Take Action! -- Stop H.R. 1932

Despite being called the "Keep Our Communities Safe Act," H.R. 1932 actually allows the government to keep immigrants locked up for years without access to a hearing. Today, SEARAC launches the "Protect Immigrant Communities Against Indefinite Detention--Stop H.R. 1932!" letter writing campaign to urge Congress to oppose this bill. Reasons why SEARAC is opposed to H.R. 1932:

• It would allow the government to detain an immigrant for years without giving him or her the right to appear before an immigration judge to determine whether he or she poses a danger to society or is a flight risk.
• It authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants for a range of offenses indefinitely and would detain many people who are not flight risks, and pose no risk to public safety or national security.
• According to the National Immigration Forum, the average cost of detaining an individual is $45,000 a year. At a time when the economy and families are suffering, this country cannot afford to spend money locking people up--people who would otherwise be contributing to their families and to society.

Congress is expected to take up the bill when they return from recess after Labor Day. Between now and September 6, 2011, please help us to  send letters to Congress opposing H.R. 1932. Click on this link to send your personalized letter today!