Jared Polis on Immigration

	Jared Polis on Immigration

Hope for legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers

I hope that Congress finally provides legal pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and those who seek to come out of the shadows. Colorado will not support efforts to deport American citizens, target those on pending legal status, or break up families, creating orphans of American children whose parents are alive and came to this country to build a better life for their families. We will stay true to the core values upon which this country was built: opening the door of freedom and opportunity for all. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 9, 2025

Prohibit local government from detaining illegal immigrants

HB23-1100: Restrict Government Involvement In Immigration Detention.

ACLU summary December 6, 2023: Beginning on January 1, 2024, a governmental entity is prohibited from entering into or renewing an agreement for payment to house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration purposes (immigration detention agreement).

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 41-22-2 on Feb/27/23; passed Senate 19-13-3 on Apr/20/23; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/6/23.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado voting record HB23-1100 , Jun 6, 2023

Appointed first DREAMer to serve on state board

In the face of unprecedented hostility from this White House toward our immigrant communities, we say loudly and proudly that we stand with DREAMers and refugees. I was proud to appoint Marissa Molina, the first DREAMer in Colorado history to serve on a state board or commission, to the board of Metro State University. We still need the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform. We don't build walls of exclusion in Colorado--we build ladders of opportunity. Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address , Jan 9, 2020

Restore DACA: Don't cast 1M aspiring Americans into shadows

Q: Support DACA, allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions? Support path to citizenship for America's 11 million illegal immigrants?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. "Outraged" .by Trump's "callous & short-sighted decision" to end DACA & "cast nearly 1 million aspiring Americans back into the shadows." Supports earned path to citizenship for other illegal immigrants, combined with increased border protections.

Walker Stapleton (R): Has said supports Trump proposals, which gave DACA recipients legal status but not path to citizenship in return for building the wall and tightening legal immigration. Has also supported deporting anyone in the country illegally.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Respect the dignity and dreams of immigrants

The current immigration system must be replaced by comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders and enforces the rule of law, respects the dignity and dreams of immigrants, reflects our values, and recognizes the needs of our communities and businesses. I support the bipartisan compromise that:

Provides a transitional pathway to citizenship for qualifying immigrants
Boosts the number of border agents
Tightens work-site enforcement
Establishes an I.D. verification system.

Source: 2008 House campaign website, polisforcongress.com, "Issues" , Nov 4, 2008

Allow more visas for STEM college graduates.

Polis co-sponsored Attracting the Best and Brightest Act

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make up to 50,000 visas available to qualified immigrants who:
1. possess a graduate degree at the level of master`s or higher in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM degree) from a qualifying U.S. research institution of higher education;
2. have an employment offer from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree;
3. are the subject of an approved labor certification; and
4. will receive a wage for such employment that is at least the actual wage paid by the employer to all other individuals with similar experience and qualifications.
Makes unused STEM visas available for other employment-based visa categories.
Makes available on the DHS website information regarding foreign STEM employers, the number of aliens granted STEM status, and their occupations.

Source: HR6412/S3553 12-HR6412 on Sep 14, 2012

Voted to legalize DREAMer immigrants via military service.

Polis voted NAY Gosar Anti-DACA Amendment to H.R. 5293

Congressional Summary: The House voted on an amendment by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) to H.R. 5293, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017. The amendment would prohibit funds from being used to extend the expiration of, or reissue a new expiration date to, the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program.

Recommendation by Heritage Foundation to vote YES:(6/16/2016): The MAVNI program is a pilot program authorizing `military services to recruit certain legal immigrants whose skills are considered to be vital to the national interest.` However, a DoD memo has made it clear that DACA/DAPA recipients are eligible under this program, essentially opening up a pathway to amnesty for illegal aliens who enlist. By ensuring that this guidance ends, DOD will no longer be able to enlist illegal immigrants through MAVNI.

Recommendation by the ACLU to vote NO: (6/28/2011): The DREAM Act promotes fundamental fairness for young people by allowing access to affordable post-secondary education and military service opportunities, regardless of immigration status, and would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, have lived here for at least five years and have graduated from high school. The DREAM Act could result in billions of dollars in additional tax revenue from tapping the potential of DREAM-eligible students and future service personnel. Since September 11, 2001, more than 69,000 immigrants have earned citizenship while serving, and more than 125 who entered military service after that date have made the ultimate sacrifice in war by giving their lives for this nation.

Legislative outcome: Failed House 210 to 211 (no Senate vote)

Source: Congressional vote 16-H5293 on Jun 16, 2016

Provide lawyers and evidence for children being deported.

Polis co-sponsored H.R.4646/S.2540

This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to appoint or provide counsel at government expense to aliens in removal proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide an alien in removal proceedings with all relevant documents in its possession, unless the alien has knowingly waived the right to such documents.

DOJ may appoint or provide counsel to aliens in any INA proceeding.

DHS shall ensure that aliens have access to counsel inside all immigration detention and border facilities.

DOJ shall appoint counsel, at government expense if necessary, for an unaccompanied alien child or a particularly vulnerable individual.

DHS shall establish a pilot program to increase the court appearance rates of unaccompanied alien children and particularly vulnerable individuals by contracting with nongovernmental, community-based organizations to provide such aliens with case management services. Source: Fair Day in Court for Kids Act 16-HR4646 on Feb 26, 2016

Let illegal alien children attend school.

Polis signed American Dream Act

Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the denial of an unlawful alien`s eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a US national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence.
Cancels the removal of conditional permanent resident status of an alien who:
1. entered the US before his or her 16th birthday and has been present in the US for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act;
2. is a person of good moral character;
3. is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and
4. at the time of application, has been admitted to an institution of higher education or has earned a high school or equivalent diploma.
Authorizes an alien who has satisfied the appropriate requirements prior to enactment of this Act to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent resident status.

Source: H.R.1751 2009-H1751 on Mar 26, 2009

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