Immigration Update: Supreme Court decides Arizona v. United States

Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued a long-awaited decision regarding immigration policy when it ruled on Arizona’s controversial SB 1070.  The case before the justices asked that four provisions of the state law be found unconstitutional based on preemption – a doctrine that states that the U.S. Constitution specifically reserves some policy matters for the federal government only.

The decision in Arizona v. United States struck three provisions of the state law under the doctrine of preemption, ruling that immigration policy is a federal, not state, policy matter.  The Court did not strike the most controversial provision, which allows state and local law enforcement to demand any person they stop to produce proof of their legal status.  Though the Court found that this piece of the law falls outside of preemption, the Court left open the possibility that the provision may be applied in ways that are unconstitutional.  Arizona law enforcement is now able to enforce the provision, but language in the decision suggests that enforcement should be cautious, and leaves open the possibility that if they go too far another lawsuit challenging the provision could succeed.

Yesterday’s decision on immigration reform is a victory for those concerned about the dangers of a patchwork of state laws attempting to control immigration.  The decision on the “demand proof” section of the bill is disappointing to many of us concerned about our national security and civil rights. 

The Court’s decision reminds us of the desperate need for reform of our broken immigration system.  Immigration reform, including provisions from both the DREAM Act and the SMART Jobs Act, cosponsored by Senator Coons, are critical components for the United States to succeed in a global economy.  Congress needs to act now to pass measures like those already introduced in the DREAM Act, SMART Jobs, and Startup 2.0, and work together to craft a comprehensive immigration solution.

Wilmington job fair draws 2,600 job seekers

WILMINGTON, Del. – A job fair hosted by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and U.S. Representative John Carney on Monday drew more than 2,600 job seekers who came to meet with 100 employers at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Combined, the employers were hiring for more than 1,700 open positions.

“The job fairs we’ve hosted up and down the state are about changing lives by helping get our neighbors back to work,” Chris  said.  “Things are starting to get better in our state and our country, and I think the fact that 100 employers came out today to hire for more than 1,700 open positions is a sign of that. Our goal for this and for each of our job fairs has been to help Delawareans access these new opportunities and resources for getting a job, and I’m optimistic that today’s job fair did that. I can’t wait to hear from our neighbors who found a job today, and remain fiercely committed to helping the Delawareans who weren’t so fortunate.”

In 2012, the Congressional delegation hosted three jobs fairs across Delaware—one in each county—with a combined total of more than 4,000 job seekers attending.  Last year’s job fairs—also held in each county—attracted more than 4,900 people looking for work.

Click here to view photos from the job fair.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to create jobs.

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 25 to July 1

Monday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a roundtable discussion with leaders of Federal Home Loan Banks. The roundtable discussion will focus on the impact FHL Banks have on helping Delawareans properly finance affordable housing. Artisans Bank, Wilmington, DE 19808 – Closed to press.

Monday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will host a free job fair at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Senator Coons, Senator Tom Carper and Representative John Carney will host a job fair featuring nearly 100 employers looking to hire Delawareans who are eager to get back to work. This will be the sixth job fair organized by the Congressional delegation in the past 14 months, and the final of three planned this spring. Chase Center of the Riverfront, 815 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE – Open to press.

Monday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 4:00 p.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on voter fraud. The hearing is entitled: “Prohibiting the Use of Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Tactics in Federal Elections: S.1994.” The hearing is focused on legislation Senator Coons has cosponsored to prohibit the hindering, interfering with, or prevention of another person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person to vote or register to vote in a federal election. 226 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Tuesday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 11:00 a.m. Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Tuesday, June 26 at 2:15 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting. S-116, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 28 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will be the keynote speaker at the Wilson Center’s Program on America and the Global Economy. Senator Coons will discuss elements of his agenda in support of American innovation, including several provisions in the bipartisan Startup Act 2.0, which he introduced last month with Senators Moran, Warner, and Rubio. A panel discussion on the legislation will follow his remarks. Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 28 at 10:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. 226 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press.

Thursday, June 28 at 2:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Office of Special Counsel’s Public Servant of the Year Award Ceremony. This year’s recipients include three whistleblowers who raised concerns at Port Mortuary: Bill Zwicharowski, Jim Parsons, and Mel Spera. The ceremony will honor them for their whistleblowing and efforts that prompted significant and positive corrective actions and improvements. Reserve Officers’ Association, One Constitution Ave NE, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Thursday, June 28 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will chair a Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs Subcommittee hearing on trade with Africa. During the hearing, testimony will be received on issues pertaining to the vast economic opportunities for U.S. businesses and investors in Africa, as well as steps the U.S. government could take to increase bilateral trade. 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press.

Friday, June 29 at 6:00 a.m. — The Senator will appear on CNBC’s Squawk Box program.

Friday, June 29 at 7:30 a.m. — The Senator will appear on MSNBC’s Morning Joe program.

Friday, June 29 at 12:00 p.m. — The Senator will appear on MSNBC’s Now with Alex Wagner program.

Saturday, June 30 at 7:00 a.m. — The Senator will appear on the CBS This Morning program.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Video: Senator Coons urges colleagues to pass amendment on studies for poultry insurance programs

Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) took to the Senate floor on Tuesday afternoon calling on his colleagues to vote for a farm bill amendment he introduced with U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). The amendment commissions a pair of studies on the feasibility of insurance programs to protect America’s poultry growers from catastrophic loss, such as disease outbreaks, and from bankruptcies of poultry integrators. The amendment is now part of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240), which the Senate is expected to vote later this week.

Video: Senator Coons talks Africa at the Center for Strategic & International Studies

Senator Chris Coons was a featured speaker at the Center for Strategic & International Studies on June 19, 2012. Senator Coons’ speech, entitled, “The Nexus of Security, Development and Governance: Reflections from a Recent Trip to East Africa,” focused on his recent CODEL to East Africa.

Sen. Coons welcomes participants at UD poultry program

Senator Coons visited the University of Delaware on Monday to welcome participants at the Emergency Poultry Disease Response Certificate Program (EPDR). The program runs from June 18 to June 21 and features a consortium of local and international scientists and policy makers.

“This program involves cooperation among all levels of government, as well as commercial producers, backyard flock owners and top-flight research universities,” Chris said. “This is how we get things done in Delaware, and I’m proud we are working to share our knowledge and experience with poultry growers in other countries around the world.”

Chris is an outspoken supporter of Delaware’s poultry farmers. Last week, he joined with Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) to introduce an amendment to the farm bill currently being considered by the Senate that would commission studies on the practicality of insurance policies for farmers in case of a catastrophic event like a poultry company bankruptcy or poultry disease outbreak.

The EPDR Certificate Program is a four-day certificate course taught at the University of Delaware. Participants have the opportunity to learn about emergency procedures developed by the Delaware Department of Agriculture, University of Delaware faculty and agriculture industry professionals for outbreaks of poultry disease. The program also works to help foster closer ties between the United States, foreign officials and poultry industry professionals. This year’s attendees include a global roster of attendees representing countries such as Uganda, Bolivia, Israel and Japan.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on agriculture.

Click here to learn more about the University of Delaware’s EPDR program.

Senator Coons presents house keys to Mays family

On Friday, Senator Coons attended Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County’s Pavilion Home Dedication, where seven new homes for deserving families were dedicated at 5^th and DuPont Streets in Wilmington.

At the dedication, Chris presented the Mays family with keys to their new home.  Tiffany Mays is a single mother of four who has been raising her children in a cramped apartment badly in need of repairs. Today, her family moves into clean, safe, affordable housing.

The Mays’ new house, and the other six Pavilion Homes located in Wilmington’s Little Italy, were built through a partnership of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County and Cornerstone West, a division of West End Neighborhood House.   The new homes are equipped with off-street parking, central air and full-size washers and dryers.

“When the Mays family turned the key to their new home, it marked a new beginning,” Chris said.  “We are grateful to Habitat for Humanity for bringing people together in the spirit of fellowship, faith and community. This is a wonderful day for the Mays family and the other new homeowners.”

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County has been building affordable housing for low-income residents since 1986. They are one of the top three largest Habitat affiliates out of over 200 in the Northeast, with over 185 houses built in New Castle County. June is National Homeownership Month. 

The Senator’s week ahead schedule: June 18 to June 24

Monday, June 18 at 8:00 a.m. — The Senator will speak to participants in the University of Delaware’s Emergency Poultry Disease Response certificate program. The program teaches U.S. and international professionals about preparedness planning, biosecurity and assessment tools, and rapid response techniques and technology, the three critical aspects of successfully managing an outbreak of potentially catastrophic poultry disease. Charles C. Allen, Jr. Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Delaware, Newark, DE

Monday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. — The Senator will speak to the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber of Commerce about the state of affairs in Washington and legislation he has introduced to help businesses create jobs. King’s Creek Country Club, Rehoboth Beach, DE – Open to Press. Contact: Carol Everhart at 302-542-7547

Monday, June 18 at 1:00 p.m. — The Senator will tour Atlantis Industries, which manufacturers injected-molded plastics for military, automotive, medical and plumbing applications. 1 Park Street, Milton, DE – Closed to Press.

Tuesday, June 19 at 9:00 a.m. — The Senator will be the featured speaker at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Senator Coons’ speech, entitled, “The Nexus of Security, Development and Governance: Reflections from a Recent Trip to East Africa,” will focus on his recent CODEL to East Africa. 1800 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact: Ryan Sickles at 202-775-3140.

Tuesday, June 19 at 2:15 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting. Members will consider several nominations and legislation, including S.Res.402, the resolution introduced by Senator Coons condemning Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for committing crimes against human and mass atrocities. S-116, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. 

Tuesday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. — The Senator will attend the Jefferson Awards 40th Anniversary Celebration. Senator Coons will introduce award recipient David Petraeus, director of the Central Intelligence Agency and retired four-star Army general. DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, June 20 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the implementation of last year’s patent reform legislation. Senator Coons cosponsored and worked aggressively for the passage of America Invents Act, a comprehensive bill designed to update and streamline the patent system in the United States in order to stimulate investment, promote job creation, and increase competitiveness. David J. Kappos, Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, will testify. 226 Senate Dirksen Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to Press. Contact the Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Wednesday, June 20 at 3:00 p.m. — The Senator will meet with the University of Delaware Democracy Project. The goal of the project is to promote civic engagement and a better understanding of citizen responsibilities in a democratic society among young people through a series of education-based services and programs.   SVC-215, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. 

Wednesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. — The Senator will speak at an Inter-American Dialogue event about his CODEL to Cuba, Haiti and Colombia earlier this year. The Inter-American Dialogue is a center for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs. HVC-215, Capitol Visitors Center, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 21 at 10:00 a.m. — The Senator will attend a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting. The Committee will consider the Justice for All Reauthorization Act, a bill to protect crime victims’ rights, to eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders, to improve and expand the DNA testing capacity of federal, state, and local crime laboratories, to increase research and development of new DNA testing technologies, to develop new training programs. Senator Coons is a cosponsor of the legislation, and is chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. – Open to press. Contact the Judiciary Committee’s Jessica Brady at 202-224-7703.

Friday, June 22 at 9:30 a.m. — The Senator will preside over the Senate until 12:00 p.m. (if the Senate is in session).  Senate Chamber, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. – Open to press who wish to sit in the Senate Gallery.

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

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Senator Coons marks Flag Day

Each year, on June 14, we mark the anniversary of the day in 1777 when the United States adopted the American flag. In honor of this year’s Flag Day, Senator Coons made the following statement.

“As we recognize the stars and stripes of the United States of America, we pause to honor those who have paved our path toward ‘liberty and justice for all. Whenever I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I am filled with a sense of pride as I reflect on the American flag.  The flag represents our history and it is a symbol that unites Americans of all walks of life.”

Senator Coons urges quick passage of job-creating transportation bill

Today, Senator Coons joined more than half dozen of his Senate colleagues in calling for immediate passage of a transportation bill that could save or create nearly three million jobs.

Legislation supporting critical investments in America’s roads and bridges is set to expire at the end of this month. The Senate has already passed a long-term extension of the bill, which Chris strongly supported because it makes the kind of sensible, predictable investments that companies need to hire new workers. . The  Senate version was crafted and passed with strong bipartisan support, but a more partisan version passed the House. At today’s event, Senator Coons and his colleagues made clear that jobs depend on the Senate version being signed into law. 

“In times like these, our economy depends on efficient transit,” Chris said. “In order to hire, companies need certainty, reliability, predictability. The Senate-passed bill provides that certainty that allows companies to hire new crews.”

Senator Coons was joined at Wednesday’s event by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), the chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

To learn more about Chris’ work on transportation, click here.