 | Tuesday, July 16, 2013 | | | Friends, Since the passage of immigration legislation in the Senate, leaders from a variety of sectors have come to the consensus that now is the time for immigration reform. With the Senate's passage of historic bipartisan immigration reform legislation, attention is now turning to the House of Representatives. Last week, the White House continued to make the economic case for immigration reform by releasing a report that underscores the extensive economic benefits of fixing our broken immigration system and the significant costs to our country and our economy if Congress fails to act at this important time. Specifically, the report highlights that commonsense immigration reform: - Strengthens the overall economy and grows U.S. GDP
- Fosters innovation and encourages more job creation and job growth in the U.S.
- Increases the productivity of workers and adds new protections for American workers
- Reduces the federal deficit, balances out an aging population, and strengthens Social Security
- Contributes to the housing market recovery, and
- Strengthens the technology, agriculture, and tourism industries, among others.
 Detailing these findings in his Weekly Address, the President urged the House of Representatives to act on commonsense immigration reform legislation. The report was released on the same day that the President and the Vice President met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). At the meeting, the President commended the CHC for its efforts to advance immigration reform in the House, reiterated his commitment to passing immigration legislation similar to the Senate bill this year, and discussed how the Administration will bring the economic argument for reform to the American public. The White House also released a new whiteboard: Why Immigration Reform Is Good For Our Economy, an animated stop-motion video detailing the range of economic benefits to the U.S. achievable through immigration reform. Later in the week, the President also met with Senators Schumer and McCain to discuss next steps for advancing immigration reform.  President Barack Obama meets with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House, July 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)On Friday, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced her decision to step down from her position, saying it was a privilege to serve the President and reinforcing her belief that the Department of Homeland Security would "continue to perform its important duties with the honor and focus that the American public expects." Following the announcement, the President issued a statement, thanking Secretary Napolitano for her service and stressing that the "American people are safer and more secure" thanks to her efforts in protecting our homeland. We wish Secretary Napolitano the best of luck in her next endeavor. Lastly, we created a short White House Immigration Roundtable tool-kit so you can engage business leaders in your community to speak out and speak up about the economic benefits of immigration reform. This is a critical time for you to join the President and others who are making the case for commonsense immigration reform. Please continue to make your voices heard, and thank you for your continued efforts to advance this issue! As always, please share with your networks and keep up the momentum in support of immigration reform! Julie Chávez Rodriguez
Associate Director
White House | Office of Public Engagement U.S., Canada Begin Phase II of Entry/Exit Project
July 3, 2013
At the beginning of the month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Canda Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced the joint implementation of Phase II of the Entry/Exit information system, a commitment of the Beyond the Border Action Plan. Under Phase II the exchange of information on non-U.S. or Canadian citizens crossing major land borders will be expanded. Hope, Perseverance, Family, & Access to Education
July 1, 2013
On June 6, 2013, the U.S. Department of Education hosted an internal immigration reform briefing in which we shared how comprehensive immigration reform relates to the work we do at the Department of Education. Immigration reform is not only about how the country deals with undocumented workers and the children they bring with them; it is also about how we help all immigrants assimilate and integrate into American society. After the Supreme Court ruled section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, the President directed all federal agencies ensure the decision and its implications for federal benefits were immediately implemented. Sec. Napolitano acted on that directive by ordering U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to begin reviewing immigration visa petitions for same-sex couples in the same manner as petitions from opposite-sex couples. USCIS Redesigns Replacement Citizenship and Naturalization Certificates
July 1, 2013 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned certificates for citizenship and naturalization for individuals who request replacement certificates (Form N-561, Replacement Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-570, Replacement Certificate of Naturalization). Speaking from the perspective of a former governor of a border state and the current Secretary of Homeland Security, Sec. Napolitano was proud to "applaud the U.S. Senate on their bipartisan passage of commonsense immigration reform". The United States and Canada Release Progress Report on Facilitating Cross-Border Business
June 26, 2013
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Canadian Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews, and Canada's Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney released a progress report entitled "Facilitating the Conduct of Cross-Border Business." This report, which is a deliverable of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, describes bilateral efforts to ensure business travelers benefit from more efficient and predictable border clearance processes. The Economic Benefits of Fixing Our Broken Immigration System
July 10, 2013
Economists, business leaders, and American workers agree – we must take advantage of this historic opportunity to fix our broken immigration system. At stake is a stronger, more dynamic, and faster growing economy that will foster job creation, higher productivity and wages, and entrepreneurship. The Promise of America: Welcoming Our Newest Citizens
July 5, 2013
More than 7,800 candidates will become citizens at more than 100 ceremonies across the country and around the world. Obama Administration officials participated in ceremonies which were part of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' annual celebration of Independence Day. Immigrants Begin New Journey as U.S. Citizens at Treasury Ceremony
July 5, 2013 Shortly after taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, Secretary Lew addressed thirty special guests in Treasury's historic Cash Room as "fellow Americans" for the first time in their lives. The special moment came during a naturalization ceremony held at the Treasury Department's headquarters in Washington, DC, and in front of the friends and families of the new citizens. Local Officials Help Welcome More Than 7,800 New Citizens During Independence Day Celebrations
July 4, 2013 One week after the United States Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill, local officials helped celebrate Independence Day by participating in naturalization ceremonies to welcome new American citizens. From July 1st to July 5th, over 7,800 individuals will become new citizens at more than 100 special ceremonies across the country and around the world. These ceremonies are part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) annual celebration of Independence Day. Commonsense Immigration Reform Will Strengthen Social Security
July 1, 2013 In a letter to Senator Rubio, the independent Social Security Office of the Chief Actuary provided a long-term analysis of the bipartisan Senate-passed Immigration Reform bill, demonstrating that commonsense immigration reform will strengthen Social Security over the long-term. Reform will ensure full Social Security solvency through 2035 and reduce Social Security unfunded liabilities by nearly half a trillion dollars through 2087. Senate Votes to Reform Our Nation's Immigration System
June 27, 2013 We took a big step forward with this Senate vote. But we haven't won the debate. This bill isn't yet a law, and there are a lot of policymakers who are still weighing their options. As the conversation unfolds here in Washington, we need you to be part of it. USCIS Posts Updated Data on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
USCIS has posted updated data on requests for consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals at www.uscis.gov/data. The data include: the cumulative number of requests received and accepted for processing, biometrics appointments scheduled, requests under review and requests approved and denied. The data also shows the number of accepted and approved requests from the top 20 countries of origin and location of residence. For further information regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, please visit www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals. Host an Immigration Action Roundtable in Your Community
President Obama is calling for a national conversation on immigration reform that builds a bipartisan consensus to fix our broken immigration system so it works for America's 21st century economy and security needs, but he can't do it alone. That is why we are asking you to continue the conversation in your community by hosting a roundtable. Apply for the Spring 2014 White House Internship Program
The application for the Spring 2014 White House Internship Program is now open. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today's young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office of the President and engage them in public service opportunities. Learn more about the program and the application process. The deadline to apply is September 08, 2013. Did someone forward you this email? You can sign up for email updates here. Stay Connected The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111 | | | | |
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