Martin O'Malley: Welcoming New Americans to Rebuild the American Dream

[NCTraveler]

We are a nation of immigrants – whether our ancestors came from Ireland or from Mexico, or whether they immigrated here generations ago, or whether our parents brought us to the United States. But today, this fundamental characteristic of our country – the diversity that makes us great and enriches each new generation – is being eroded. Our outdated immigration laws no longer meet our economic needs, our national security imperatives, or our values as a people. They fail to reaffirm our founding ideal, e pluribus unum – that out of many, we are one.

As a nation, we must honor our proud legacy as a nation of immigrants and maintain one of America’s key strategic advantages: that people all over the world still dream of becoming Americans. To continue to attract the next generation of strivers, dreamers, and risk-takers, and to be true to the values we hold dear, it is imperative that we pursue a dynamic, modern approach to immigration policy. This will require a new push for comprehensive immigration reform – and new leadership that is willing to work tirelessly until it is finally accomplished, once and for all.

As president, Governor O’Malley will act immediately to.... See the answer here: https://martinomalley.com/the-latest/immigration/

In 2000, there were an estimated 8.4 million undocumented people residing in the United States. This population peaked in 2007 at 12 million but saw a gradual decline during the Great Recession. In 2012, an estimated 11.7 million undocumented immigrants resided in the United States. Since then, the numbers have stabilized. By the end of 2012, there were approximately 11.2 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, and that number remained constant into 2013 with 11.3 million undocumented immigrants.

The majority of undocumented immigrants are long-term residents, committed to living in the United States. In 2013, the median length of residence for unauthorized immigrants in the United States was 13 years, at least 5 years longer than it had been in 2003. Currently, 62 percent of undocumented immigrants have been living in the United States for 10 years or longer, and a full 88 percent have been living in the United States for five years or longer.

One in five undocumented immigrant adults has a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse. Of the 10 million adult undocumented immigrants living in the United States in 2012, approximately 767,000 were married to a U.S. citizen and 944,000 were married to a lawful permanent resident.

Among undocumented immigrants who had lived in the United States for 10 years or longer, 45 percent were homeowners in 2008. Among undocumented immigrants who had lived in the United States for less than 10 years, 27 percent were homeowners in 2008.

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2014/10/23/59040/the-facts-on-immigration-today-3/

[elleng]

1. He will Extend Administrative Relief to Millions of New American Families,

Expand Access to Waivers to the Three- or Ten-Year Bar,
Expand Access to Naturalization for New Americans,
Expand Access to Health Care for New Americans,
Use Detention Only as a Last Resort,
Restore Due Process Safeguards and Basic Fairness to Immigration Enforcement,
Disentangle Public Safety and Local Law Enforcement from Immigration Enforcement,
Protect the Border, While Respecting Individual Rights,
Forge Consensus to Achieve Comprehensive Immigration Reform,
Overhaul the Legal U.S. Immigration System

[NCTraveler]

2. Thanks for adding this elleng. nt.

[elleng]

3. You're welcome, NCT; thanks for the post.

Wanted to add some detail, for fact-starved DUers!