Fair, Just, Humane Immigration Reform

We believe that a change to our country’s immigration long overdue. It is time that we have a system that is fair, just and humane.

RITA has joined the New Ellis Island Working group in calling for a national shift in Immigration policy where everyone can thrive.

Our asks:

  • Champion the Just and Fair Integration of Immigrant Families and Workers in our Society. Introduce a comprehensive immigration package in Congress devoid of any cruel or draconian enforcement tradeoffs.
  • Repeal Trump’s Racist and Xenophobic Immigrant Policies. Commit to using Executive powers to repeal the destructive immigration policies targeting immigrant families and children in the border region implemented under the Trump administration, including the explicit and absolute prohibition of jailing children and their families.
  • Create a Legalization Program that Provides a Pathway to Citizenship. Pass comprehensive immigration reform which includes a pathway to citizenship that is broad, inclusive, and accessible to the 11+ million undocumented people who call our country home.
  • Demilitarize the U.S./Mexico Border. Demilitarize the southern border by repealing the nonsensical and false State of Emergency Declaration imposed by Trump, and immediately halting any further construction of the Border Wall of Shame. 
  • Implement Accountability and Oversight to Border Institutions and Strategies. Work with Congress to pass and implement the necessary accountability mechanisms to provide greater oversight of federal law enforcement agencies at the border and in the interior, including DHS agencies such as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and hold them accountable for their human rights and civil violations to the fullest extent of the law. 
  • Put an End to the Separation and Deportation of Families. Immediately enact an Arrest and Deportation Moratorium until our immigration system is fixed, and new, fair immigration laws are passed and implemented; reunite families who were separated due to cruel and unjust immigration policies; and begin the process of repatriating deported veterans. 
  • Decriminalize Immigrant Families and Refugees. Close all immigration detention facilities across the country, prioritizing those dedicated to jailing immigrant families, refugees, and asylum seekers. 
  • Rebuild, Improve, and Expand the Asylum and Refugee Systems. End the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP) and rebuild our nation’s resettlement program to ensure all applications are addressed in a timely manner, and those seeking safe haven in our country are treated with respect, dignity and fairness.