Immigration Policy Center

Published on Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Never mind the plethora of textbooks, studies and scholarly articles exploring the cost-benefits dynamic of people who live in the country illegally.

Now there's a new game designed to break this complex issue into digestible fare for millions of Americans who feel lukewarm about the issue.

Published in the O.C. Register

Published on Mon, Apr 19, 2010

A new study published by the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Center demonstrates that the legalization of the 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States could raise the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of this country by $1.5 trillion over 10 years, and bring other benefits to U.S. workers and the nation's economy.

Published in the People's World

Published on Tue, Apr 20, 2010

Nativist groups have a history of trying to hide their anti-immigrant agenda under a green mantle. Back in the 90s, John Tanton tried to take over the Sierra Club and force them to adopt a position against immigration, but his tainted agenda rejected by truly green individuals. Well, if you can't join them, create your own group: Progressive for Immigration Reform (PFIR) is the latest Tanton Network creation, meant to trick progressive into backing hate.

Published in the Change.org

Published on Wed, Apr 21, 2010

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, ) has come under increasing criticism because of its poor treatment of would-be immigrants held in detention – including a number of unreported deaths – lack of medical facilities, administrative bungling resulting in loss of records, and absence of due process for detainees at ICE detention centers.

Published in the The World According to Bill Fisher Blog

Published on Sat, Apr 10, 2010

On Thursday, NumbersUSA — an immigration restrictionist group that calls for the suspension of most legal immigration — pounced on a report by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) which found, amongst other things, that legalizing undocumented immigrants would not have a “significant effect” on the economy. According to NumbersUSA director Roy Beck, PPIC’s study validates what his organization has been saying all along:

Amnesty supporters claim that illegal aliens are paid below average wages, but by offering them a path to citizenship, their wages will increase. The study by the non-partisan institute, however, says that’s not the case.

Published in the Wonk Room

Published on Thu, Apr 08, 2010

Recent reports have raised serious concerns about program failures, secret deportation quotas and the high costs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s controversial 287(g) program, which trains and authorizes state and local police departments to enforce federal immigration law.

Published in the Progressive States Network

Published on Wed, Apr 14, 2010

Immigrant families in Detroit, Columbus and Cincinnati on Wednesday gathered outside public buildings holding signs with the slogans "We love taxes!" and "Viva Taxes" in an effort to show that immigration reform would bring needed revenue to the government.

Similar demonstrations are planned for Thursday, Tax Day, in San Francisco and Washington, DC.

A recent report from the Immigration Policy Center and the Center for American Progress showed that legalizing undocumented immigrants would generate between $4.5 billion and $5.4 billion in tax revenue over 3 years.

Published in the The Hill

Published on Mon, Apr 12, 2010

Immigration reform needs to happen immediately. For too long, too many have lived under fear of deportation, their families being separated, and employers increasing hours while decreasing wages. There have been studies that suggest that an immigration bill will not only help immigrant families and communities, but the country as a whole.

Published in the Chicago Flame

Published on Sun, Apr 11, 2010

A new report released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) this week attempts to assess the economic benefits of a legalization program on immigrants and native born workers. The report, Immigrant Legalization: Assessing the Labor Market Effects, however, falls short on research and methodology. While the report accurately concludes that legalization would not have a negative impact on native workers’ wages and employment, the report takes a myopic approach to legalization’s impact on wages and mobility of the newly legalized. A wide range of economic studies—studies which consider legalization’s impact in both the long term and in context to comprehensive immigration reform—conclude that legalization does in fact benefit both native-born and immigrants alike.

Published in the New American Media

Published on Sat, Apr 10, 2010

Alondra Velasco is part of the underground economy, but she's a legitimate taxpayer in the eyes of Uncle Sam.

The 22-year-old Rialto resident works at a Mexican restaurant. She gets paid in cash because she's in the country illegally and doesn't have a Social Security number.

Like millions of Americans, Velasco will file a tax return this year, reporting her income and earnings to the Internal Revenue Service.

Published in the Contra Costa Times