16 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Applauds Introduction of the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act was introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Ted Lieu (CA-33). In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Congress took a long overdue step today to chart a path to citizenship for essential workers who have worked tirelessly over the last year to help their fellow Americans during the worst public health crisis in modern history. As the country seeks to move forward with innovative and crucial solutions to invigorate our economy and protect communities, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act will do just that -- allow nearly 5 million immigrant workers to gain citizenship and continue to energize the nation’s comeback.  

“We thank Senators Padilla and Warren and Representatives Castro and Lieu for their leadership and willingness to propose a historic solution that is critically needed to support America’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic. From domestic and farm workers, to meatpackers and those in healthcare, these essential workers have put their lives and their families’ lives on the line when the country needed them the most. It’s simply an understatement to say that their invaluable contributions to the country they’ve longed called home should be recognized with the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

“As the Biden-Harris administration prepares to unveil another round of economic recovery proposals, we continue to call for the inclusion of the Citizenship for Essential Works Act. Given the incredible sacrifice of undocumented immigrants and given the ongoing exclusion from pandemic relief efforts, our country owes a great debt to the millions of immigrants who have kept our essential industries going. Citizenship is not only an economic imperative for recovery, it is a moral one as well.”

Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub added:

“The American public has long favored a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Even long before the pandemic, immigrants were essential to just about every sector of our economy and they have continued to make critical contributions as frontline workers during these difficult times. Business leaders, faith communities and local elected officials across the political spectrum recognize that allowing all families to live freely and fully contribute to their communities is essential to ‘Build Back Better’ and get our country on the path to recovery. We will continue working with Congress and the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that America’s recovery efforts will include citizenship for essential workers.”

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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.