18 OCT 2021

Hub Highlights: The Fight for Immigration Solutions in the Reconciliation Bill Continues

Washington, DC — Pressure continues to mount on Democrats, who are reportedly presenting a new immigration option to the Senate parliamentarian for consideration under the Build Back Better reconciliation bill. The proposal would provide legal status and work authorization for nearly 8 million undocumented immigrants, and would represent one of the largest legalization programs in the past three decades. Directly-impacted persons have spoken out, and immigration advocates continue to counter GOP and right-wing misinformation.

Highlights to Follow:

Undocumented immigrants share their stories urging Congress to deliver a solution this year via reconciliation.

  • Julio Calderon, an undocumented person from Honduras, now living in Miami, shared his life story in the Orlando Sentinel: Julio wrote, “Here I am with uncertainty about the future and still facing deportation. I have lived with this fear for 16 years already. This type of life is not normal, and it is exhausting.”  In a message to Democrats, Julio added: “​​I still look forward to Democrats delivering a pathway to citizenship through the reconciliation package, because they should. We have been waiting since the Obama administration; there is no excuse not to deliver. I can’t keep going with this uncertainty of a future; I can’t keep living life thinking I can be arrested and deported any day. My community has welcomed me; when are politicians going to extend that same sentiment with a vote of approval?”

  • Betania Shephard, an undocumented person living in Philadelphia told her story through the Philadelphia Inquirer: Betania wrote, “Although the Senate’s adviser ruled against one plan for citizenship, there are other options on the table and we need our Pennsylvania members of Congress to pursue them...Our representatives and senators — including Sen. Pat Toomey as part of his final term — should do the right thing supported by most Americans: Reform our immigration system to create a pathway for undocumented folks to earn citizenship. We’re already here contributing and want to do more — Congress just has to let us.”
     

The Hub counters David Shor’s argument on immigration with research showing immigration is a winning issue for Democrats in the next elections if they choose to embrace it. 

  • If Democrats want to win elections, they should embrace immigration — not run from it: On October 8th, The New York Times published a column by Ezra Klein that highlighted David Shor’s theory, analysis and suppositions for the Democratic Party to win in the next election cycles. Klein included Shor’s assertions on immigration, summed up in the following statement: “He and those who agree with him argue that Democrats need to try to avoid talking about race and immigration.” 

    • In response, Immigration Hub Executive Director Sergio Gonzales said, “We’ve been hearing this bad advice for years. And what has it yielded? Republicans continue to weaponize immigration, filling the vacuum on an issue that can effectively move key voting blocs. Running away from immigration isn’t the answer.”
       

The GOP continues to be called out for obstructing solutions on immigration and spreading harmful disinformation: 

  • York Dispatch: It’s Time for Scott Perry to Go: The York Dispatch Editorial Board this week called on Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10) to resignafter being singled out in a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee for further investigation into his actions to pressure the Department of Justice to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Not only has he been an obstructionist on immigration and promoted anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric, but Perry has also spread The Big Election Lie at the expense of our democracy. 

    • The York Dispatch wrote: “If Scott Perry truly believes the false claims he spouted about election fraud following last November's presidential election, he has fallen into a conspiracy theory rabbit hole and needs to resign from Congress. If Perry doesn't believe those claims he repeated for months, he's deliberately lying to his constituents to garner favor with a man who lost a free and fair election, and he needs to resign from Congress. Either way, it's time for him to go.”

  • Debunking Right-Wing Myths on Immigration: Immigration Hubwrapped up their series exposing some of the most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration perpetuated by Republican and right-wing actors by debunking two myths about the southern border.

    • MYTH 1: Trump did a better job securing the border and managing immigration, and Biden has made it worse. 

    • FACT: Trump and Republicans worsened an already broken immigration system, caused chaos at the border, and continue to weaponize the issue. In an attempt to deflect responsibility and shift blame, Republicans are rewriting the story to suit their needs. 

    • MYTH 2: Record numbers of immigrants are illegally invading our southern border. 

    • FACT: In reality, unlawful entry into the United States has actually declined since reaching its peak in 2000. Furthermore, the arrival of migrants at our southern border is impacted by political crises and catastrophic events, including political violence, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic that destabilized economies and countries.
       

DHS announced positive changes in immigration enforcement.

  • DHS Releases Memo on Worksite Enforcement: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a memorandum announcing new policy changes on immigration enforcement at worksites that aim to reduce the exploitation of undocumented workers by unscrupulous employers and address labor trafficking. 

    • Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, responded saying, “The new DHS memo is a major win for workers and families...Undocumented workers pay taxes and form the backbone of our economy. Rather than hunting them down for deportation, they deserve to be protected. The announced changes today in worksite enforcement do just that, and will have a tremendous impact in the lives of millions of immigrant families. It’s high time for change, and we applaud the Biden administration for taking decisive action to ensure the safety and rights of immigrant workers.” 

    • Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director at Immigration Hub, added, “Immigrants have been retaliated against, or scapegoated or threatened with deportation. It’s really a huge improvement to have the agency recognizing that and moving forward on trying to create some important protections.”

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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.