[Legislative] Draft letter in support of our migrant justice bills

[Michael Heichman]

2/08/20

GRP Legislative Comm:

At some time in the short-term future, I want Adcom to send out an “action alert” to our members in support of our migrant/undocumented neighbors. It is hard to know when we will need a letter. Hopefully, we will have time to approve this at our next meeting on 3/02. However, in order to be effective, a letter may be needed beforehand.

Below is a draft letter that I want to send to Adcom. 

I ask that we work on this together by email.

Thanks,

Mike Heichman

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DRAFT LETTER ON MIGRANT JUSTICE FROM CO-CHAIRS TO THE GRP
BY MIKE HEICHMAN

Dear GRP Members:

For a very long time, there has been bipartisan support for policies attacking immigrants, especially the Undocumented.

The immigrant/undocumented community has asked the state legislature for years to pass two bills, and the Democratically-controlled legislature has failed to respond.

The Green-Rainbow Party is proud to stand with the immigrant community in defense of their human rights, and ask our members to contact their legislators!

To contact your State Representative and State Senator, https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator <https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator>

The first bill is The Safe Communities Act (H. 3573 and S.1401). 
https://www.miracoalition.org/safe-communities <https://www.miracoalition.org/safe-communities>

Key features of the Act:

Bars law enforcement and court personnel from asking people about their status unless required by law.
Before ICE questions someone in local custody, police must obtain their consent using a form that explains their right to decline an interview or have their own attorney present.
Bars police, court officers and jail officials from notifying ICE that someone is about to be released.
Ends contracts with ICE that allow state and county personnel to act as federal immigration agents, at state taxpayers’ expense. 
Requires law enforcement agencies to train their personnel about this law, and if there is an alleged violation, people can file a complaint with the relevant agency or the Attorney General.

The second bill is The Work and Family Mobility Act (H.3012 and S.2061). (Drivers License Campaign) https://www.aclum.org/en/legislation/work-and-family-mobility-act <https://www.aclum.org/en/legislation/work-and-family-mobility-act> 

A driver’s license is fundamentally a tool of public safety. It requires that all drivers receive training, pass a driver’s test, get their vision checked, and know the rules of the road. It also allows cars to get insured, providing more safety checks and resources. That’s why everyone who needs to drive on our roads should be licensed. It means better drivers and safer roads — for everyone who uses them.

These are people who we need to get licenses — and would get licenses, if they could. These are hard workers that many industries and employers rely on. They are parents who depend on carpools to get their kids to school or themselves to work. They are college graduates whose visas expired and can no longer hold a license. They are our neighbors who started new lives here after fleeing natural disasters, and are worried about when their Temporary Protected Status will end and their ability to drive will be taken away. They are the countless mothers and fathers whose American-born children will never have to face this barrier.

These 2 bills are the major legislative priorities of the immigrant/undocumented community. Our party is proud to stand with this oppressed community and asks you to contact your two legislators.

Thanks,

Maha and Charlene