NEA on Illegal Aliens

The National Education Association passed their annual resolution in their July 2008 convention. They seem to concern themselves with issues far beyond the scope of EDUCATION. Here's a synopsis of the NEA stand on illegal aliens and immigration. (emphasis added)

B-20 (NEA) " further believes that students who have resided in the United States for at least five years at the time of high school graduation should be granted amnesty by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, granted legal residency status, and allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship, and that legalization not be used as an incentive for or be dependent on military service." (1980, 2005)

B-21 (NEA) "advocates the implementation of bilingual/bicultural and remedial instructional programs that address the individual instructional needs of migrant students in the United States, regardless of the availability of federal and state funds to support such programs." (1975, 1996)

B-11. Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identification Discrimination
". . . Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, occupation, and religion must be eliminated."

I-19. Migrant Workers (NEA) "is concerned with the plight of migrant workers. The Association supports the efforts of migrant workers to be represented in collective bargaining by the organization of their choice. (1985)"

I-20. Immigration (NEA) "opposes any immigration policy that denies human and/or civil rights or educational opportunities to immigrants and their children regardless of their immigration status, hinders workers’ abilities to organize, imposes excessive fees and fines on those seeking legalization, or criminalizes individuals or groups who support or assist immigrants regardless of their status. (NEA) "also opposes any policy that makes legalization or naturalization dependent upon military service and/or service in a combat zone. The Association condemns such policies as inhumane and discriminatory." (1984, 2007)

New I. César Chávez Day* (NEA) " believes that César Chávez Day should be a state holiday in every state to focus on the importance of human relations. (NEA) " encourages the observance of this day to promote reflection and action for social justice." (2008)

B-10. Racial Diversity Within Student Populations (NEA) "believes that a racially diverse student population is essential for all elementary/secondary schools, colleges, and universities to promote racial acceptance, improve academic performance, and foster a robust exchange of ideas."

I-1 (NEA) "supports the principles stated in the United Nations (UN) Charter and believes that the UN furthers world peace and promotes the rights of all people by preventing war, racism, and genocide." (NEA) "further believes that Education International contributes to peace and international relations by promoting dialogue among the world’s education employees. "

"Delegates adopted the report of the 2007-08 resolutions committee as recommended . . ."

RNC asking for Platform input

The only mention of illegal immigration I could in Platform Issues was under National Security - Secure Borders in the new RNC request.

The Republican National Committee is requesting input on the Party Platform:
"The Republican Party is seeking your input as we develop the policies and principles upon which we should stand for the next four years. On this website, you can share your thoughts, participate in polls, and communicate directly with the policymakers who will be shaping the party's agenda. All comments and feedback will be reviewed and taken into full consideration as we prepare for our convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul."

However "illegal immigration" search does come up with 88 hits. I briefly looked through the first 40 (the last 2-3 days) Virtual every one voiced the NO AMNESTY opinion (meaning "immigration reform" a.k.a. Sale of Citizenship to the lowest bidder)

In the last 30 minutes 8 more posts - most virtually identical. "I want the Republican Party to get serious about ending illegal immigration and reducing overall immigration numbers. I hope the GOP platform includes attrition through enforcement measures and an end to chain migration policies."

They may have underestimated their members distaste for amnesty - hopefully they'll listen and the platform will again reflect the opinion of the people. See articles below on Platform history.

Program lets illegal immigrants volunteer to leave

You've got to give them credit for creative headlines; I had no idea Americans were keeping illegal aliens captive.

AP posted the article with the Headline "Program lets illegal immigrants volunteer to leave"

Excerpt:
"Those folks will be able to walk into an ICE office and say I'm here and I want to go home," Bassett said. They will not be jailed as most people are who are arrested because they are believed to be in the country illegally, she said. They will not be required to wear tracking devices, she said.
Jim Hayes, the acting ICE detention and removal director, said some 572,000 people in the country have final deportation orders but have not committed a crime."

Hayes denied that the voluntary departure program was designed to increase the numbers of immigrants removed from the country or as a political move in the ...

ICE program: Volunteer for deportation, get 90 days to leave family Contra Costa Times
Bush Administration Finds "Solution" for Illegal Immigration ... AOL News Newsbloggers
Comment by Ira Mehlman Federation for American Immigration Reform
all 163 news articles »

Here's the actual ICE release on the subject: Excerpt: "There are approximately 572,000 ICE fugitives in the United States, including 457,000 who do not have criminal histories. An ICE fugitive is defined as an alien who has failed to depart the United States based upon a final order of removal, deportation, or exclusion from a U.S. immigration judge, or who has failed to report to ICE after receiving notice to do so. Only non-criminal fugitive aliens are eligible for the program and will be screened by an ICE officer when reporting to verify status. ICE officers will update immigration databases, and explain supervision requirements to eligible aliens. Aliens who qualify would be allowed to remain in the community with a reporting requirement or an electronic monitoring device. Since all situations are unique, an ICE officer will notify the alien of the next steps to take for removal.
Aliens who are able to provide for their own removal would have the flexibility to make their own travel arrangements within a 90-day time period. ICE will work with eligible aliens who are not able to provide for their travel; however, ICE will maintain control and schedule the travel arrangements in these specific cases."