Defeat Anti Immigrant HR 4437 (English & en Español)

Defeat Anti Immigrant HR 4437- National Committee, Communist Party USA 12-20-05

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Click for the Resolution on Immigrant Rights from the CPUSA 26th National Convention

The passage of HR 4437, “Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 by a 239-182 margin by the House of Representatives December 17 represents a police state approach to immigration that is a dangerous threat to the basic rights of undocumented and documented immigrants and all the people of our country. It is an major part of the sweeping assault on Democratic rights by the far right Republican leadership in the White House and Congress. The bill in its entirety, all its punitive provisions and direction, must be defeated in the Senate. Also a majority and more of the House should be won to oppose it.

The bill criminalizes undocumented immigrants. It expands the definition of smuggling to include those who “knowingly” relate with them, like family, neighbors, clergy, teachers, unions, businesses. Local police agencies would be drawn into applying the repressive federal provisions. Anybody could be harassed, prosecuted, and persecuted. HR 4437 also would mandate employers, willing or not, to work with federal agents in determining who are “lawful “ workers. The border with Mexico will be further militarized technologically and a wall constructed over much of its length in a racist, chauvinist, threatening manner.

There are scores more extremist provisions in the bill. The Republican leadership of the House, with White House approval, used HR 4437 to codify the slogans of extremist proto fascist groups like the Minutemen into legislative language. In typical GOP fashion the bill was blitzed through the House on a fast track, with no chance for national discussion. The blitz has shifted debate on the issue to the right in the Senate and in the mass media. Extremist groups have been emboldened. The GOP is moving forward to make anti immigration hysteria and anti Latino biases key parts of its 2006 electoral strategy.

On the other hand the blitz has ignited a determined and growing fightback to defeat the letter and spirit of HR 4437 and to promote democratic approaches to immigration issues. By immigrant and civil rights groups, labor, religious, education, and other democratic forces. The enforcement only approach has also drawn opposition from key sectors of business.

It is possible to block up HR 4437 and reverse the rightwing direction of the politics of immigration by building the broadest and deepest coalition where the immigrants and their communities, religious institutions and unions play a central role. Racists, and nationalist prejudice must be fought with recognition that immigrant workers and communities are integral parts of the working class and people. The solution to the problems of undocumented immigration is democracy, equality, full legalization with a clear path to citizenship. We join with all of those who say:

Defeat HR 4437, An Injury to One is An Injury to All, Equal rights for All. Si Se Puede!

Call your Senators and Representative now while they are home for the holidays, involves others, help build coalition for immigrant and peoples rights.