6 MARCH 2024

Ahead of SOTU, Immigration Hub Urges President Biden to Offer A Bold Closing Argument on Immigration

WASHINGTON – On March 7, President Biden will deliver the final State of the Union address of his first term. Immigration Hub Executive Director Kerri Talbot and Deputy Director Beatriz Lopez will provide live commentary during the State of the Union on X.

Lopez issued the following statement ahead of the address:

“This year, the American electorate is paying attention to the issue of immigration now more than ever. This is a critical opportunity for the president, on this national stage, to deliver a closing argument that boldly and proudly reminds the American public of how far we’ve come after Trump’s administration ripped children from their mothers’ arms and threatened Dreamers and hard-working immigrants with deportation. 

“President Biden and his administration have made important contributions and they should commit to do more to restore and rebuild America’s immigration system and galvanize voters. This story is important to tell, as is the president’s vision for bold solutions to continue restoring dignity and order in our immigration system. We all recognize – the job is not done. The answer doesn’t lie in Congress where hyperpartisanship continues to paralyze bipartisanship, but rather the president’s commitment to continue to seek resources for border security AND deliver legal pathways for Dreamers and long-settled immigrants in America. 

“This shouldn’t be a zero-sum game to the right of reason where the president attempts to outflank Trump and his party. Voters have, then and now, supported a courageous and sensible approach to our broken immigration system – one that invests in border security and does not leave behind the call for citizenship. 

“It’s time we got past the narrow view of immigration that solely focuses on the border. Long absent from the headlines, punditry and political pageantry is the invaluable contributions of immigrants to our economy and communities. America’s powerful economic rebound post-pandemic is thanks to immigration and President Biden should emphasize the economic contributions of immigrant communities. Immigrants and immigration have been essential to our American comeback, fueling small towns, cities, small and big businesses, and our economic position in the world.

“Tomorrow night, I hope that President Biden tells the full story - the American story of immigrant families who are not forgotten and his promise to do right by them and all of their fellow Americans.” 

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.