We can have security and respect for the rule of law!

B Stands for Both

This past week, the House of Representatives passed a sweeping reconciliation bill, dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill." While the bill still needs to go through the Senate, its proposals surrounding immigration are concerning. First, the bill appropriates $150 billion dollars for immigration enforcement, which would drastically increase the administration’s ability to carry out mass deportations. Additionally, the bill would remove eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for up to 250,000 immigrants lawfully in the US. It would also impose a $1,000 fee for asylum applications, making seeking refuge all the more arduous. For a more detailed explanation of these and other immigration provisions in the reconciliation bill, check out the Forum’s explainer here.

This Spring, the National Immigration Forum launched a campaign titled, "Security and…" to shed light on how we don’t have to choose between security and other values and priorities Americans hold dear. We have been hosting a webinar series with experts across faith, national security, law enforcement, and business sectors to explore how America can continue to thrive by being secure and welcoming.

Last week’s webinar focused on Security and the Rule of Law. We were joined by experts in national security and law enforcement, including the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force’s (LEITF) Chief Ramon Batista and leaders from the Council on National Security and Immigration (CNSI) Margaret Stock and Stewart Verdery.

Throughout the webinar, these experts reiterated that immigration practices should follow the rule of law, protect due process, and follow humane processes. Forum President & CEO, Jennie Murray revealed new polling results that showed that Americans support the opportunity for people facing deportation to make their case and defend themselves by a 40-point margin. The right to due process is a fundamental American value and one that must be safeguarded to preserve the integrity of our legal system.

Quote from Chief Ramon Batista during the Security and the Rule of Law Webinar (Source: National Immigration Forum)

Chief Batista provided an important law enforcement perspective as he emphasized how "study after study has shown that immigrants don’t commit more crimes than US citizens." His remarks were closely connected to those of CNSI leader Margaret Stock, who stressed that immigration law in America needs a balance of enforcement and benefits. To foster safety in local communities, police need the cooperation of immigrants to ensure public safety for all. In turn, immigrants are entitled to certain benefits for cooperating with the police. Without balance, it will undercut both law enforcement’s ability to investigate crimes and trust in the community.

CNSI leader Stewart Verdery examined the evolving landscape at the U.S.-Mexico border over the past 18 months. He noted the significant decline in border crossings during 2024, a trend that has continued under the Trump administration. However, the administration’s focus on deportations and asylum restrictions has prompted numerous legal challenges, raising concerns about the legality of these measures. As courts assess these cases, it remains imperative to uphold both security and humane immigration practices in America.

American core values include both security and respect for constitution protections that apply to everyone. These principles are not mutually exclusive, meaning we truly can have both security and the rule of law. Please join us in advocating for a fair and just immigration system that strengthens our great nation.

Stay committed and hopeful,

Andrea

Andrea Corro
Field and Constituencies Coordinator
National Immigration Forum

P.S. We invite you to attend the third webinar in our Security and… series, "Security and a Strong Economy" on Thursday, June 12^th at 2:00 pm EST, which you can register for here. We will round out the series with a discussion from business leaders on how we can securely bolster our economy with an immigrant workforce. We hope you’ll join us!

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