Bullock for President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 13, 2019

As Supreme Court Considers Case on Dreamers, Governor Bullock Rolls Out Comprehensive Immigration Reform Plan

 Plan Would Preserve DACA, End Family Separation, Increase Immigration Judges, and Secure the Border

Helena, MT –  After the Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday over the Trump Administration’s decision to end DACA, Montana Governor Steve Bullock rolled out a comprehensive plan to fix our broken immigration system by preserving DACA, ending family separation, increasing the number of immigration judges, and securing the border, among other proposals. 

Our immigration system has failed to meet the promise of freedom and opportunity that America was built on. That’s why Governor Bullock’s plan aims to fix this system by solving the humanitarian crisis on the border, modernizing our immigration system, resolving legal status of undocumented residents, securing the border with 21st century solutions, and reducing mass migration. 

“From vindictively targeting DACA recipients to spewing racist rhetoric, the biggest problem with our immigration system is Donald Trump. But once he’s gone, we still have a lot of work to fix our broken immigration system,” said Montana Governor Steve Bullock. “As President, I’ll make it a priority to pass comprehensive immigration reform, end family separation, secure our border, and ensure our DREAMers have a fair shot at achieving the American Dream.” 

Read the full plan here.

Highlights from the proposal: 

Solve the Immediate Border Humanitarian Crisis

  • End family separation and ensure kids are never put in cages
  • Reform our asylum system to ensure we address the needs of immigrants fleeing persecution and protect our national interests:
    • Restore and expand the successful Obama-era pilot program that allows refugees to apply for asylum in their home countries and, for those in immediate danger, to safely apply for asylum in a third country. 
    • Increase the number of immigration judges hearing cases and quickly and fairly adjudicate asylum claims.
    • Return integrity to our asylum process by reversing Trump’s decision to prohibit claims based on fear of domestic or gang violence.
    • Restore the Obama-era annual refugee admissions allowance to ensure that immigrants fleeing oppression can come to the United States.
    • Consider alternative options to detention that ensure our country’s safety, treat all people humanely, and save resources.
  • Refocus ICE enforcement on serious and violent criminals, drug traffickers, and cartel members, not on sensitive locations like churches, early childhood education centers, courthouses, hospitals, and schools
  • Stop building the wall. It’s an 18th century solution to a 21st century problem.
  • Reform civil detention standards so that, when detention is necessary, all facilities at least meet the minimum safety and sanitary standards mandated by Reno v. Flores and 2016 ICE detention standards.
  • Address access to seasonal foreign workers in a more comprehensive manner that doesn’t take jobs away from American workers or depress wages, but allows employers to hire seasonal staff.
  • Re-establish the Central American Minors (CAM) program to allow vulnerable children in Central America with a parent in the U.S. to apply for humanitarian relief from their home country and aid Venezuelans who have been displaced.  
Modernize our Immigration System and Resolve the Legal Status of Undocumented Residents
  • Stop deporting veterans by reversing Trump-era policies that deport veterans.
  • Prevent the deportation of military families by reinstating “parole in place” for families of active duty military.
  • Preserve DACA and provide citizenship to DREAMers. 
  • Work for Comprehensive Immigration Reform allowing undocumented immigrants the chance to get right with the law by paying a fine, going to the back of the legal immigration line, and learning English.
  • Implement a case-by-case program for deferred action for immigrants who have been in the United States for over 10 years.
  • Reverse Trump’s decision to halt work permits for H-4 visa holders that allow spouses of H-1B holders to receive work authorization — a rule change that predominantly harms women.
  • Ensure that Congressional districts are based on the actual number of residents.
  • Protect immigrants who report domestic violence and other crimes to law enforcement and whistleblowers who report poor working conditions.
  • Repeal Trump’s discriminatory Muslim and Refugee Bans that essentially bar Muslims from certain countries from entering the United States.
  • Establish naturalization advisory committees to help immigrants with naturalization assistance and adult education.
  • Broaden the naturalization fee waiver eligibility.
  • Allow the recapture of unused green cards.
Secure the Border Using 21st Century Solutions
  • Use the right mix of people and technology to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as they secure the border.  
  • Modernize our ports of entry to address capacity issues, fight drug trafficking, and support the U.S. economy through tourism and trade. 
  • End wasteful spending on building Trump’s wall that has been diverted from important military and humanitarian projects, harming our national security.
  • Crack-down on employers who willfully hire undocumented workers.
  • Reform DHS and appoint leaders at the agency who will humanely carry out the Department’s mission. 
  • Implement new accountability and support measures for CBP and ICE officers to ensure that officers have the resources and training to treat immigrants fairly.
  • Redesign Border Patrol and ICE stations to ensure they can humanely meet their mission to protect our borders and accommodate vulnerable immigrant populations. 
  • Create a border governance system that incorporates land owners and other key stakeholders.
  • End Operation Streamline which classifies asylum seekers as criminals regardless of circumstances.
Reduce Mass Migration By Supporting the Rule of Law in the Northern Triangle Region
  • Restore aid to organizations working to shelter at-risk people living in Northern Triangle countries — El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. President Trump cut this aid by two-thirds, dramatically increasing the flow of immigrants to our Southern border.  
  • Support the Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act which reverses cuts to foreign aid designed to reduce violence and corruption. It would also expand the Central American Minors initiative, while dedicating funds to tackling drug and human trafficking.
 
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