A report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) says immigrants, regardless of legal status, deserve guaranteed legal representation, U.S. identification, and occupational licensing ease. The recommendations were part of CAP’s 142-page Bold Ideas for State Action report, which presents “a new progressive vision for shared prosperity” and covers numerous social and economic topics.
“As the Trump administration has ramped up attacks on immigrant communities—indiscriminately targeting parents, young children, Dreamers, teachers, survivors of domestic abuse, and others for detention and deportation—several locales have created funds to support legal services and legal defense for immigrants,” the report stated. “Cities, counties, and states can follow their leadership by setting up similar funds to protect their immigrant communities, particularly for those in detention and facing enormous barriers to fighting their cases.”
The report noted such funds already created in localities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other places.
“Nationwide, only an estimated 37 percent of immigrants between 2007 and 2012 had legal representation, a figure that drops precipitously to only 14 percent for immigrants in detention,” the report stated. “Yet immigrants with counsel are significantly more likely to apply for, and receive, relief.”
When it comes to driver’s licenses and other identification, CAP recommends that states issue IDs regardless of an individual’s immigration status.
“Throughout the United States, without valid identification, a person can be barred from basic activities such as renting an apartment, confirming a hotel reservation, and picking up prescription medicines,” the report stated. “Unfortunately, the roughly 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the country must find ways to navigate their daily lives since they often lack identification of any format, including foreign passports.”
Third among the immigration recommendations was that states streamline licensing to allow migrant workers to more easily enter their occupation of choice in the United States.
“One of the main barriers for highly skilled, foreign-trained immigrant and refugee professionals is navigating the complex state licensing requirements, credential assessment services, and membership in professional associations often needed to work in occupations that match their skills,” the report stated. “These processes are lengthy and expensive, locking out many immigrants and refugees who are trying to adjust to their new lives.”
CAP added that low-skilled workers face a particular burden when seeking out a work license. And for those in the country illegally, it’s even more difficult.
“Although state licensing boards regulate licenses, federal law does not allow states to give professional licenses to unauthorized workers unless states actively pass legislation allowing them to do so,” the report stated.
Immigration, however, was only a small portion of the report, which covered a variety of issues, including the economy; education; health care; democracy; the environment; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer concerns; gun violence; and criminal justice.
The report’s introduction noted that the federal government is “mired in a state of dysfunction and reactionary politics,” and individual states must responsibly take the lead to make necessary changes.
“In showing that they can take action, states can help chart a pathway forward for all of America,” the report stated. “They can again prove that government is essential to guarantee American workers middle-class opportunities, the promise of the American dream, and access to safer, healthier communities.”
Read the entire report here.
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