Principles
Comprehensive immigration reform must include the following principles:
Path to U.S. Citizenship: All immigrants who live and work in the United States, paying taxes, and contributing to the good of this nation should have the opportunity to pursue permanent resident status and citizenship in the United States.
Family Reunification: Family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents should have the legal means to immediately re-unite with parents, spouses, and children in the United States and have access to education and employment opportunities.
Legalization of Future Migration Flows: Immigration laws should establish a mechanism to legalize future migration flows so that immigrants who fulfill the economic needs or who are pursuing family reunification could enter legally, with full respect to their rights as human beings and as workers, and with a path to permanent resident status and citizenship.
Protection of Human Rights, Dignity and Due Process: Human rights and due process protections must be guaranteed to all people, regardless of immigration status. Immigration enforcement practices should respect the dignity of all, and should not use racial profiling and other discriminatory practices.
Protection of Workers and Employers: Immigration law should provide employers with a mechanism to hire and retain valued employees, while guaranteeing employees a right to change employers and providing a path to apply for permanent resident status. Workers’ rights, including the right to unionize, shall be guaranteed to all workers. Immigration law should not place the burden and cost of enforcing immigration laws on employers.
Adopted on October 24, 2006