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Legislative Updates
We routinely monitor immigration-related legislation in Minnesota and the U.S. To learn more about a specific piece of legislation, please read below. To find out how you can impact immigration policy, please select one of the categories to the right. To find out more about local and national immigration policy, please visit the Minnesota Legislature, the U.S. Senate, or the U.S. House.

May 1 is Immigrants of Distinction Day
Mayors Coleman and Rybak have, by proclamation, declared May 1 to be Immigrants of Distinction Day.

Action Alert - Your Immediate Help is Needed
Immediate calls are needed to urge Minnesota Senators Coleman and Klobuchar to join their colleagues in calling upon the Attorney General to review the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals in In re A-T-.  Please take time to contact Senator Coleman and Senator Klobuchar to sign on to this letter.

League of Women Voters Releases its Immigration Position
The League of Women Voters (LWVUS) of the United States did a study of immigration and developed the following position after nearly two years of study and input from 850 Leagues across the country. LWVUS will use this position to lobby for comprehensive immigration reform. The League opposes deportations and supports earned citizenship for unauthorized immigrants.

Presidential Candidate Views on Immigration (U.S.)

Compare and contrast what Presidential candidates have said about the issue of immigration.

Support the Dream Act in 2008 (Minnesota)
An action alert from the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network (MIFN).

2007 Federal Dream Act (U.S.)
In March 2007, The DREAM Act was reintroduced in both United States chambers of Congress.

Governor Pawlenty on Illegal Immigration (Minnesota)
Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced executive actions and legislative proposals to counter illegal immigration.

The Advocates' Response to Governor Pawlenty (Minnesota)
Statement in Response to Governor Pawlenty’s Actions Relating to Immigration.

Summary of 2007 Legislation on Immigration (Minnesota)
Includes a summary of key issues and outcomes of Minnesota Legislation.

No-Match Letters (U.S.)
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) has created an informational fact sheet describing DHS's final rule on no-match letters.

Liberian Deferred Enforced Departure (U.S.)
Liberians, whose Temporary Protected Status had been due to expire on October 1, 2007, have been granted Deferred Enforced Departure for 18 months.  Find out more about DED.

Liberian Temporary Protected Status (U.S.)
On Monday July 30, 2007, a bill TPS for Liberians was passed in the House.  Although the bill is a step in the right direction, it does not allow for permanent residence for Liberians.

Material Support to Terrorists (U.S.)
This page provides an explanation of how the Real ID Act and the Patriot Act have broadly defined what is considered providing material support to terrorists and details the grave consequences these laws have had on refugees and asylum seekers.

Ethnic Heritage and New Americans Working Group (MN)
A working group formed within the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Immigration Toolkit for Policy Makers

Overview of Toolkit contents

Drivers Licenses and Undocumented Immigrants

NILC Fact Sheet: Why Denying Driver's Licenses...

Separation Ordinances and Local Immigration Enforcement

The Advocates for Human Rights Fact Sheet: Local Enforcement of Immigration Law

"Immigration Officials Detaining, Deporting American Citizens," McClatchy Newspapers...

Protection of Vulnerable Minnesotans

"Suit Says Disabled Man Wrongly Deported," Associated Press...

State Penalties for Employment Violations

NILC, Basic Pilot/E-Verify: Not A Magic Bullet...

Proposed Expansion of "Aggravated Forgery" Definition


ILRC Civic Participation Training Packet
Available in English and Spanish.

This website is made possible with funding from the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Foundation for Education, Public Health and Social Justice - a supporting organization of the Minneapolis Foundation.