U.S. Congress to Vote on Patriot Act, Anti-Torture Legislation, & Immigration Policy

ACTION REQUESTED: CAIR-Chicago is urging all community members to voice their concerns on the following three pieces of legislation:

The House and Senate have resolved to finish all business on legislation by the end of this year and several critical issues of civil liberties and immigration are scheduled for review in the NEXT FEW DAYS. CAIR-Chicago is urging all community members to voice their concerns on such legislation.

1. U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

Sixteen provisions of the USA Patriot act are due to expire at the end of December and the vote to renew them can take place as early as this week. Sections 215 and 505 grant unchecked surveillance powers to the federal government and have been the subject of controversy among Democrats and Republicans.

• Section 215 enables law enforcement officials to acquire secret search warrants and prohibits any individual who provides such records from disclosing it to third parties, including the subject of the investigation.

• Section 505 allows FBI field inspectors to issue National Security Letters to obtain records and require no prior authorizations, and prohibit recipients from informing anyone of the request.

For up to date information on the Patriot Act, visit: http://cairpatriotact.blogspot.com/

ACTION REQUESTED:

Call your elected officials and tell them your stance on the issue. All you will be asked for is your zip code, to verify your residence in the district and your stance on the issue. It’s easy and doesn’t take much time! You can find your U.S. representative here by entering your zip code:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?action=myreps_form

2. Anti-Torture Legislation for U.S. Detainees

Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) measure to prohibit the use of “cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" against individuals held in U.S. custody has gained strong support in the Senate. The administration has threatened to use veto power for the very first time to keep torture tactics in place.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Call your elected officials and tell them your stance on the issue. All you will be asked for is your zip code, to verify your residence in the district and your stance on the issue. It’s easy and doesn’t take much time! You can find your U.S. representative here by entering your zip code:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?action=myreps_form

3. Anti-Immigration Legislation

James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), sponsor of the REAL ID Act, placing restrictions on driver’s licenses and identification documents, limitations on asylum laws and hindering immigration court cases, has now introduced H.R. 4437, “Border Protection and Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act” which places even more stringent regulations immigration policies. Provisions include:

• Limiting eligibility requirements for legal residents to obtain U.S. citizenship

• Encryption of all social security cards in addition to requiring information from Department of Homeland Security and Social Security to be stored in a unified database

• Detaining anyone arrested at borders or entrance points without bond until removal or entry

• Denial of nonimmigrant visas unless individuals waive the right to appeal if their request is denied or the right to contest “any action for the removal of the alien” taken by officials

ACTION REQUESTED:

Call your elected officials and tell them your stance on the issue. All you will be asked for is your zip code, to verify your residence in the district and your stance on the issue. It’s easy and doesn’t take much time! You can find your U.S. representative here by entering your zip code:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?action=myreps_form

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