Monthly Archives: December 2013

A Look Back at Our Fight for Immigration Reform in 2013

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Together with our Affiliates, we have fought tirelessly to make immigration reform a reality, relentlessly working over the course of the year to urge Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but as we reflect on the past twelve months, it is clear that our combined efforts have gotten us to where we are today:

  • A bipartisan bill passed through the Senate,
  • A House proposal with 190 cosponsors,
  • Thirty House republicans publicly stating support for a path to citizenship, and a vast majority of Americans supporting reform.
  • An unprecedented civic engagement and education campaign centered around reform which included registering voters, calling and visiting our representatives in Congress, holding demonstrations and prayer vigils, and participating in acts of civil disobedience.

That work will continue until House leadership gives America a vote and an immigration reform bill gets to the President’s desk—because it is in the best interest of the country, our economy, and American families.

As the year winds down, let us take a look back at the year that was 2013 to reflect on our successes and consider where we go next.  Continue reading →

This Week in Immigration Reform – Week Ending December 20

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Week Ending December 20, 2013

This week in immigration reform: NCLR looks back on the year in immigration reform; a new Secretary and Deputy Secretary are confirmed at the Department of Homeland Security; ICE releases its deportation numbers for fiscal year 2013, revealing that deportations remain far too high despite a slight dip in overall deportations since FY 2012; and NCLR, its Affiliates, and partner organizations keep immigration reform in the public eye by meeting with members of Congress and organizing debates on immigration reform.

–-2013 in Immigration Reform: NCLR looks back on a hard-fought year of struggle.  This week, NCLR looks back on the struggle for immigration reform in 2013.  NCLR and its Affiliates fought tirelessly this year to make immigration reform a reality, relentlessly working to urge Congress to pass immigration reform legislation. Our community has much to be proud of – and yet we still have a lot of work ahead of us.  As we look back on the past twelve months, however, it is clear that our hard work has gotten us to where we are today, and that only more hard work will get us to the finish line in 2014.  We won’t stop fighting for our families until House leadership gives America a vote on immigration reform and a strong bill gets to the President’s desk. 

NCLR has also shared the best photos from its and its Affiliates’ immigration reform efforts this year – check it out on Facebook here.

Starting on Dec. 26th NCLR will begin tweeting the “twelve gifts of immigration reform” – follow NCLR on Twitter (@NCLR) to learn about several of the many benefits our country would enjoy if Congress would get to work and pass immigration reform.

–New leadership takes the reins at DHS.  The Senate confirmed Jeh Johnson on Monday Dec. 16 as the next Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). Johnson replaces former Secretary Janet Napolitano, who resigned this past summer.  Alejandro Mayorkas, the current head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has also been confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

NCLR looks forward to working with the new leaders of DHS to ensure that the agency implements its policies and is held accountable.

—ICE releases FY 2013 deportation numbers; despite dip, still too many deportations.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released its fiscal year (FY) 2013 deportation numbers on Thursday Dec. 19.  While these latest numbers feature a slight reduction in removals when compared to FY 2012, the change is nowhere near the dramatic decline we would see if ICE more fully implemented prosecutorial discretion and deported only those who truly present a threat to our safety.

NCLR and Affiliates in action. 

Arizona: The NCLR Action Fund held a debate on immigration reform in Tempe, AZ on Saturday Dec. 14th.  The Action Fund partnered with the League of United Latin America Citizens (LULAC), the Maricopa Community Colleges District, the Raul H. Castro Institute for Public Policy at Phoenix College, Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform, and the Real Arizona Coalition to put on the event, titled “From Ground Zero in the Immigration Debate.”

Colorado: The NCLR Action Fund and NCLR Affiliate GOAL Academy met with Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) on Saturday, Dec. 14th, to discuss the road forward for immigration reform and the ways in which the Congressman can lead his fellow Republicans toward passing constructive legislation in 2014.

Imm_reformupdate_12_20_2013 Joe Harimillo, Director of NCLR Affiliate GOAL Academy’s English-Language-Learning programs, Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), and Jesus Altamirano, organizer with the NCLR Action Fund, after meeting to talk immigration reform on Saturday, Dec. 14. 

The Affordable Care Act & Average Deductible Rates

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The latest installment of our Instagram Q&A Video series on the Affordable Care Act comes to us today from Abel in Texas.

Remember: The last day to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1 is Dec. 23 (that’s next Monday). So sign up now before it’s too late!

Question: What is the average deductible rate?

Thanks for the question, Abel! We’ve got your answer below.

Want us to answer your questions about the new health care law? All you have to do is fill out this mobile-friendly form. We’ll take it from there! Keep those questions coming!

Visit our YouTube channel for a more detailed response to this question.

Low-income Borrowers & Minorities Need Other Sources of Mortgage Credit

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By Enrique Lopezlira, Senior Policy Advisor, NCLR Policy Analysis Center

Sold Home For Sale Sign in Front of New HouseThe financial health of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, a fund that insures mortgages made by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on single-family homes, has improved substantially, according to a recent report by the agency.  Although the fund is still in the negatives, FHA expects the fund to meet its 2 percent capital reserve ratio by 2015—two years earlier than predicted by an independent actuary last year.

This improvement is more impressive when considering the countercyclical role FHA played during the housing crisis.  FHA saw its share of the housing market balloon fivefold during this time.  As private capital fled the industry, FHA continued to ensure that families had access to mortgage credit.  By carrying out this role, FHA prevented a further erosion of both housing prices and jobs.  Continue reading →

The Steady Progress of Marriage Equality

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By Edward Carlson, Policy Analyst, Civil Rights Policy Project, NCLR

Marriage Equality

Today, the New Mexico Supreme Court handed down a ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the “Land of Enchantment. It is now the 17th state, plus Washington, DC., to have done so. Last month, Hawaii became the 15th state to allow same-sex marriage.  In a fitting tribute to a state that began the controversy nearly decades ago, Hawaii came full circle when its governor signed its same-sex marriage bill into law.  Not to be outdone, more than 4,000 miles away, the Illinois legislature passed its own a same-sex marriage bill and was signed by the governor, making it number 16.  In short, it has been a magnanimous two months for same-sex couples, some of whom have waited years to have their love for each other recognized by the state.

This was also, without a doubt, a victory for the Hispanic community.  Both Hawaii and Illinois are states with growing Hispanic populations, and New Mexico’s Latino community is also a vibrant presence in the state.  In Hawaii, while “the state’s overall population has increased by just 12 percent since 2010, the Latino population has surged by 38 percent.”  In Illinois, the growth is even more pronounced.  The Hispanic community makes up 16 percent of the total population in the state, and between 2000 and 2010 there was 32 percent growth.

But this is really a victory for everyone.  When rights are denied or people are treated differently based on immutable qualities, everyone is impacted.  Illinois, for example, already had civil marriage for same-sex couples, which gave them all the rights and responsibilities of marriage, but the law did not recognize them as married before the state.  Besides the confusion that this can cause in state agencies when same-sex marriage partners apply for benefits, there is something inherently wrong with having separate but equal institutions to unite people.  There is also something grossly unfair about the federal and state governments not recognizing people who want to dedicate their lives to each other.  Continue reading →

New Budget Deal Is an Okay First Step, but Far From Perfect

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Jar of MoneyYesterday, by a vote of 64-36, the U.S. Senate passed the “Bipartisan Budget Act.” Under the provisions of the budget, $23 billion in funding for programs will be restored that were severely slashed by budget sequestration. Still, it does not altogether replace the massive cuts due to sequestration, nor does it fully restore funding for domestic priorities that have been slashed by multiple rounds of budget cuts. It is a far from perfect budget, but it is certainly a first step.

“We are pleased to see lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree to a budget that mitigates the harm of another round of deep cuts to the health, education and employment programs that Latinos and other communities need to survive,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President  and CEO, in a statement.  “Latinos understand the importance of deficit reduction but strongly believe that it cannot come at the expense of our children’s health and education.  Congress is finally listening to the American people who overwhelmingly rejected the policies that led to the government shutdown.  We hope that today’s vote marks a turning point for how Congress handles federal budget policy moving forward.” Continue reading →

In an Unequal Country, Latinos Occupy the Bottom Rung

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 Investing in Children Can Ensure a More Prosperous Future

 By Leticia Miranda, Senior Policy Advisor, Economic Security Policy, NCLR

 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAEarlier this month, President Obama called income inequality the “defining challenge of our time.”  Indeed, the reality of America is that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, challenging the very premise of the American Dream, that anybody who works hard enough in this country can move up the economic ladder.  Unfortunately, Latinos are at the bottom rung.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data using the new Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), revealing that there are more poor Americans overall, and that Hispanics have the highest rate of poverty in this country among every racial and ethnic group, at nearly 28 percent.  The SPM counted almost 15 million Latinos as poor in 2012, about one million more than were counted using the official measure of poverty.  The official measure of poverty, which is still in use, counts pre-tax cash income and makes no other adjustments.  Unlike the official measure, the SPM accounts for the impact of critical noncash antipoverty programs such as food assistance and subsidized housing, the value of refundable tax credits, and the differences in costs of living by region and housing type.  It also adjusts for expenses such as out-of-pocket medical charges, payroll taxes, and child care costs.  Continue reading →