If you live in the following states: MI, CA, IL, WI, MO, ME, KS, MI, MS, OH, MN, NH, CT, VA, FL, NJ it is especially important that you call or email your Senators and Representatives today!

Selected Representatives and Senators from the states listed above will be meeting next week to resolve differences between Senate and House bills meant to respond to the 9/11 Commission's Report. The Senate bill, S. 2845 is a bipartisan measure that the 9/11 Commission has endorsed and does not include the harmful and divisive anti-immigrant provisions in House-passed bill, H.R. 10. These provisions will not improve security and should not be considered in the context of national intelligence reform legislation. Please contact your Representative and Senators today!

Click Here to TAKE ACTION NOW!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Member of Congress. Use the phone script below as a guide.

Forward this email to five friends.

Background: H.R. 10 is dangerous for battered immigrant women because it significantly expands the "expedited removal" process by allowing immigration officials to remove, without a hearing, anyone who entered the U.S. without permission and who has been in the U.S. for less than five years. This would mean that women who are here legally would be deported before they have a chance to prove why it is legal for them to be here. This is particularly problematic for battered immigrant women because batterers could more easily threaten their families with deportation if they sought protection. In addition, this provision could enable abusers to avoid prosecution for their crimes by getting their victims deported without any recourse or ability to seek help from police or victim services.

Sample Phone Script:

"As a constituent, I am calling to urge you to support the bi-partisan Senate 9/11 bill, S. 2845, and oppose the divisive and dangerous anti-immigrant provisions included in the House bill, H.R. 10. One provision of the House bill has particularly dangerous consequences for women and children seeking assistance and safety from domestic violence. This provision significantly expands the "expedited removal" process by allowing immigration officials to remove, without a hearing, anyone who entered the US without permission and who has been in the U.S. for less than 5 years. This would mean that some women who are here legally would be deported before they have a chance to prove why it is legal for them to be here. This is particularly problematic for battered immigrant women because batterers could more easily threaten their families with deportation if they sought protection. In addition, this provision could enable abusers to avoid prosecution for their crimes by getting their victims deported without any recourse or ability to seek help from police or victim services. Please support the Senate 9/11 bill!"

Thank you for taking action on this critial issue!

Cited from: Action Alert: Urge Congress to Support the Bipartisan Senate 9/11 Bill!, Family Violence Prevention Fund, last visited 18 October 2004.