SUPPORT H.R. 2119 TO REMEDY IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT ABUSE

     Civil and human rights organizations have documented a pattern
of widespread abuse by the Border Patrol and other federal
immigration law enforcement personnel. Reports of beatings and
verbal abuse are common with complaints of unjustified shootings,
torture and sexual abuse reported all too often. Many complaints
are from U.S citizens who are subjected to abuse because of their 
race, because they objected to the abuse or others, or simply
because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
However most victims of abuse are the most powerless among us - the
undocumented who often do not know how to complain or are fearful
of retaliation if they do. 

     Immigration officials have taken no effective steps to remedy
the abuse problem. Under the Immigration Enforcement Review
Commission Act (H.R. 2119) a new federal commission will be
established to independently investigate complaints filed against
federal officials who enforce immigration laws. If the Commission
finds that abuse has occurred, it will make recommendations
regarding disciplinary action. Independent review of complaints is
not the sole answer to the abuse problem, but it is an essential
step. Currently over 60% of American big cities have independent
review of complaints filed against their police as do many smaller
communities. Both Canada and Mexico have independent commissions
which investigate complaints against their national police.

     Write or call your Members of Congress. Urge your
Representative to become a co-sponsor of H.R. 2119. Ask your
Senators to act to end abuse and brutality by U.S. immigration
officials. Explain that you want our laws enforced in a lawful
manner and that you believe that independent review is essential to
ensure fair investigations of complaints against immigration
officials.

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