The New York Civil Liberties Union and ACLU today welcomed a letter sent by the New York City Council to Congressional conferees, asking they keep anti-immigrant measures out of their final 9/11 reform legislation. Although the conferees’ attempt to reach a compromise before the election appears to have failed, they are slated to continue working on a measure for Congress to vote on during a lame duck session.

“We in New York City still feel the impact of the attacks of September 11th, and the City Council is taking the right step in saying that Congress must not pass anti-immigrant legislation in our name,” said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the NYCLU. “We can and must protect both our national security and our basic rights and liberties.”

In a letter sent to the conferees, New York City Council Members outlined their concerns, including the creation of a de facto national ID, denial of basic judicial review, increased burdens for asylum seekers, and the potential for individuals to be deported to countries where they will be tortured.

“We commend the New York City Council for understanding that being strong on national security does not mean being anti-immigrant,” said Udi Ofer, Project Director of the Bill of Rights Defense Campaign at the NYCLU. “The anti-immigrant measures proposed by the House leadership would harm the lives of tens of thousands of New Yorkers, and the City Council is now on record in opposition to those provisions.”

The action by the City Council was spearheaded by Council Member Kendall Stewart as chair of the Immigration Committee. Thirty-five Council Members signed the letter that was delivered to the 21 Congressional conference committee members. Council Member Stewart’s actions were prompted by testimony before the Immigration Committee by Mr. Ofer.

Groups from across the political spectrum are urging lawmakers to remove the anti-immigrant and law enforcement expansion provisions, including such varied groups as the ACLU, families of 9/11 victims, Gun Owners of America, the National Council of La Raza, and the conservative Cuban American National Foundation.

Members of the New York City Bill of Rights Defense Campaign have sent letters and placed phone calls to Congressional lawmakers asking them to oppose the anti-immigrant and Patriot Act-like provisions contained in the House intelligence reform bill. More than 1,600 faxes have been sent to New York lawmakers.