We recognize that immigration policy and subsequent enforcement of border laws are global issues and are a result of many factors including: rampant poverty, unequal and unfair distribution of wealth, racism, corporate globalization, civil strife and U.S. intervention in the internal conflicts of other nations.

We believe that unless the root causes of immigration are examined and resolved, human displacement and the accompanying migration problems within the Americas (e.g. death in border crossing) will persist.

The INS estimates the current number of undocumented immigrants in the United States at 6 million, but recent studies indicate that number to be between 2 and 5 million more. Immigrants are vital to our society, both economically and culturally. These undocumented immigrants, because of their legal status, are subject to abuses and exploitation by their employers, by the police, etc.

We recognize that among undocumented immigrants women are particularly vulnerable as they are often subject to domestic violence by their partners and exploited by their employers. Undocumented immigrant women endure extreme harsh conditions and risk their well being for fear of being deported.

We believe that current U.S. anti-immigration policies and laws violate many of the provisions of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) including the right to work and organize (Article 23), the right to a standard of living, to health care and well being (article 25), the right to social security (Article 22) and the right to an education (Article 26).

We recognize that in order to address the root causes of immigration, to reform the current immigration laws and to advocate for laws more favorable to immigrants, it is essential for the immigrant and activist communities to unite their efforts. We recognize that members of the immigrant and activist communities and of the other solidarity movements will benefit from education, cross-fertilization, and cooperation between their movements.

1) Derived positions in favor of just immigration laws:

We see the "right to mobility" as a fundamental human right, in contrast to the "rights" of corporations and investors to the free movement of capital under "free trade" economic policies.

We support the general unconditional amnesty to all undocumented immigrants, regardless of their national origin.

We support Rep. Luis Gutierrez’ United States Family Unity Law. The bill proposes a "Rolling Amnesty" that when enacted will apply to people proving residency in the United States for 5 years. (Example: If enacted in 2001, people will have to prove they have been in the United States for 5 years, since 1996).

We propose that the amnesty/legalization legislation should also include the following:

-A reduction to INS backlog in pending applications and a mandate that the INS reach a final resolution of applications for benefits filed within a maximum of 12 months.

-Guarantee equal rights to all workers, regardless of their immigration status, including the right to organize, to living wages, to work in a safe environment, and to be free from sexual harassment and discrimination.

-Guarantee the right to healthcare, social security and education.

We propose that the following structural adjustments be made to US immigration policy:

-De-militarize our borders and points of entry.

-Bar other law enforcement and government agencies from aiding INS enforcement of immigration law.

-Separate INS enforcement agencies (i.e. Border Patrol) from INS Services.

-Reduce the enforcement budgets, while augmenting the budget of the service departments responsible for processing citizenship and visa applications.

-Enhance enforcement of federal and state labor laws (e.g. hours, health, safety, right to organize).

-All refugees should be entitled political asylum. Distinctions favoring refugees from one country over the others should be abolished.

We oppose any form of racial profiling toward immigrants by law enforcement or any other authorities.

We support the current Violence Against Women Act legislation (VAWA), which allows undocumented women who are abused by their US citizens or lawful permanent resident husbands, to file for their legal status without need of the husband. While we applaud this initiative, we urge a more comprehensive VAWA legislation including greater outreach efforts to undocumented women about the benefits of this law. Among the services provided to all victims of domestic violence, special programs and services should be established to assist undocumented immigrant women in particular.

2) Derived positions to address the root causes of human displacement/migration:

We support measures to strengthen the education, action and collaboration between immigrant rights groups and solidarity groups around current Latin American issues.

We oppose the FTAA, NAFTA, and any other vehicle that serves to diminish the dignity of human being and to exploit our people, especially women and indigenous groups. Current human displacement in the world and the accompanying effects are a direct result of the internal turmoil created by these agreements/organizations in Latin America and other poor countries of the world.

We oppose the structural adjustment programs imposed by the International Financial Institutions, which undermine social services, decrease standards of living and force people to migrate. We urge debt relief for all impoverished countries.