Friends of Pakistan
on Immigration Laws
Los Angeles, CA: A Press Release issued
by the Friends of Pakistan states: The Friends of Pakistan
is taking a pragmatic view on a divisive issue, a large
majority of Pakistani Americans want to change the immigration
laws to allow illegal immigrants to gain legal status and
to create a new guest worker program to meet future labor
demands.
At the same time, Americans have mixed feelings about whether
the recent wave of immigration has been beneficial to the
country, and they are sharply divided over how open the
United States should be to future immigrants.
Point by point, large majorities expressed support for measures
in the legislation that has been under debate since Monday
in the Senate.
The bill, which is backed by President Bush and a bipartisan
group of senators, would allow illegal immigrants who were
in the United States before Jan. 1 of this year to obtain
legal status by paying fines and passing background checks.
Two-thirds of those polled said illegal immigrants who had
a good employment history and no criminal record should
gain legal status as the bill proposes, which is by paying
at least $5,000 in fines and fees and receiving a renewable
four-year visa.
We know there will be opposition, so we’re working
to build support for the bill now. Call or send an immediate
message by e-mail to your senators today stating that as
a Friends of Pakistan organization member, we urge you to
support comprehensive and humane immigration reform by voting
for the immigration reform legislation sponsored by Sens.
Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) that
was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and to oppose
enforcement-only bills like Sen. Frist’s S.2454.
It may be mentioned that in the absence of a vibrant organization
at the grassroots level, the average Pakistani-Americans
often found themselves helplessly perched. They could not
air their views on subjects that directly impacted their
lives or overcome vexing problems.
Friends of Pakistan seeks to timely fill up this disconcerting
void. It seeks to serve as the voice of the community. Besides,
Friends of Pakistan would act as a bridge between Pakistanis
and various groups, cement closer ethnic ties, strengthen
interfaith bonds, and make Pakistanis useful members of
the American society.
Friends of Pakistan is not affiliated with any government
or political party. It operates as a non-profit organization
and aims to provide a platform to Pakistani Americans at
the grassroots level to strengthen Pakistan-US ties and
serve as a bridge between Pakistani-Americans & community
at large.
* Promote goodwill, understanding and Friendship among Pakistani-Americans
and community at large;
* Organize national, cultural and social events to promote
art, music, literature and other cultural aspects of Pakistani
life;
* Educate the community on political, social and economic
issues and raise awareness of their rights and responsibilities;
• Organize trade shows, food festivals and traditional
shows and create a network to locate business opportunities
for community members.
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