Annual Report 1999-2000
Opening a Window for Change

PROGRESS ON POLICY ISSUES

A New Climate

In the first months of 1999, the booming economy and growing immigrant political power brought new and powerful players to the traditional pro-immigration alliance.
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan became a vocal supporter of more liberal immigration. Acute labor shortages were noted in several important industries, prompting employers to organize nationally to expand immigration. And, in early 2000, the AFL-CIO announced an historic change of policy, calling for a number of measures, including legalizing hardworking, taxpaying, undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and repeal of the current employer sanctions.

The Fix ‘96 Campaign

The Forum initiated its Fix ‘96 campaign in July 1999, with partners in Washington and around the country, to repeal or soften harsh anti-immigrant provisions enacted in 1996. The campaign harnessed many independent initiatives that were attempting to mitigate the damage caused by this legislation.

The campaign’s initial press conference, held in the U.S. Capitol, focused on due process issues and presentations by three immigrants who had firsthand experience of the 1996 legislation’s negative impact. Two large rallies of immigrants and advocates, combined with timely press conferences, helped build momentum.

The Forum circulated a series of Fix ‘96 mini-publications, each one highlighting a specific aspect of the 1996 legislation and including a brief story about an individual or family affected by the laws.

In these and other ways, Fix ‘96 has done much to bring the real effects of these unfair laws to the attention of the press and public, but progress has been slow. Clearly, a long-term effort is required to ensure that reason and fairness ultimately prevail.

Justice for Central American Refugees

One of the Forum’s highest priorities for 1999 was to monitor the implementation of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA). We focused on securing generous regulations spelling out what Salvadorans and Guatemalans must prove in order to stay in the U.S.

The Forum issued informational updates to the press, Capitol Hill, White House and advocates to rebuff accusations that liberal regulations would amount to a de facto amnesty for illegal aliens. In late May 1999, the NACARA regulations were finally issued and were largely positive. They minimized burdensome paperwork by assuming that eligible Salvadorans and Guatemalans met a key requirement.