Media
National Immigration Forum press releases and statements are issued to provide perspective on key policies, legislative actions, reports, and events. View our latest releases below. For prior year releases, use the navigation buttons at the bottom of this page.
Press Releases
Rivera to Immigrant Youth: No Dream for You Unless You Take ARMS
January 27, 2012
ARMS Act Is a Distortion of the DREAM Act Washington, D.C. — The Miami Herald reported on Friday that Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, filed the “Adjusted Residency for Military Service Act,” or ARMS Act. The legislation is a very limited version of the DREAM Act that would grant legal status to undocumented youth only if they serve in the military. The following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The introduction of the ARMS Act...
President Obama Urges Congress to Put Aside Partisanship, Work on Immigration Solutions
January 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.— President Obama on Tuesday used the bully pulpit of the State of the Union address to lift up the Administration's accomplishments on border security and call on Congress to work on comprehensive immigration reform "right now". He urged members of Congress to work together to pass DREAM Act legislation that would give talented young immigrants "a chance to earn their citizenship". "The President was right in stressing the importance of fixing our immigration system," said...
Effective Visa System Would Boost American Economy
January 19, 2012
Washington, D.C.—During a speech at Walt Disney World on Thursday, President Obama announced an executive order to make the United States the world’s top tourism destination by simplifying the process for obtaining tourism visas. The executive order includes plans to streamline and speed up the visa process for certain non-immigrant applicants in China and Brazil. The following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The Obama...
Forum Statement on Muñoz Appointment
January 10, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama Tuesday announced the appointment of White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz as the new Director of the Council of Domestic Policy (DPC). Below is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The National Immigration Forum applauds President Obama’s decision to name Cecilia Muñoz as head of the Domestic Policy Council. Clearly, President Obama values the expertise and guidance of...
New Immigration Rules Will Keep Families Together
January 10, 2012
Families, Faith and Civil Rights Communities Praise Changes to Family Unity Immigration Waiver Processing To listen to the recording of this call, visit our press audio archive. WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week proposed regulations that will change how U.S. citizens’ spouses and children who are eligible for a green card can file their applications for family unity, allowing them to do so from within the U.S. On a press call today...
National Guard Troops Drawdown is a Smart Way to Prioritize Resources
December 21, 2011
Washington, D.C. — The Obama Administration announced on Tuesday the reduction of National Guard troops at the Southwest border from 1,200 to 300 in 2012. The Guard had been deployed on a temporary basis since August 1, 2010, to assist Department of Homeland Security Border Patrol agents along the Southwest border. They were originally scheduled to withdraw on June 30, 2011, but the Administration extended the deployment through December 31, 2011. The following is a statement by Ali Noorani,...
Ahead of Iowa Debate: Clear Choice on Immigration for GOP Hopefuls
December 15, 2011
Endorse Shameful Abuses or Support Common-Sense Immigration Approach Washington, D.C. — The National Immigration Forum applauds the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) findings of the three-year civil rights investigation of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The DOJ report is the federal government’s “harshest rebuke” of Arpaio. According to the report, a leading expert “concluded that this case involves the most egregious racial profiling in the United States that he has ever...
Supreme Court to Review Unconstitutional SB1070
December 12, 2011
Washington, D.C. —The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will review the Department of Justice’s challenge to Arizona’s immigration law, SB1070. Arizona’s harsh immigration law has inspired a series of similar laws in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana and Utah, with provisions requiring local police to determine the immigration status of individuals they “reasonably suspect” are in the country illegally, among other provisions. The following is a statement from Ali...
Yes They Can! House Republicans and Democrats Work Together on Immigration Legislation
November 30, 2011
Washington, D.C. — The House approved on Tuesday legislation adjusting the distribution of employment and family-based immigrant visas. By a vote of 389 to 15, the House passed H.R. 3012, “the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act.” “The passage of H.R. 3012 proves that both Republicans and Democrats can work together for important immigration reforms,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The legislation is a small but important step in...
New Steps in Deportation Policy Welcome
November 17, 2011
Real Changes on the Ground will be the Real Test of their Effectiveness Washington D.C. — On November 17, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin to review the 300,000 deportation cases currently pending. ICE also issued additional guidelines to its prosecuting lawyers and will begin a nationwide training program for ICE personnel. The DHS review aims to prioritize the deportation of immigrants who are pose a threat to public safety or national security and deprioritize the...
