Section 245(i) Message Points

How to Use the Messages:  Use these messages when discussing restoring Section 245(i) with Congress and the news media. You should start with the overall theme, and hit as many of the messages and sub-messages as time permits.  Remember: these themes help you connect with people who do not know as much about the topic as you do.  The messages may seem simplistic to subject experts (like you), but are crafted so that you can make your point using emotion and fact, so that people can grasp both the problem and the solution.

Overall Themes:  Section 245(i) is pro-family, pro-business, fiscally prudent, and makes sense. Restore Section 245(i).

Section 245(i) would allow families to stay together.

• It would allow people who can receive green cards to apply from within the United States.
• Without Section 245(i), people must return to their home countries and will be forced to stay outside the U.S. for between three and ten years.

Section 245(i) would allow businesses to retain valued employees.

• Section 245(i) would allow employers to request permanent resident status for workers.
• Without Section 245(i), workers must leave their U.S. jobs before applying for permanent status.
• Businesses can be without valued employees for up to a decade.

Section 245(i) would be fiscally prudent.

• Applicants paid a $1,000 processing fee.
• It generated almost $200 million in annual revenues for the INS in FY97, at no cost to taxpayers.
• Without the revenue from Section 245(i), INS had huge adjudications backlogs due to lack of funding.

Section 245(i) would make sense.

• It would give no special rights or status to people.
• It would apply only to people who are eligible for green cards, and have passed screenings.
• It helps families stay together, helps businesses retain key workers, and provides funding to the INS without raising taxes.

Support common sense and fiscal prudence. Support H.R. 1841 and restore Section 245(i)!