneficiary's, in turn, helped their families and dependents. This in effect has became a very successful U.S foreign policy programs without expense to the U.S. Treasury.

U.S. has been blessed with talents and energy from the DV winners and their families. Businesses have been created; several of DV winners have joined the U.S military and served; others have become successful professionals. It will be a shame to let this very successful program be eliminated.

844 Pages of the Immigration Reform Bill

The test of the Senate bill is finally out. All 844 pages of the bill. We will provide section by sections analysis. In the meantime, our friends at the Advocates for Human Rights have prepared a chart that analyzes the human rights sections of the bill.

Outline of the Senate Bill

We now have the detailed outline of the new bill

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Introduced in Senate

Today, the Gang of 8 United States Senators will introduce the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, aimed to address most of the problems with the current immigration laws. The key components are: regularizing the status of 11 million undocumented people present in the United States that will result in creating a path to Citizenship; enhancing security at the border with Mexico; universal E-verify for all employers; and creating an easier path for employers to get the workers they need--skilled and unskilled. The Washington Post has a story today with more details about the bill.