PRESS RELEASES


19 MAR 2024

Immigration Hub Responds to SCOTUS Decision Allowing the Implementation of Texas SB 4 Anti-Immigrant Law

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s request to pause the implementation of SB 4 while the law is challenged in lower courts. The extreme and anti-immigrant law would authorize state officials to take over the responsibilities of federal immigration authorities and permit them to detain, arrest and deport any individual suspected of crossing the border without authorization.

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14 MAR 2024

NEW MEMO: Voters’ Strong Support for Legal Pathways for Dreamers and Immigrant Families Presents President Biden An Opportunity

WASHINGTONToday, the Immigration Hub released a new memo, featuring the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group, that demonstrates overwhelming support for creating legal pathways for Dreamers and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and border security measures that would increase capacity and resources at the border. The memo also outlines critical administrative actions that the Biden administration can take to provide long-settled immigrants in the U.S. access to legal pathways. By offering up immigration solutions, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have an opportunity to appeal to critical voting groups. 

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6 MAR 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.

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5 MAR 2024

On Super Tuesday, A Look Back at Trump’s Cruel Record on Immigration

WASHINGTON - Today, voters across fifteen states will participate in the Super Tuesday primaries. Former President Donald Trump is expected to carry the races, effectively formalizing him as the GOP’s presidential nominee and taking him one step closer to actualizing his cruel, anti-immigrant agenda.

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28 FEB 2024

President Biden Has Delivered Robust Solutions to Restore America’s Immigration System

WASHINGTON – As President Biden and former President Trump plan trips to the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday, a stark split screen emerges, highlighting immigration as a central issue in the 2024 election. For more than two decades, Congress has failed to update America’s immigration laws despite growing economic demands, crucial labor shortages, expanding backlogs, and heightening challenges of global migration. The cracks of the nation’s immigration system were further exacerbated during former President Donald J. Trump’s term. President Biden and his administration inherited a nearly collapsed and cruel system. In his first three years, the president rolled back harmful policies that separated families - taking action to reunite families, prevent future family separation, and address the root causes of migration. In total, the Biden administration rescinded over 330 Trump-era policies and advanced important measures to restore America’s asylum system, invest in border infrastructure and smart technology, increase screening and apprehensions of human and drug-traffickers, ensure protections for hard-working immigrants, and expand lawful pathways to those seeking freedom, safety and opportunity.

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21 FEB 2024

Immigration Hub Responds to the Biden Administration’s Planned Executive Order on Immigration

WASHINGTON – According to a recent report, President Biden is considering executive action aimed to curb migration at the southern border. The order could heighten the standard for migrants applying for asylum and prioritize the swift deportation of those who do not qualify.

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13 FEBRUARY 2024

New York Voters Reject Mazi Pilip’s Trumpian Immigration Agenda 

WASHINGTON - Voters in the NY-03 special election delivered a rousing rejection of GOP candidate Mazi Pilip’s immigration extremism, handing a victory to Democrat Tom Suozzi. Pilip’s loss is the latest example of Donald Trump’s political strategy failing to resonate with voters, who overwhelmingly support a balanced approach to immigration.

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13 FEB 2024

35 Prominent Latino, Civil Rights, Faith And Pro-Immigrant Groups Outline 2024 Immigration Priorities for President Biden in Final Year of First Term

WASHINGTON – Today, 35 prominent Latino, civil rights, faith, and pro-immigrant groups, including UnidosUS, Voto Latino, United We Dream, Mi Familia Vota and Immigration Hub, released a blueprint outlining five critical priorities necessary for the Biden-Harris administration to advance effective and balanced immigration solutions in the final year of its term. As GOP presidential front runner Donald Trump emerges from his latest caucus victory with a cruel anti-immigrant agenda, it is imperative that President Biden offer an alternative vision to 2024 voters eager for solutions that advance humane border security AND legal pathways for long-settled immigrants in the U.S.

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7 FEB 2024

Failed Supplemental Vote Reveals the GOP’s Misplaced Loyalties on Immigration and Biden’s Opportunity to Offer a New Path

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate voted on a bipartisan supplemental funding package that pairs foreign aid with sweeping new border policies. The vote failed as expected, with GOP lawmakers in both chambers aligning themselves with former President Donald Trump, who strongly opposed the bill.

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6 FEB 2024

Baseless Effort to Impeach DHS Secretary Mayorkas Proves Extremist GOP Lawmakers Only Want Theatrics, Not Solutions, On Immigration

WASHINGTON – Today, lawmakers in the House will take up a vote to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Policy and constitutional experts say the charges are based on policy differences and cannot serve as a basis for impeachment. The vote comes as the Senate will decide tomorrow whether to advance a supplemental funding package that pairs foreign aid with sweeping new immigration policies, despite the fact that House GOP leadership have labeled the bill “dead on arrival.

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4 FEB 2024

Immigration Hub Responds to Senate Deal on Immigration and Border Policy

WASHINGTON – Today, a bipartisan group of Senate negotiators released the details of a supplemental funding deal that pairs foreign aid with new sweeping border policies. The agreement curtails the use of release for many migrants at land ports, and includes a new expulsion authority that, when triggered at different thresholds, either allows or mandates the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to expel asylum seekers. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to bring the deal for a vote in the Senate this week.

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25 JAN 2024

Immigration Hub: GOP Members of Congress Don’t Have the Courage, Political Will or Good Faith to Address Border Security

WASHINGTON - After months of negotiations, recent reporting indicates that GOP lawmakers are rescinding their support for a supplemental funding deal to address border security and fund foreign aid. In a closed door meeting yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) relayed to Republicans that, as Donald Trump has essentially secured the GOP presidential nomination, a deal on immigration policy would “undermine” his efforts to campaign on the issue this election cycle. The GOP presidential frontrunner reportedly reached out to GOP senators this week, urging them against a deal in order to deny President Biden a “victory.”

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10 JAN 2024

Immigration Hub Responds to “Baseless” GOP Effort to Impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

WASHINGTON –Today, the House Homeland Security Committee will hold an impeachment hearing against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. While Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) has accused Mayorkas of failing to enforce the nation’s existing immigration laws, policy and constitutional experts say the charges are based on policy differences and cannot serve as a basis for impeachment.

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5 JAN 2024

ICYMI: Mayors, Former ICE Chief of Staff, and Trump Voters Call Out GOP’s “Nightmare” Immigration Agenda And Emphasize Need for Sensible Border Security and Welcoming Immigrants to U.S. Cities in Need

WASHINGTON – As Republicans continue their attempt to codify harmful, Trump-era immigration policies through supplemental negotiations, current and former government officials are making their message clear: immigrants make America stronger. Even voters in Iowa, who supported Donald Trump in prior elections, call his anti-immigrant rhetoric “offensive” and urge lawmakers to expand legal pathways for immigrants. Yet GOP lawmakers refuse to consider a $14 billion request from President Biden for border security, asylum processing, regional initiatives, and support for receiving communities throughout the U.S. The swell of support for humane and orderly immigration policy continues steadily rising as it becomes increasingly clear that, as Democratic strategist Maria Cardona puts it, Republicans are not willing to “cut their hypocrisy.”

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5 JAN 2024

What Democrats Should Offer In the Face of the GOP’s Extreme Immigration Policies

WASHINGTON – Republicans in Congress continue to obstruct foreign aid to Ukraine in order to secure hardline, Trump-era immigration policies. GOP lawmakers continue to demand Trump-style policies such as fast track deportations and new powers to block all asylum seekers. As immigration and progressive groups continue urging Democratic lawmakers to reject the GOP’s demands, it is also incumbent on Democrats to champion effective immigration solutions that will strengthen and invest in our immigration system and local communities.

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4 JAN 2024

New Year, Same Bad Policies: Lawmakers Continue to Demand Trump Policies as Ransom for Ukraine Funding

WASHINGTON – As discussions over immigration policy continue in Congress, leaving the fate of foreign aid hanging in the balance, GOP lawmakers are refusing to budge on hardline demands. GOP lawmakers in Congress continue to hold aid for Ukraine hostage in exchange for H.R. 2, the extreme House Republican border legislation. One harsh policy proposal under discussion is the nationwide expansion of expedited removal, which would authorize deportations while denying immigrants due process protections. In a letter sent to Democratic members of Congress last month, a coalition of immigration and progressive advocates including FWD.us, UnidosUS, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Immigration Hub outlined the expansive impacts of the policy on mixed-status families across the U.S.

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14 DEC 2023

What Blueprint Polling Gets Wrong on Immigration Proposal Currently in Discussion

WASHINGTON – The proposal currently under consideration in the Senate includes a Trump-style, enforcement-only approach to immigration. The policies in discussion include mass deportations without hearings, mass detention, and expulsions with no due process. The latest polling provided by Blueprint fails to survey voters on the specific policies currently being considered by negotiators. The polling fails to communicate that families will be separated, asylum seekers denied protection, and detention will increase exponentially under the proposal. As first reported in Playbook, the Immigration Hub outlined to the White House that making such extreme concessions on immigration policy in exchange for foreign aid will have “immense” electoral consequences.

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13 DEC 2023

ICYMI: Immigration Hub Memo to White House Warns Against Concessions to GOP Immigration Demands

WASHINGTON – As first reported in Playbook, the Immigration Hub sent a memo to the White House yesterday warning the Biden-Harris administration against making extreme concessions on immigration policy in exchange for foreign aid, outlining the “immense” electoral consequences of accepting radical GOP demands ahead of 2024.

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8 DEC 2023

Immigration Hub Expresses Outrage At “Trumpian” Immigration Policies Under Consideration in Budget Talks

WASHINGTON – The White House, as reported today by Reuters, is signaling their willingness to make “significant concessions” on U.S. immigration policy in order to secure foreign aid for Ukraine in a supplemental funding package. Among the concessions would be a heightened standard for asylum screenings, a transit ban denying asylum to migrants who pass through another country en route to the U.S., and the expansion of a cruel fast track deportation process known as "expedited removal." The policies, if enacted, would reinstate Trump-era policies and put millions of immigrants settled throughout the U.S. at risk of deportation.

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6 DEC 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to Senate Vote On National Security Supplemental Funding Package

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate will vote to advance a bipartisan supplemental funding package for formal consideration. The $110.5 billion package includes foreign aid for Israel and Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and critical investments in the southern border aimed at resourcing asylum processing capacity and curbing fentanyl trafficking.

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4 DEC 2023

ICYMI: Immigration Hub’s Beatriz Lopez Publishes Op-Ed on “The Republican Wrecking Ball Aimed at America’s Asylum System”

WASHINGTON — Today, Immigration Hub Deputy Director Beatriz Lopez published an opinion piece in The Messenger detailing the egregious, Trump-like immigration policies being demanded by GOP Senators in exchange for Ukraine funding. The proposals, if enacted, would essentially eliminate access to asylum and parole, violate international refugee laws and leave vulnerable children and families in harm’s way.

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1 DEC 2023

Over 185 Immigrant Advocacy and Progressive Groups Urge Congress to Safeguard Asylum in Negotiations for Ukraine Aid

WASHINGTON Today, as first reported in Politico’s Playbook, 188 immigrant rights and progressive organizations released a letter urging Congress to reject any supplemental funding proposal that would enact harmful, permanent changes to the immigration system–including Trump-inspired policies that eliminate access to asylum or parole.

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28 NOV 2023

U.S. Senators Must Stand Against Republicans’ “Trumpian” Push to End Asylum

WASHINGTON – As a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators continue negotiations on President Biden’s supplemental funding request this week, immigration groups and progressive organizations are continuing to urge lawmakers to safeguard critical asylum protections. Senate Republicans are holding Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan funding hostage by demanding extreme lasting changes on immigration policy on the supplemental funding bill, including poison pills that would gut the asylum system and create chaos at the border.

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13 NOV 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to Extremist GOP Effort to Impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

WASHINGTON Last week, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. A vote on whether to advance the measure is expected today in the House.

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13 NOV 2023

Immigration Hub: Trump’s Plans to Hunt Down Immigrants in America is Vile and Unacceptable

WASHINGTON – On Saturday, The New York Times exposed former President Donald Trump’s “extreme expansion” of his immigration agenda should he be re-elected in 2024. His plans include a targeted campaign to “round up” undocumented immigrants in America, detain them in “sprawling” and “huge” camps, and carry out a mass deportation operation regardless of an individual’s time settled in the U.S. Additionally, Trump has promised he would once again attempt to terminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole, deny student visas to foreign students involved in pro-Palestine protests, and end birthright citizenship.

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9 NOV 2023

Immigration Hub: Representation Matters to Ensure Effective Bipartisan Legislation on Immigration

WASHINGTON – Recent reporting indicates that a bipartisan group of Senators is working on a proposal to limit asylum at the Southern border. As aid for Ukraine hangs in the balance, Republicans have made clear that their support is contingent on changes to U.S. immigration policy. At this time, there are no Hispanic, Black, or AAPI U.S. Senators with notable immigrant constituencies involved in the discussions.

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6 NOV 2023

Immigration Hub: Senate GOP Immigration Proposal is Cruel, Impractical and Dead on Arrival

WASHINGTON - Today, a working group of Republican lawmakers led by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released their proposal to address migration at the southern border. The Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Kerri Talbot, issued a statement in response.

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25 OCT 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to the Election of Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House

WASHINGTON — Today, Republicans in the House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson (R-LA) to be the next Speaker of the House. The following is a reaction statement from the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub.

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20 OCT 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to White House Supplemental Funding Request for Immigration Priorities

WASHINGTON – Today, the White House released the details of the $106 billion supplemental funding request for foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine. The package includes a request for $14 billion to direct additional resources to border security, asylum processing, regional initiatives, and support for receiving communities throughout the U.S.

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19 OCT 2023

Radical GOP Rhetoric on Immigration Stokes Hatred, Promotes Islamophobia, and Fuels Violence

WASHINGTON – Extremist GOP rhetoric is once again on the rise as the party recycles a time-old tactic: whipping up fears over national security by vilifying immigrants as terrorists. As war between Israel and Hamas escalates, Republican politicians and presidential candidates have ratcheted up rhetoric that invokes Islamophobic stereotypes. The fear mongering reaches millions of people through right-wing media outlets and may fuel violence against innocent people. A 6-year-old Palestinian child in Illinois was recently murdered by an individual who was radicalized by right-wing media.

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12 OCT 2023

Bipartisan Letter from Florida Members Of Congress Calls on President Biden to Expand Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, as reported by the Miami Herald, Florida U.S. Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Maria Elvira Salazar and Maxwell Frost led 41 members of Congress in a bipartisan letter urging the Biden administration to expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua – by using its statutory authority to “redesignate” TPS. The signees write that there is an urgent mandate for President Biden to use his administrative authority and provide swift and popular relief for Nicaraguans seeking safety and security in the U.S. The letter is a welcome departure from the GOP chaos in Congress, and efforts by MAGA extremists to double down on their commitment to advance “darkly fanciful” immigration policies.

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6 OCT 2023

Immigration Hub Applauds the Biden Administration’s Decision to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Cameroon

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden administration announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon for 18 months, through June 7, 2025, due to the “ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary” in-country conditions. This program will allow nearly 10,000 Cameroon nationals residing in the United States as of October 5, 2023 to continue to stay and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

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3 OCT 2023

Maria Cardona: “There is overwhelming evidence showing that immigration as a general election electoral wedge issue has lost its edge”

WASHINGTON – Last week at the second GOP debate in Simi Valley, California, Republican presidential candidates staked out extreme positions on immigration and border security – including military action in Mexico, an end to birthright citizenship, and mass deportations of Dreamers and other long-settled immigrants. In a recent op-ed for the Hill, Democratic Strategist Maria Cardona argues that the lurch to the far right by Republicans may play to the MAGA base but not to critical voters. In fact, since 2016 the GOP’s emphasis on immigration and border security has repeatedly failed to deliver in contested elections.

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27 SEPT 2023

Correcting the Record: Busting the Immigration Myths Trumpeted By Republican Candidates on the 2024 Campaign Trial 

WASHINGTON — As they have done time and time again, Republican candidates will use the spotlight tonight to continue pandering to the MAGA base by spreading intentional misinformation on immigration and relying on nativist fear-mongering. Below are examples of the myths we can anticipate tonight on the debate stage.

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27 SEPT 2023

Reinstating Family Separation, Deporting Dreamers and Ending Birthright Citizenship: GOP Presidential Candidates Embrace Radically Extreme Immigration Agenda Ahead of 2024

WASHINGTON Tonight, GOP candidates will take the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for the second presidential primary debate of the 2024 election. The debate is likely to shine light on the candidates’ increasingly extreme immigration agenda and, in turn, demonstrate just how much further the Republican party has circled into nativism since the days of Ronald Reagan. 

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20 SEPT 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to Reports of Biden Administration’s Decision to Expand TPS for Venezuela

WASHINGTON Today, CBS News reported that the Biden administration intends to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals in the United States. This expansion of the existing 1990 designation–which has since been extended through 2021–is estimated to provide protections from deportation and work authorization to over 400,000 additional Venezuelans in the U.S.

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19 SEPT 2023

House GOP’s “Border Security” Play: Bad Policy and Bad Politics

WASHINGTON —  In response to the news that the House Republicans are adding their partisan border security bill to its budget proposal, Kerri Talbot, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued a statement.

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15 SEPT 2023

NEW BATTLEGROUND SURVEY: Democrats Hold Pivotal Opportunity to Galvanize Latino Voters Ahead of 2024 As GOP Immigration Agenda Alienates Voters

WASHINGTON – Today, the Immigration Hub, Somos Votantes and UnidosUS Action Fund released the results of a new poll conducted by BSP Research that surveyed Latino voters in key battleground states (AZ, CO, FL, GA, NV, PA) and congressional districts in California, New York and Texas.

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14 SEPT 2023

Immigration Hub Decries Judge Hanen’s DACA Ruling, Calls on Congress to Step Up

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Judge Andrew Hanen of United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that DACA – the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that currently benefits nearly 600,000 immigrants known as Dreamers – is unlawful. This decision upends the lives of over half a million Dreamers who already call the U.S. home as the case moves through the appeals courts and then to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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12 SEPT 2023

Over 100 Congress Members Join Wave of Calls Pushing the Biden Administration to Issue Work Permits to Immigrants Stuck in Limbo

WASHINGTON — Today, as first reported by Politico, 103 Members of Congress, led by Reps. Nadler and Jayapal, respective Ranking Members of the House Judiciary Committee and Immigration Subcommittee, released a letter urging the Biden administration to protect asylum seekers and long-settled undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The letter is the latest addition to ongoing efforts from Congressional Black Caucus leaders, Latino Senators, governors from both sides of the aisle, civil rights groups, battleground mayors and business leaders calling for the President to grant work authorization to immigrant workers amid a “worker-starved economy.”

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30 AUG 2023

Hub Highlights: Local Leaders Across 24 States Ask Pres. Biden to Issue Work Permits to Immigrants Ready to Rescue “Worker-Starved” Economy

WASHINGTON – In the face of pressing nationwide labor shortages, elected officials and local leaders from over 24 states across the country are imploring the Biden administration to urgently provide more opportunities for immigrant families in the U.S. to access work permits and legal protections through administrative actions such as expansion of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and other changes that would facilitate access to work permits. As the country faces serious labor shortages, a growing immigrant workforce is already coming to the rescue of a “worker-starved” economy.

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29 AUG 2023

Immigration Hub Announces Kerri Talbot as New Executive Director and the Hub’s Leadership Team

WASHINGTON  – As first reported by The Hill, the Immigration Hub, a leading organization in the fight for fair and just immigration policies, announced today that Kerri Talbot will become the new Executive Director of the organization. Talbot helped to establish the Immigration Hub in early 2017 and replaces Sergio Gonzales, who has been tapped by Vice President Kamala Harris as her new Senior Advisor for the Biden-Harris re-election campaign.

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24 AUG 2023

Pennsylvania Mayors Call on Biden Administration to Fix Broken Immigration System, Provide Path Forward for Long-Settled Immigrants Amid Escalating GOP Extremism

PHILADELPHIA – Today, as reported by City and State, immigrant advocacy organization CASA led six Pennsylvania mayors from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, York, Lancaster and Erie to send a letter to the Biden administration urging the President to use his executive authority to break through congressional inaction and finally deliver solutions for immigrant families settled in the state and across the country. As extreme GOP leaders like Governors Ron DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas escalate their targeted attacks on immigrant communities, the signatories underscore the political and economic urgency of fixing our broken immigration system to ensure long-standing immigrants can continue to work and live in the U.S.

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23 AUG 2023

Immigration Hub’s Executive Director Sergio Gonzales Joins the Biden-Harris Campaign as Senior Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris campaign announced that Sergio Gonzales, the Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, will join their team as senior advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris. Gonzales, who previously served as Senior Policy Advisor to then Senator Harris (D-CA) in the Senate, has been tapped once again by the Vice President to help lead her campaign team. Sergio Gonzales is stepping down from his role at the Immigration Hub and a new leadership team at the organization will be announced in the coming days.

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15 AUG 2023

11th Anniversary Of DACA Implementation Passes Without Permanent Solutions For Dreamers

WASHINGTON – Today marks eleven years since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) first began accepting applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was first announced in June 2012. The widely popular program continues to face uncertainty as the country awaits yet another court decision on its legality. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen previously declared the program illegal in 2021 and it is expected that he will rule against the program again this year. 

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8 AUG 2023

Florida Elected Leaders Urge President Biden to Urgently Deliver Legal Protections for America’s Immigrant Families and Workers Threatened by Extreme GOP Policies

WASHINGTON — Today, as reported by the Miami Herald, over 30 elected officials from Florida—including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book, Florida Senate Leader Pro Tempore Jason Pizzo, and Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell– sent a letter to the Biden administration calling for immediate administrative actions that would protect undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders already in the U.S.

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3 AUG 2023

Family Separation, Casualties and Cruelty Become Hallmarks of Abbott's Latest Political Stunts

WASHINGTON – Over the past few weeks, Governor Greg Abbott has exponentially increased his cruelty toward immigrants at the Texas border. Texas troopers under his command have been ordered to push young children back into the Rio Grande to drown and to deny migrants water in sweltering heat. His barbaric Operation Lone Star has inflicted severe physical and mental trauma on innocent families, and this week, it was reported that two human bodies were found among the barrier of buoys installed in the Rio Grande at his command–one of whom was a young boy from Honduras.

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3 AUG 2023

Immigration Hub on Fourth Anniversary of El Paso Shooting

WASHINGTON – Four years ago today, a right-wing extremist in El Paso, Texas claimed the lives of 23 people and injured 22 others in what has been described as the “deadliest anti-Latino attack in modern American history.”

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28 JUL 2023

ICYMI: Vice President Kamala Harris Centers Key Latino Issues and Warns Against Extremism

WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the UnidosUS 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and used the opportunity to speak up for an America that extends and expands equality for all. She contrasted this vision with the extremism of so-called leaders in the Republican Party who are laser-focused on attacking the rights – from reproductive freedom to the right to vote — of hard working Americans, including Latinos.

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19 JUL 2023

ICYMI: Local Leaders Underscore Rising Condemnations of Governor DeSantis’ Regressive Anti-Immigrant Agenda Amid Campaign Woes and Legal Challenges

WASHINGTON – As Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign flounders and Senate Bill (SB) 1718 faces a new legal challenge, criticism from local leaders to conservative news outlets continue to highlight the growing unpopularity of the Governor’s extreme agenda–not only with his constituents in Florida but with voters across the country.

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10 JUL 2023

Immigration Hub Applauds Expanded Family Reunification Program

WASHINGTON - The Immigration Hub commends the Biden administration’s recent decision to expedite existing legal pathways for Colombian, El Salvadoran, Honduran, and Guatemalan nationals to gain lawful status in the U.S. and reunite with their families. Family reunification has long been the cornerstone of our legal immigration system, but the numerical limitations under certain preference categories too often force loved ones to live apart for years, even decades.

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1 JUL 2023

DeSantis’ Anti-Immigrant Law Goes Into Effect As His Latest Policy Platform Embraces Extreme and Cruel Proposals

WASHINGTON - Today, July 1st, Governor Ron DeSantis’ Florida Senate Bill (SB) 1718 will go into effect and unleash a series of discriminatory provisions against the immigrant community in Florida. The devastating effects of the legislation are already visible across the state’s economy and communities, as worksites sit vacant and public opposition continues to grow, casting a shadow over the nation as DeSantis begins socializing a cruel, extreme and dangerous 2024 immigration policy platform this week.

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20 JUN 2023

Immigration Hub Statement for World Refugee Day

WASHINGTON –  Today on World Refugee Day, we commemorate the harrowing journeys of past and present undertaken by those fleeing persecution, conflict, or human rights violations. In 2022, nearly 110 million people were forced to leave their homes in search of safety, stability, and opportunity–a 21% increase over the previous year. The right to seek safety cannot be ignored.

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19 JUN 2023

Immigration Hub Statement in Honor of Juneteenth

WASHINGTON Juneteenth marks the 1865 liberation of 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, who remained imprisoned by Confederate soldiers more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday is often referred to as the nation’s “second Independence Day,” or “Emancipation Day.”

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15 JUN 2023

The 11th Anniversary of DACA Finds Program Once Again Under Attack, Underscores Need for Swift Action

WASHINGTON – Today marks the 11th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a 2012 Obama-era initiative that extended work authorization and relief from deportation for young people brought to the U.S. as children. Since its inception, DACA has changed the lives of over 835,000 Dreamers by allowing them to plant roots in the only country they’ve ever known. With these protections, Dreamers were able to attain an education, start families, join the military, work lawfully, and more fully integrate as members of our communities and economies.

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13 JUN 2023

Immigration Hub’s Kerri Talbot Reacts to the Biden Administration’s TPS Announcement: More Action is Needed on TPS Now

WASHINGTON – Today, the Biden administration announced its decision to reverse a Trump-era decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The Biden administration announced TPS extensions for 337,000 nationals of these countries, who previously had TPS and have been living and working in the U.S. for many years, and extended their status into 2025.

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9 JUN 2023

ICYMI: Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition Raises the Urgency for Biden to Redesignate TPS for Central American Countries Amidst Extreme GOP Anti-Immigrant Attacks

MIAMI — Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigrant Coalition joined MSNBC’s The Reid Out this week to outline the cruel, anti-immigrant policies in DeSantis-backed Senate Bill 1718 and the devastating economic impact DeSantis’ nativist policies – a political move to win the GOP presidential nomination – are causing in the state. To push back on these extreme GOP attacks and to provide relief to immigrant communities, Kennedy called on President Biden to redesignate Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador nationals  – many of whom already call Florida home. Expanding TPS would not only allow hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers to legally work and remain in the country, but it would also keep families together as TPS holders and potential recipients live with 800,000 U.S. citizens – 400,000 of whom are U.S citizen children.

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8 JUN 2023

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Leaders Urge Administration to Extend and Expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal & Venezuela

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Nanette Barragán, Rep. Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08) held a press conference urging the Administration to use its authority to extend and expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Nepal nationals already living and working in the U.S.

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2 JUN 2023

Businesses, Workers and Organizations in Florida and Across the Country Rally in Opposition to DeSantis-Backed Anti-Immigrant Law

Florida –  While Governor Ron DeSantis continued to campaign for president in New Hampshire, businesses, workers, and civic organizations in Florida and across the country joined pro-immigrant mobilizations on June 1. The demonstrations – collectively named a “Day Without Immigrants” – saw small business owners, immigrant workers and organizations in U.S. cities engage in peaceful protests and marches against SB 1718, a radical piece of anti-immigrant legislation recently signed into law by DeSantis. Advocates and organizations came together to underscore the economic contributions of immigrants in Florida and throughout the United States, and highlighted the destructive consequences of DeSantis’ agenda for Floridians. The June 1st actions followed a successful mobilization in Homestead, Florida last week, a protest that drew over 3,000 people to denounce SB 1718.

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1 JUN 2023

Immigration Hub’s Sergio Gonzales: “It’s Past Time to Protect Dreamers, Our Leaders Must Take Action”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Southern District of Texas is hearing oral arguments on the Texas v. United States Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) case, a lawsuit launched by GOP politicians intending to terminate DACA and revoke work permits and deportation protections from our nation’s Dreamers. In reaction to the hearing, Sergio Gonzales, the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

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24 MAY 2023

DeSantis’s Record on Immigration is Extreme and Out of Touch with the American Electorate

Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis has announced his campaign for president despite continued plummeting poll numbers and amidst a megaphone of criticism from religious, business, and civil rights groups from across the Sunshine State following the Governor’s support for an extreme anti-immigrant law, Senate Bill 1718, which among other measures would impose criminal penalties on any individuals, including U.S. citizens, traveling with undocumented family members in Florida.

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23 MAY 2023

Immigration Hub Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Immigration System

WASHINGTON, DC – Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement in response to the introduction of a bipartisan proposal to overhaul our nation’s immigration system.

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11 MAY 2023

Immigration Hub Urges No Vote on H.R. 2, Dubbed as the House Republicans’ “Child Deportation Act” 

Washington, D.C. –  Today, House Republicans plan to vote on H.R. 2, their disastrous anti-immigrant bill that will dismantle our asylum system, resulting in the deportation of  unaccompanied children, undermine the government's partnerships with humanitarian organizations, resume Trump’s ineffective and expensive border wall at the cost of taxpayers and mandate E-Verify, which will not only harm American workers and businesses but also eliminate billions of dollars in government revenue. This week, a coalition of over 130 national and local organizations urged Members to vote down the legislation. They argue that the bill doubles down on Trump’s failed policies and demonizes immigrant families, including vulnerable children seeking refuge and protection in the United States. 

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10 MAY 2023

ICYMI: UnidosUS’s Janet Murguía: “We need a plan for humane immigration after Title 42 ends"

WASHINGTON —  This week, Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS, penned an op-ed in response to the end of Title 42 and the Biden administration’s newly proposed asylum rule. Murguía writes: “Our community does not support open borders, nor do we tolerate seeing children in danger, families separated and detained or people suffering. We want a functioning immigration system that is humane, efficient and secure.”  

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10 MAY 2023

Immigration Hub Denounces Asylum Transit Ban Regulation

Washington, D.C. – Today the Biden Administration authorized restrictions on asylum that amount to a ban on the ability of potential refugees to seek protection in the United States. As the rule states, it would introduce “a rebuttable presumption of asylum ineligibility for certain noncitizens who neither avail themselves of a lawful, safe, and orderly pathway to the United States nor seek asylum or other protection in a country through which they travel.” The rule proposed just a month ago, has generated widespread condemnation and opposition from faith groups, labor unions, human rights organizations, refugee and immigration groups, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

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9 MAY 2023

136 Organizations Call on Members of Congress to Reject the GOP’s Secure the Border Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as reported by Politico, a coalition of 136 immigration, civil rights, public health, education, religious, labor, and other organizations – including the Immigration Hub, Church World Service, UnidosUS, SEIUCoalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Texas Civil Rights Project, People’s Action, Save the Children, among others – sent a letter urging Members of Congress to reject H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023. 

The proposed legislation is a rightwing stew of discredited and hardline policies aimed at fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. It isn’t designed to make policy but to score political points. 

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8 MAY 2023

ICYMI: Biden Urged to Embrace Immigrant Protections Ahead of Election [Bloomberg]

WASHINGTON — As the Biden administration continues to focus on enforcement and deterrence measures in the lead up to the revocation of Title 42, the Immigration Hub released a memo that outlined key actions the Biden Administration can take ahead of the 2024 presidential election to provide protections for immigrant families, including Dreamers and TPS holders already living and working in the United States.

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4 MAY 2023

Immigration Hub Statement on Sinema and Tillis Proposal to Extend Title 42 

WASHINGTON, DC - Politico is reporting that Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) plan to introduce a bill that functionally will extend Title 42, authorizing DHS to remove asylum-seekers without giving them a chance to apply for refugee protection. In reaction to these reports, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

READ THE FULL STATEMENT


27 APR 2023

Immigration Hub Statement on Biden Administration’s “New Actions to Manage Regional Migration”

Washington, DC – Today, the Biden Administration announced plans to expand refugee processing in Latin America, create new parole programs for Central America and expand the use of expedited removal for those who apply for asylum at the U.S. southern border. The following is a statement by Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub:

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25 APR 2023

“Protect Our Nicaraguan Neighbors:” 120 Faith Organizations Call on the Biden Administration to Redesignate TPS for Nicaragua

Washington, DC – On April 20, 120 faith groups sent a letter to the Biden administration calling for the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua nationals already living and working in the U.S. TPS is provided to those for whom it is unsafe to be returned to their home countries due to armed conflict, persecution, natural disaster, or other reasons.

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25 APR 2023

Immigration Hub Statement on President Biden’s Re-Election Announcement

Washington, D.C. – Today, following President Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign announcement, Sergio Gonzales, the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub released the following statement:

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25 APR 2023

Immigration Hub Statement on Julie Chavez Rodriguez’s Appointment as President Biden’s Reelection Campaign Manager

Washington, D.C. – Following the news that Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the current senior adviser to the President and the director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, will serve as President Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign manager, Sergio Gonzales, the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub released the statement below:

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20 APR 2023

ICYMI: New York City Mayor Eric Adams Calls on President Biden to Expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nationals of Central America and Other Countries

WASHINGTON – The New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with a number of Members of Congress from New York – including Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Daniel Goldman – called on the Biden Administration to use their federal authority to redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon. They also called on the administration to expand and extend humanitarian parole to asylum seekers.

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19 APR 2023

NEW BATTLEGROUND SURVEY – Ahead of 2024, Voters Want Action from Biden and Congress on Immigration: Open Legal Pathway for Immigrant Families, Deliver Sensible Border Solutions  

WASHINGTON — Today, the Immigration Hub and Voto Latino released the results of a new poll of presidential battleground states (AZ, GA, MI, NC, NV, PA, WI), conducted by Global Strategy Group. Coming off the heels of Senator Bob Menendez’s border and asylum plan, the survey results demonstrate that a majority of voters not only need to hear from President Biden and Democrats on immigration, but also support a balanced approach to immigration that includes both sensible and humane border solutions and protections for immigrant families, including Dreamers and TPS-holders, who are at risk of deportation.

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19 APR 2023

RELEASE: Over 100 Advocacy Organizations Call on House of Representatives to Vote Against Upcoming Anti-Immigrant Bills

WASHINGTON, DC — Thi.s week, 106 immigrant rights, civil rights, faith, labor and education organizations from across the country sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives for this week’s House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committee Markup. As the advocacy organizations outlined in the letter: The newly elected majority is driving an intentionally divisive agenda to amplify anti-immigrant animus without moral and effective policy solutions.

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18 APR 2023

Sen. Bob Menendez’s Plan on Asylum is a Potential Game-Changer

WASHINGTON, DC – Today Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) published a plan titled, “Securing our Borders by Managing Migration and Refugees in the Americas.” The Senator urges a four-pillar strategy to manage and mitigate the flow of refugees and migrants from throughout the Americas:

  • Create new legal pathways and expand existing pathways to reduce pressure at the southwestern border;

  • Increase resources at the border to process asylum seekers and remove people without legal claims to stay in the U.S.;

  • Expand humanitarian assistance and develop financing to better integrate migrants and refugees in countries across the Americas; and

  • Elevate efforts to counter transnational criminal organizations involved in human trafficking and smuggling.

READ THE FULL RELEASE


13 APR 2023

Immigration Hub Applauds President Biden’s Plan to Allow DACA-Recipients Access to Critical Health Care Programs

Washington, DC - The Associated Press is reporting today that the Biden Administration is set to announce a policy change that will enable young immigrants with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to access health programs that have been unnecessarily restricted since DACA came into existence in 2012. The following is a statement by Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:

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6 APR 2023

Florida Evangelicals and Catholic Bishops Speak Out Against Governor DeSantis’s Efforts to Criminalize Immigrants and Their Loved Ones

WASHINGTON, DC – As Ron DeSantis’ potential 2024 presidential bid continues to plummet in national polls, the governor is facing serious backlash from conservative religious leaders and groups. They vehemently oppose the series of radical anti-immigrant proposals DeSantis unveiled in late February that are now advancing through the state legislative session.

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28 MAR 2023

130 Faith Groups Call on the Biden Administration to Reject Reinstating Inhumane Family Detention Policies

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, a coalition of 130 faith organizations, including Church World Services, Hope Border Institute and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), among others, sent a letter urging the Biden Administration to reject the revival of discredited family detention policies for immigrants at our southern border. As faith organizations outlined in the letter, family detention is “a cruel and unnecessary way to treat migrant families after their grueling experiences.”

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24 MAR 2023

ICYMI: Philadelphia Mayor Publishes Column Celebrating Philadelphia's Commitment to Welcoming Immigrants – Even When GOP Governors Send Busloads as Political Stunts

Philadelphia, PA – On Thursday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney published an opinion piece in Newsweek on immigration, detailing the efforts by the city of Philadelphia to welcome immigrants – including those sent by buses by Republican governors looking to score political points – and calls on our leaders to forge common-sense policies that protect refugees and strengthen communities. We have heard a great deal from Republicans playing politics with the lives of immigrants; it’s time to hear from a Mayor on the front lines of making it work in an American city.

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20 MAR 2023

ICYMI: White House Economic Report Recommends Immigration Reform as Key to Addressing Labor Shortages and Spurring Increased Growth

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this week, Reuters covered a report by the top economic advisors of the Biden administration that emphasized the dire need for immigration reform to bolster the country’s long-term economic prospects and relieve labor shortages. As the report reminds us, “Immigration bans and closed borders halted the flow of foreign-born workers who were critical for many industries.”


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20 MAR 2023

Former Nicaraguan Political Prisoner Zubrank Suazo Joins Congressional Leaders, Immigrant Advocates to Urge President Biden to Redesignate TPS for Nicaraguans

WASHINGTON, DC – As the Biden Administration continues to weigh whether to expand Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaraguan nationals in the United States, former Nicaraguan political prisoner and opposition leader, Zubrank Suazo, joins Congresswoman Cherfilus McCormick (FL-20), St. Agatha Catholic Church’s Father Marcos Somarriba, and immigrant rights leaders to call on President Biden to immediately redesignate TPS for Nicaraguans.

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17 MAR 2023

Nevada Senator Cortez Masto Pushes for Immigration Reform and Protecting Right to Asylum

NEVADA – Today, NPR’s Steve Inskeep published a conversation with Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto on the urgent need for immigration reform to protect the millions of immigrants, including Dreamers, TPS recipients and essential workers currently living and contributing to the economy and communities across the country. The Senator’s new legislation, the Fairness for Immigrant Families Act, seeks to fix outdated laws complicating our immigration system to help bring families out of the shadows and crack down on notario fraud.

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16 MAR 2023

DeSantis and Florida GOP Bill: If You Live with, Work with, or Help Immigrants, You Could Go To Jail

WASHINGTON DC - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican state legislators have filed a radical, unprecedented and far-reaching anti-immigrant bill. Yesterday, the bill passed the Florida Senate Rules Committee. As the potential 2024 contender seeks to gain voter support outside of Florida, DeSantis is waging a cultural and economic offensive against the Sunshine State’s communities, including workers and businesses – a preview of the extreme platform the governor will likely tout in the run up to the 2024 presidential election.

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16 MAR 2023

ICYMI: Former Presidents of Colombia and Costa Rica Speak Out Against U.S. Asylum Rollbacks

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, former Colombian President and and Nobel Peace Laureate, Juan Manuel Santos, and Costa Rican President, Carlos Alverada Quesada, published separate opinion pieces regarding migration in the Americas, and both criticized the Biden administration for undermining hemispheric cooperation with its short-sighted proposal to restrict asylum access in the United States.


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10 MAR 2023

ICYMI: Congressional Progressive, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and Black Caucuses United in Calling on the Biden Administration to Reject Family Detention

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the Chairs of the Congressional Progressive, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and Black caucuses all released statements calling on President Biden’s administration to reject the resumption of family detention at the southern border. This discredited and harmful practice was discontinued by the Biden administration in line with the President’s campaign promises to end the cruelty that defined immigration policy under the Trump administration. 

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10 MAR 2023

U.S Senator Alex Padilla, Immigration Advocates and Latino Leaders Urge Biden Administration to Reject Failed Policies of the Past and Embrace Solutions to Protect Immigrants

WASHINGTON D.C — Earlier today, the Immigration Hub hosted a press call featuring U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, as well as Voto Latino, United We Dream, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Save the Children, Mi Familia Vota. The speakers called upon the Biden Administration to keep its commitment to creating a fair and humane immigration system, to step back from failed policies of the past such as severe restrictions on asylum and family detention, and to move forward with executive actions to improve our immigration system and protect immigrants who have long contributed to the U.S. The groups lifted up the recently-released 2023 Immigration Priorities: A Blueprint for the Biden-Harris Administration, a blueprint endorsed by 40 prominent Latino, civil rights, faith and pro-immigrant groups.

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7 MAR 2023

Immigration Hub: Family Detention Has No Place in a Fair, Orderly and Humane Immigration System

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, The New York Times reported that the Biden administration is considering reviving the discredited tactic of detaining asylum-seeking families in U.S. detention facilities. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

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28 FEB 2023

Prominent Latino, Civil Rights, Faith and Pro-Immigrant Groups Detail 2023 Immigration Priorities for President Biden Halfway Through Presidency

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, 40 prominent Latino, civil rights, faith and pro-immigrant groups, including the NAACP, UnidosUS, Voto Latino, Human Rights First, Asian American Justice Center, Church World Service, and the Immigration Hub, released a blueprint for the Biden-Harris administration, outlining five core priorities to improve the nation’s immigration system. 

rEAD THE FULL RELEASE


21 FEB 2023

Immigration Hub Condemns the Biden Administration’s Decision to Formally Propose Trump-Era Asylum Ban

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Biden administration formally announced their proposal to institute a backdoor ban on asylum. The proposal, commonly called a “transit ban,” will severely curtail the rights of individuals and families fleeing persecution to seek asylum at our southern border. 

President Biden first announced his administration’s intention to re-establish this ban in early January. Since then, hundreds of civil rights groups, faith-based organizations, elected officials, and immigrant advocates have criticized the Biden administration. Resourcing and reforming asylum is necessary; undermining America’s core commitment to offer asylum and safety to those fleeing persecution and violence is not. 

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16 FEB 2023

Reps. Frost and Soto Along With Immigration Advocates Urge President Biden to Redesignate TPS for Nicaraguans

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Representatives Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) and Darren Soto (FL-09) joined the Immigration Hub, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and the American Friends Service Committee to urge President Biden and his administration to redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. 

Read the full release


16 FEB 2023

Immigration is Key to America’s Economy, Americans Support Immigration and Citizenship

Most economic and immigration experts agree that immigration can help solve our labor shortagesand the detrimental impacts of a declining population. Many of America’s greatest innovations and strengths have come from immigrants and refugees who hail from all over the world. They settle in the U.S. seeking refuge or opportunity, contributing to America as entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, business leaders, and problem solvers. In fact, despite recent coverage of a Gallup poll with misguided survey questions, the very same pollster has for years tracked the immensity of support for increased immigration in the United States.

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13 FEB 2023

Immigration Hub Urges the Biden Administration to Redesignate and Extend Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua 

WASHINGTON DC -  The increasingly totalitarian nature of the Ortega-Murillo regime and the brutal political repression Nicaraguans face in their daily lives exacerbates the need for the Biden administration to urgently redesignate Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for the country. Just last week, 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners were sent to the U.S. in one of the largest releases of this kind in our country’s history. They have been stripped of Nicaraguan citizenship by the Ortega-Murillo regime and, while they have been granted humanitarian parole to remain in the U.S. for a period of two years, their futures remain uncertain. Illustrating the deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, Pope Francis has expressed worry about the sentencing of Bishop Rolando Alvarez to 26 years in jail in the latest move against the Catholic Church and government opponents. Additionally, the structural and economic impacts of Category 4 Hurricanes Eta and Iota, have displaced thousands and made conditions untenable.  

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10 FEB 2023

ICYMI: Miami Herald: Hundreds of Groups Urging President Biden to Redesignate Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a coalition of 272 groups led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the American Friends Service Committee, sent a letter asking the Biden administration to act now and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaragua. This redesignation which would allow over 35,000 Nicaraguans living and working in the United States to safely remain in the country without the fear of deportation. 

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10 FEB 2023

The Immigration Hub Reacts to the Introduction of the 2023 DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Graham (R-SC) re-introduced the DREAM Act, a bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought here as children and grew up in the United States. With the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program hanging in the balance as a result of repeated GOP attacks, congressional action to grant Dreamers permanent protection is critically urgent. 

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9 FEB 2023

Immigration Hub’s Kerri Talbot: “Relic policies of the Trump-era have no business being pushed by a Democratic administration.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Reuters reported that the Biden administration is preparing legislation to codify an asylum ban. The proposal, commonly called a “transit ban,” would presumptively deny asylum to migrants encountered along the border who transited through a third country without requesting protection, and to those who entered America between ports of entry. This will severely curtail the rights of individuals and families fleeing persecution to seek asylum at our southern border. 

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8 FEB 2023

Immigration Hub Commends Biden for Calling for Immigration Reform, But Cautions the White House Against Proposing Reported Asylum Ban

In reaction to President Biden’s State of the Union speech, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement: 

Read The full release


7 FEB 2023

Pennsylvania Dreamer, Former CASA Member and Immigration Advocate Invited as the First Lady’s Guest at the State of the Union 

WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, the White House announced that Mitzi Colin Lopez, a Dreamer from West Chester, Pennsylvania, will join First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as her guest to the State of the Union. Mitzi Colin Lopez is an advocate for immigration reform, and in 2021 Ms. Colin Lopez met the President to share her experiences as a DACA recipient. She is originally from Mexico but grew up only knowing the U.S. as her home. She applied and received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2015, and graduated from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2021. Ms. Colin Lopez has also served as a lead membership promoter for immigrant advocacy organization CASA in Pennsylvania. 

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7 FEB 2023

Ahead of SOTU, Immigration Hub Calls on Biden and Congress to Make Immigration Reform a Top Priority This Congress 

Ahead of President Biden’s State of the Union address, Sergio Gonzales, the Executive Director of the Immigration Hub released the following statement:

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6 FEB 2023

Immigration Hub Statement on Vice President Harris and the Biden Administration’s Unprecedented Efforts to Tackle the Root Causes of Migration in Central America 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Vice President Kamala Harris continued the administration’s groundbreaking work to address the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States. The Vice President released key milestones of the administration’s Call to Action Initiative, a public-private partnership to create economic security and resilience in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. 

Read the full release


3 FEB 2023

Hub Highlights: Republicans Offer More Political Stunts, Not Solutions

WASHINGTON, D.C.As new polling demonstrates that 80% of Americans want our leaders to deliver citizenship to immigrant families, Republicans across the country and in all levels of government continue to show just how out of step they are with the American people. 

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2 FEB 2023

With 80% of Americans Supporting Pathway to Citizenship, Biden Administration and Congress Should Finally Do Away with Failed Trump Policies 

WASHINGTON, DC - Recent reports indicate that the Biden administration is considering the reinstatement of a Trump-era policy that would deprive asylum seekers of a fair process to present their claims and place vulnerable families under Border Patrol custody and in unsafe conditions. Under this plan, the initial asylum screening would be conducted while asylum seekers are detained in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detention centers, denying them due process. Additionally, individuals in CBP custody are often at risk of abuse– according to a 2021 Human Rights Watch report CBP “suffers from serious transparency, oversight, and accountability deficits” and mounting allegations of physical and sexual abuse.  

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27 JAN 2023

Hub Highlights: In Series of Actions, Congressional Leaders, Civil Rights Groups, Religious Organizations, and Immigration Advocates Keep the Pressure High on the Biden Administration To Backtrack Asylum Ban Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the past week, hundreds of groups, organizations, and elected officials have taken action to denounce President Biden’s proposed asylum “transit” ban, which was part of a proposal rolled out in early January that would deny children and families who are fleeing persecution and dangerous conditions the right to legally seek protection at the border. The rule, experts say, would ultimately force people to return to violence, torture or persecution abroad.

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20 JAN 2023

ICYMI: Nearly 300 Groups Calls on Biden to Reverse ‘Asylum Ban’ 

WASHINGTON, DC – Led by Human Rights First, 292 civil rights, human rights, and advocacy groups, including UnidosUs, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, ACLU, MoveOn, Hispanic Federation, the Immigration Hub, and Amnesty International, signed a letter to the Biden Administration on Thursday urging administration officials to drop its proposed asylum ban. This ban, reminiscent of an asylum ban Trump attempted to implement, would deny asylum to migrants encountered along the border who transited through a third country without requesting protection or who entered between ports of entry. If implemented, this policy would undermine the Biden administration’s efforts to restore the nation’s asylum system and jeopardize the lives of desperate families seeking safety and refuge. 

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12 JAN 2023

ICYMI: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members, Senators Booker, Menendez, Luján, Padilla, and Faith and Advocacy Groups Criticize Biden's Plan to Enact Trump- Asylum Ban 

WASHINGTON, DC – Since President Biden announced his new immigration policies last Thursday, elected officials, advocacy organizations including faith and human rights groups, and other leaders have publicly conveyed their disappointment with the plan, which includes the extension of Trump-era policy Title 42 and recycles Trump’s “transit ban” at the southern border. 

The rule would deny children and families who are fleeing persecution and dangerous conditions the right to legally seek protection at the border, effectively denying asylum to anyone who cannot prove that they sought and were denied asylum in a country they passed through on their way to the U.S. border. Ultimately, people would be forced to return to violence, torture or persecution abroad. 

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5 JAN 2023

Immigration Hub Responds to President Biden’s New Plans to Manage Migration and the Border

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Biden administration announced a plan to expand legal migration pathways for individuals from Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti while also expanding Border Patrol’s ability to expel asylum seekers.  

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“The Biden administration’s ability to manage the southern border has been hamstrung throughout the last two years by Republican obstruction and the courts. Left with limited choices on how to address the border, today, President Biden announced the creation of new legal pathways that would allow individuals from Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua to apply for parole and arrive in the U.S. by air while expelling those who arrive at the border.  

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22 DEC 2022

Immigration Hub’s Kerri Talbot: Congress Should Support Commonsense Immigration Policies Instead of Stephen Miller Redux

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate voted down two anti-immigrant amendments offered by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Senators Krysten Sinema (I-AZ) that would have had disastrous consequences for our nation’s immigration system. The two anti-immigrant amendments would have required the reinstatement of the mass expulsions asylum ban policy (Title 42) and created further mismanagement of the southern border. The Sinema-Tester amendment would have nearly doubled the harmful immigration detention system with historically unprecedented funding levels. 

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19 DEC 2022

ICYMI: As We Enter the Holiday Season, Sergio Gonzales Tells MSNBC “This is the Time for Title 42 to Come Down.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, appeared this weekend on “American Voices with Alicia Menendez” on MSNBC to discuss the upcoming end to the Title 42 policy, a failed Trump-era immigration rule enacted in the early days of the pandemic to immediately expel migrants at the border under a public health emergency.

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16 DEC 2022

National Latino Leaders Respond to Senate’s Failure to Deliver Bipartisan Deal to Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC – After Senate Republicans failed to come to the table to deliver a bipartisan deal that included a pathway to citizenship for over two million Dreamers, Latino leaders from around the country gathered for a press call held by United We Dream, Mi Familia Vota, Community Change Action, the Immigration Hub, and UnidosUs. They were also joined by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

Seventy-eight percent of Latino voters in battleground states support Congress taking action to protect Dreamers if a federal court overturns the DACA program – which could happen as soon as next year. Latino voters have given Congress a mandate to find a way forward so that Dreamers don’t have to continue to live and work in limbo. 

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16 DEC 2022

Immigration Hub: Republicans Sabotage the American Dream, Leaders Must Not Fail Dreamers Again 

WASHINGTON, DC - According to the latest report, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn have blocked Senators Krysten Sinema (AZ-I) and Thom Tillis’s (NC-R) bipartisan legislation to protect Dreamers and address the border.

The Immigration Hub issued the following statement in response to the news:

“Our organization, consisting of long-time immigrant rights experts and directly-impacted advocates, are both saddened and infuriated by the failure to reach a bipartisan deal that would have finally protected millions of Dreamers. This is devastating for so many young immigrants and their families who have long hung to the hope that our elected leaders would finally deliver on their promises. With the courts threatening to end DACA, Dreamers who work as doctors, nurses, teachers and in many important roles in our communities could lose their jobs and face the threat of deportation. This is absolutely unacceptable.

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15 DEC 2022

Data to Disrupt: Dreams Dashed But Hope Remains

1. GOP Keeps Gaslighting Dreamers and the Rest of America Despite the Data

Once again, Republicans killed another bipartisan effort to protect Dreamers from deportation and address border security. This was a lopsided deal, too, that would have tremendously increased investments in border security – estimated at $40 billion. Clearly, the GOP doesn’t want solutions; they want to score political points and keep gaslighting America with fears about “migrant invasions” and illegal drugs, insisting to voters that they can’t deliver a path to citizenship to Dreamers without securing the border. And while they create this harmful narrative that blames Democrats and immigrants, they entertain bipartisanship only to dash the hopes of millions with their con. Senators McConnell, John Cornyn (R-TX) and the rest of the extreme Republican caucus don’t want to step up and govern – they want to cater to the extreme in pursuit of power. 

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15 DEC 2022

Press Call: National Latino Leaders Respond to Senate’s Failure to Deliver Bipartisan Deal to Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC - Joined by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Latino leaders from United We Dream, the Immigration Hub, UnidosUS, Mi Familia Vota, and Community Change Action will hold a press call on Friday, December 16 at 11:30AM EST to call out Senate Republicans for failing to come to the table on a bipartisan solution that would have finally delivered a path to citizenship for Dreamers. With seventy-eight percent of Latino voters in battleground states in support of Congress taking action to protect Dreamers if a federal court overturns the DACA program, speakers will underscore the urgency and mandate from Latino voters for Congress to find a way forward. It's now or never for Dreamers.

In conjunction with the press call, the Immigration Hub and UnidosUS released a letter signed by 66 Latino leaders from across the country, reminding Congress that immigration is a deeply personal and important issue for Latino communities across the U.S. and Latino voters are paying close attention to see who steps up to protect Dreamers during this critical time. 

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14 DEC 2022

66 Latino Leaders Make Mandate Clear to Republicans and Democrats: “It’s Now or Never for Dreamers”

The Hill: Latino leaders press Senate for DACA protections in lame-duck session

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as first reported by The Hill, 66 Latino leaders representing dozens of national and local organizations, including the Latino Victory Project, Voto Latino, Mi Familia Vota, Hispanic Federation, NALEO Education Fund, Somos Votanes, NextGen America, and many more, joined the Immigration Hub, UnidosUS and United We Dream in sending a letter to Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell urging both parties to come together and deliver a bipartisan solution that ensures permanent protections for Dreamers before the end of the year. 

As the courts gear up to end DACA as soon as next year, Congress cannot afford to miss the closing window of opportunity to pass legislation that would create a path to citizenship for Dreamers. With seventy-eight percent of Latino voters in battleground states supporting Congress taking action to protect Dreamers if a federal court overturns DACA, Latino leaders from across the country are calling on Senate leadership to act. This year, Latino voters proved critical in battleground races across the country, delivering a mandate to elected leaders: It's now or never for Dreamers.

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9 DEC 2022

ICYMI: Bipartisan Group of Mayors Urge Congress to Pass Permanent Protections for Dreamers Before the End of the Year

WASHINGTON, DC - Mayors from across the aisle and across the country have come together over the last week with Cities for Action, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and United We Dream to call on Congress to pass legislation this year to protect Dreamers who have been living in limbo for far too long. Over 70 mayors released a public bipartisan letter calling on the U.S. Senate to strike a bipartisan deal to pass protections for Dreamers before the end of this year.

Mayor Jim Brainard, a Republican from Carmel, Indiana, and Mayor Joe Schember, a Democrat from Erie, Pennsylvania held a press call with the aforementioned organizations this week, highlighting the positive economic impact of Dreamers in communities and local economies across the country and emphasizing the tremendous negative impacts an end to the program would have for their communities.  

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7 DEC 2022

ICYMI: CASA In Action Turned Out Critical Voters to Propel Warnock to Victory, Send Mandate to Congress: Deliver Protections for Dreamers and Immigrant Families

WASHINGTON, DC - CASA in Action led a successful voter mobilization campaign among Black, Latino, immigrant, and working class communities in Georgia to help propel Rev. Raphael Warnock to victory over Herschel Walker in his runoff election for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. CASA’s efforts on the ground, which included a combined approach of canvassing, phone banking, and digital and radio ads, are just another example of rejecting anti-immigrant extremism and supporting a candidate who is willing to fight for protections for Dreamers and immigrant workers in America. This is another victory in a series of battleground races where critical voters, including Latinos, continue to signal to elected leaders that it is time to deliver immigration solutions that will empower local economies and communities.

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7 DEC 2022

U.S. Mayors Brainard and Schember, Cities for Action, and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Gather with DACA Recipient to Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers Permanently

Bipartisan call underscored economic contributions of Dreamers to communities across the country

For a recording of the webinar, click here.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Mayor Brainard (R-Carmel, IN) and Mayor Schember (D-Erie, PA), along with Cities for Action, the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and DACA recipient Juan Jose Martinez-Guevara, held a press call where they called on Congress to pass legislation this year to protect Dreamers who have been living in limbo for far too long. The call comes on the heels of emerging reports that Senators Sinema and Tillis have reached a potential bipartisan legislative deal on DACA and follows a bipartisan letter, signed by over 70 mayors including Mayors Brainard and Schember, urging Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during this lame duck session. As the courts are geared to end the DACA program as soon as next year and as an incoming GOP-controlled house is determined to block any meaningful attempt at immigration reform, it’s now or never for Dreamers.

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6 DEC 2022

Immigration Hub Applauds the Biden Administration’s Decision to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Haiti  

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Biden administration announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Redesignated to August 3rd, 2024, the program will allow Haitians nationals residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, to continue to remain and work in the United States. 

In response to the announcement, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“We commend the administration’s decision to redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which will provide safety and security to thousands of Haitians who are unable to return to their home country as a result of the nation’s escalating dangerous conditions. Haiti is in the midst of a humanitarian disaster and extreme political unrest while still grappling with devastating impacts of natural disasters. These conditions warrant immediate administrative action, as Congress intended, to ensure that Haitian nationals currently in the country are not forced to return.

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6 DEC 2022

Coalition of Bipartisan U.S. Mayors, DACA Recipient to Host Press Call Urging Congress to Enact Permanent Protections for Dreamers

Mayors Brainard (R-IN) of Carmel and Schember of Erie (D-PA), Along With DACA Recipient and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Say: “It’s Now or Never for Dreamers. Congress Must Act.”

WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday, December 7th, Cities for Action, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and a bipartisan group of U.S. Mayors will join a DACA recipient to call upon Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during the lame duck session. It’s imperative that leaders of both parties come together on a deal during this crucial time. 

DACA is an immensely popular program in the U.S., with a strong majority of voters (65%) saying that Congress should act to protect Dreamers if a federal court overturns the DACA program, along with 78% of Latino voters. The end of DACA will have dire and insurmountable ripple effects across communities and local economies. An average of 1,000 Dreamers will lose their jobs each week — in labor market sectors already experiencing shortages, such as healthcare, education, service industries, food production and more. 

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5 DEC 2022

Immigration Hub Responds to Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Dreamers and Address Border Policy

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent reported on a potential bipartisan legislative deal that would provide permanent protections for DACA-recipients and other Dreamers. The proposal would also change and restrict the way asylum applicants are processed at our southern border.  

If Congress fails to pass legislation during this lame duck session, the courts are likely to strike down the DACA program as early as next year. The consequences of ending DACA will be far-reaching and devastating, with an average of 1,000 Dreamers a week losing their jobs and their deportation protections. 

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement in response to the latest development:  

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2 DEC 2022

ICYMI: Bipartisan Group of Mayors Call On Congress to Protect DACA Recipients

The Hill: “The mayor’s argument for legislative action on Dreamers...is moral, economic and political.”

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, over 70 mayors from across the country, hailing from blue and red states, released a public letter urging the U.S. Senate to strike a bipartisan deal to pass protections for Dreamers before the end of this year. Centering the economic impact to cities across the US, the letter underscored how ending DACA would have devastating consequences for millions of people including DACA recipients, DACA-eligible individuals, their families, friends and communities. The mayoral letter was followed by a joint letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus also urging Congress to take immediate action in order to deliver permanent protections for Dreamers once and for all. With the courts seeking to end DACA as soon as next year, Congress has an opportunity to provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth this year.

In case you missed it…

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2 DEC 2022

ICYMI: Newsweek: Sergio Gonzales & Maria Teresa Kumar: Voters Said 'No' to Extremism, and 'Yes' to Dreamers

“The Moment of Truth—for Dreamers and for an America That Wants Congress To Formally Recognize Dreamers As the Americans They Already Are—Is Upon Us.”

WASHINGTON, DC - In a new opinion piece, Sergio Gonzales, executive director of the Immigration Hub, and Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino write about the urgent need and mandate from voters, especially Latino voters, for Congress to strike a deal and create a path to citizenship for Dreamers during the lame duck session. Currently, the program is on life support and the courts could end DACA as early as next year. “It's not an overstatement to say that if America wants to protect Dreamers, it's now or never,” Gonzales and Kumar write. 

In the recent weeks, business, faith, and local leaders across the country have echoed the strong public support for legislative action to protect Dreamers this year. 

To read the full article, click here.

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29 NOV 2022

Nine Pennsylvania Mayors Write to Congressional Leaders Urging Congress to Enact Permanent Protection for Dreamers 

Mayors in Pennsylvania, including Mayor Kenney of Philadelphia, Tuerk of Allentown, ​​Mayor Cognetti of Scranton, Mayor Gainey of Pittsburgh, Mayor Sorace of Lancaster, Mayor Reynolds of Bethlehem, Mayor Schember of Erie, Mayor Pennington of Bellevue and Mayor Nanes of State College, send letter to congressional leaders expressing urgency to protect Dreamers before the end of the year

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Cities for Action sent a bipartisan letter, signed by seven Pennsylvania mayors, urging members of Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during the lame duck session. Pennsylvania Mayors Jim Kenney, Matt Tuerk, Paige Cognetti, Ed Gainy, Danene Sorace, J. William Reynolds, Joseph Schember, Val Pennington, and Erza Nanes signed onto the letter that includes over 70 mayors from California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

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29 NOV 2022

Four North Carolina Mayors Urge Congress to Enact Permanent Protection for Dreamers 

Mayors in North Carolina, including, Mayor Manheimer of Asheville, Mayor Seils of Carrboro, Mayor Hemminger of Chapel Hill, and Mayor O'Neal of Durham send letter to congressional leaders expressing urgency to protect Dreamers before the end of the year

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Cities for Action sent a bipartisan letter, signed by four North Carolina mayors, urging members of Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during the lame duck session. North Carolina Mayors Damon Seils, Pam Hemminger, Elaine M. O'Neal, and Esther Manheimer signed onto the letter that includes over 70 mayors from California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

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29 NOV 2022

Mayors Across Texas Write to Congressional Leaders Urging  Congress to Enact Permanent Protection for Dreamers 

Mayors in Texas, including Mayor Adler of Austin, Mayor Mendez of Brownsville and Mayor Turner of Houston send letter to congressional leaders expressing urgency to protect Dreamers before the end of the year

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Cities for Action sent a bipartisan letter, signed by three Texas mayors, urging members of Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during the lame duck session. Texas Mayors Steve Adler, Trey Mendez and Sylvester Turner signed onto the letter that includes over 70 mayors from California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Texas is home to the second largest population of Dreamers in the country and nearly half (48%) of Texas Dreamers are essential workers, working in critical industries such as medical fields, energy, defense and more.

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29 NOV 2022

Cohort of Six Florida Mayors Urge Congress to Enact Permanent Protection for Dreamers 

Mayors in Florida, including Mayor Poe of Gainesville, Mayor Davey of Key Biscayne, Mayor Cava of Miami Dade County, Mayor Ziade of North Lauderdale, Mayor Dyer of Orlando and Mayor Ortis of Pembroke Pines send letter to congressional leaders expressing urgency to protect Dreamers before the end of the year

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Cities for Action sent a bipartisan letter, signed by six Florida mayors, urging members of Congress to enact permanent protections for Dreamers during the lame duck session. Florida Mayors Lauren Poe, Michael W. Davey, Daniella Levine Cava, Ana M. Ziade, Buddy Dyer, and Frank C. Ortis signed onto the letter that includes over 70 mayors from California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Florida is home to the third largest Dreamer population in the country and more than one third of Florida’s Dreamers are essential workers.

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29 NOV 2022

ICYMI: Business Leaders Highlight Dreamers’ Contributions to Economy and Innovation, Urge Congress to Pass Permanent Protections for Dreamers During the Lame Duck

Business Roundtable: “America is at its strongest, most innovative and most competitive when immigrants are welcomed.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Over the past month, community and business leaders on both sides of the aisle have urged Congress to begin to address our broken immigration system with a legislative fix for DACA during the lame duck session. The urgency comes after the Fifth Circuit court declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unlawful, bringing the courts one step closer to ending the program indefinitely. The end of DACA will have dire and insurmountable ripple effects across communities and local economies, with an average of 1,000 Dreamers losing their jobs each week. This month, business leaders and economic experts from across the country have publicly stepped forward, calling on Congress to pass legislation to protect Dreamers, underscoring the fundamental contributions of DACA-recipients to local economies.

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22 NOV 2022

It’s Now or Never: Senate Democrats, Mayors, Higher-Ed and Business Leaders, Advocacy Groups Ramp Up Urgency to Pass Permanent Protections for Dreamers During the Lame Duck

Majority Leader Schumer: “The election is over. Voters rejected the deeply anti-immigrant message of MAGA Republicans and Senate Republicans must now come to the table and offer realistic solutions to fix DACA.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, Democratic Senators from across the country publicly declared their support for immigration reform— most notably for passing a legislative fix for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and immigrant youth during the lame duck session. A bipartisan call to protect Dreamers by elected officials, business leaders, higher ed groups, and a diverse spectrum of advocates has renewed the urgency to deliver a legislative solution before the conservative courts end the program indefinitely. 

Last week, Senators and advocates held a press conference to urge Republicans to work with Democrats on a bipartisan deal before the end of the year. The event was a part of a groundswell of advocacy, including lobbying by DACA-recipients and DACA eligible immigrant youth, and leading voices, such as former President Barack Obama, calling for congressional action. 

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16 NOV 2022

Senate Majority Whip Durbin; Senate Majority Leader Schumer; Senators Menendez, Padilla, Cortez Masto, and DACA Recipients Call on Congress to Legislate Protections for Dreamers After Wide Voter Support in Midterms

WASHINGTON, DC - This afternoon, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); and U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), along with directly impacted immigrant youth leaders, hosted a press conference to call on Republicans in Congress to work with Democrats before the end of the year to pass permanent protections for immigrant youth.

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15 NOV 2022

Senate Democrats Show Strong Support to Deliver Protections for Dreamers During Lame Duck

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Democratic Senators from across the country have publicly declared their support for immigration reform – most notably for passing a legislative fix for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and immigrant youth during Congress’ lame duck session. The move holds popular support among the American electorate as exit polls show that voters support Congress taking immediate action to protect Dreamers by a 2-to-1 margin.

In a DSCC press conference earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) said “We want to get DACA done. A number of our Senators led by Senators Durbin and Padilla as well as Senator Sinema are working in a bipartisan way. We are going to try to get something done in the lame duck." Watch his comment here

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15 NOV 2022

226 Groups Demand Democrats Protect Immigrant Youth in End-of-Year Package

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as reported by POLITICO, a coalition of 226 organizations, representing many constituencies, urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize protections for immigrant youth and DACA recipients by including permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for the millions of immigrant youth in any end-of-year package.

In the following weeks, Congress has the opportunity to protect immigrant youth following the Fifth Circuit Court’s decision finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy unlawful. DACA has protected more than 830,000 young people from deportation, allowing them to work, study, and contribute fully to American society. With voters, by a 2-to-1 margin, supporting Congress taking immediate action to provide permanent legal status to DACA recipients, the letter makes clear to Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer that the time to act is now.

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14 NOV 2022

Mark Kelly and Ballot Initiative Wins Send Definitive Signal: Time to Deliver Protections for Dreamers

Despite Enormous Spending on Anti-Immigrant Attacks, Voters Rejected Extremism; Latino Voters Proved Critical to Kelly’s Victory and passage of in state tuition for Dreamers.

WASHINGTON, DC - In an election cycle in which Republicans spent millions attacking Democrats on immigration and Blake Masters echoed the same extreme and anti-immigrant GOP talking points and falsehoods on the border, Senator Mark Kelly successfully blunted and countered those attacks by doubling down on his support for an immigration system that treats people “fairly and humanely” including citizenship for Dreamers and hard-working immigrants.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, stated: “The message from voters in Arizona is loud and clear: they reject GOP extremism and fear mongering; they support smart policy solutions that protect and expand opportunity for Dreamers who are American in all but paperwork and better manage the border; and they want undocumented students who grew up in Arizona to attend Arizona public universities on the same basis as their classmates and neighbors. 

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14 NOV 2022

On the Heels of Arizona and Nevada Democratic Victories Propelled by Latinos, Midterm Election Results Show Clear Mandate for Congress to Deliver for Latino Voters 

82% of Latino voters say they support Congress passing a law to protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC - The results of the 2022 midterm elections demonstrate that a majority of voters across the country rejected extremist GOP rhetoric on immigration, abortion, and democracy. The “red wave” that countless Republican candidates and operatives promised simply did not materialize in the face of passionate organizing and Democratic candidates who ran on shared American values— from immigration reform to abortion access. 

Democrats defied political gravity with positive messages on Dreamers, farm workers, and immigrants to win critical races in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Most recently in Nevada and Arizona, Catherine Cortez Masto and Mark Kelly, respectively, pulled off gritty wins in hotly contested Senate battleground races. Both Senators doubled down on their support for a fair and humane immigration system along with citizenship for Dreamers and hard-working immigrants. Also in Arizona, Adrian Fontes, the only Latino running statewide, has defeated election denier Mark Finchem in the race for Secretary of State. These races show that when candidates recognize Dreamers and immigrants as one of America’s greatest assets, acknowledge the broken system and own popular solutions, they can pick up critical voters and win.

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12 NOV 2022

Cortez-Masto Victory Shows the Power of the Latino Vote, Makes Mandate Clear to Congress: Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Cortez-Masto declared victory today against Republican candidate Adam Laxalt who boasted through his campaign his active efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and put Dreamers on a path to deportation. In a tight race to the finish line, the Latino vote also proved critical in favor of the incumbent senator.  

Following the news, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, stated, “Nevada is the story of how crucial it is to galvanize the Latino vote and present a clear vision and contrast against anti-immigrant extremism. Laxalt made no secret of his deliberate intention to deport Dreamers, build a wall and vilify migrants at the border. Nevada’s response to Laxalt: not in our state.

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11 NOV 2022

Immigration Hub Applauds the Biden Administration’s Decision to Extend TPS Designation

Biden Administration Extends TPS to El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan, Benefitting Hundreds of Thousands of Hard-working Immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Biden administration announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for six countries, including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan. Extended to June 30, 2024, the program will allow nearly 400,000 immigrants of these six nationalities to continue to remain and work in the United States. 

In response to the announcement, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“This extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will protect hundreds of thousands of individuals who are unable to return to nations beset by violence and instability. In taking this action, the Biden administration did the right thing. The decision, however, does not expand the TPS designation to those who arrived in America after earlier cut-off dates, and these individuals are similarly situated and deserving of protection. 

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11 NOV 2022

ICYMI: Washington Post: GOP MAGA Immigration Strategy “Keeps Failing to Deliver”

WASHINGTON, DC - In a new column, the Washington Post’s’ Greg Sargent breaks down how the Democrats shattered all expectations this midterm election and stumped the red wave. Sargent lays out the top 5 GOP narratives that “went down in flames,” including how, despite “pouring enormous sums” to amplify “invasion” language and anti-immigrant rhetoric, the GOP MAGA strategy did little to help win in marquee House and Senate races. Sargent noted: “Republicans have long enjoyed a presumption of a major advantage on [immigration], but aside from Trump’s 2016 victory, it keeps failing to deliver.”

In the run-up to the midterm election, Republicans and right-wing media employed a surge in anti-immigrant and white nationalist rhetoric — echoing “open borders” and “Great Replacement Theory.” According to The New York Times, BPI Media found that Republicans “outspent Democrats on immigration-related ads on streaming services and traditional television nearly 15 to 1 — with $119.4 million compared to Democrats’ $8.1 million.”  And on the debate stage with millions of voters watching, Republican candidates, like failed candidate Mehment Oz, decided to use their airtime to double down on disingenuous attacks and incendiary language about the border and immigration. 

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09 NOV 2022

The Fetterman Lean: “Immigration Makes America, America”: How Fetterman Blunted GOP Anti-Immigrant Attacks With Effective Values-Based Immigration Messaging, Setting an Example for Democrats in Battleground States

WASHINGTON, DC - In an election cycle where Republicans spent millions attacking Democrats on immigration and Mehmet Oz echoed the same extreme and anti-immigrant GOP talking points and falsehoods on the border, John Fetterman successfully blunted and countered those attacks by doubling down on his belief that “immigration makes America, America.” 

“Against the common political refrain— you don’t talk immigration in politics— John Fetterman and his campaign proved that leaning into pro-immigrant values and solutions is a winning message among critical voters,” stated Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer at the Immigration Hub. “Since 2018, the Immigration Hub has surveyed public opinion in Pennsylvania on immigration and tested a number of ads holding GOP candidates accountable for their anti-immigrant rhetoric and record, each time we’ve found that the majority of the commonwealth’s electorate resoundingly supports popular policies like citizenship for Dreamers and rejects the extremism of the right. The Fetterman-lean on immigration, emboldened by his wife— a former Dreamer and champion for hard-working immigrants in her state— is a recipe for Democrats on how to talk the talk, counter the attacks, and win big.”

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08 NOV 2022

NEW ELECTION DAY POLL: Despite the Divisive Politics, Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers

By A 2-To-1 Margin, Voters Say They Support Congress Taking Immediate Action To Provide Permanent Legal Status To DACA Recipients and Dreamers 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, national groups representing a diversity of issues and communities, including the Immigration Hub, released their 2022 Midterm Voter Election Poll findings. Surveying over 12,000 voters on a number of kitchen-table issues, the poll found that the majority of the electorate supports pro-immigrant solutions, such as delivering legislative protections for Dreamers, rejecting extremism and xenophobia, and establishing a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants.

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08 NOV 2022

ICYMI: New York Times on the Path Forward for Immigration Reform 

WASHINGTON, DC - In a new report, the New York Times’ Eileen Sullivan breaks down the current political environment surrounding immigration reform, including potential legislative action relating to Dreamers and a path to citizenship which despite the punditry, poll after poll (after poll) has found to have tremendous support from the majority of Americans, including Latino voters. 

In her piece, Sullivan makes clear that Republicans “will have to find some compromise with Democrats” on several key issues, including DACA— the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals— before the courts terminate the program and put Dreamers on a path to deportation. With DACA hanging by a judicial thread, it's now or never for Dreamers, and the only solution is legislation this year. 

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06 nov 2022

Data to Disrupt’s Top Ten Data Hits 

1. Crazy in "love" with immigration

This cycle, the GOP has been pushing anti-immigrant themes to energize their base, and it’s notably top of mind for them but not for the majority of voters. 

2. Don’t you know that you’re toxic?

The Immigration Hub tested a “Citizens for Sanity” ad on crime & immigration with battleground voters. It rallied the GOP troops: rural, ultra conservative and Trump voters. Stephen Miller’s group has spent $51 million+. But here’s the kicker: it created a backlash with key voters.

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28 OCT 2022

Biden Administration Must Extend Protections for TPS Holders from Nepal, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua 

WASHINGTON, DC - The Los Angeles Times reported this week that settlement talks between the Biden administration and plaintiffs in Ramos v. Mayorkas collapsed, leaving more than 250,000 TPS beneficiaries from Nepal, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua at risk of deportation. TPS families sued the Trump administration in 2018 after it revoked protections for individuals from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Nepal and Honduras. Since, the Biden administration has redesignated status for Haiti and Sudan, but the future of TPS holders from Nepal, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua hangs in the balance. Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“We are profoundly disappointed by the news that settlement talks between the Biden administration and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) families in the Ramos case have come to an end. The Trump administration's racially-motivated decision to terminate TPS for the more than 250,000 TPS beneficiaries from Nepal, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua inflicted irreparable damages and great injustice to these nationals. They deserve better.

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27 OCT 2022

Data to Disrupt: Top 5 ICYMIs and Updates in the Final Stretch

1. “Immigration makes America, America” — the people think so, too

In last night’s debate, Democratic candidate for Senate John Fetterman reminded voters of what brought his family together and what makes America, America: immigration. His messaging speaks to where voters in Pennsylvania stand on the issue despite consistent attacks from Dr. Oz and right-wing extremists. 

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26 OCT 2022

ICYMI: Miami Herald Disqualifies Ron DeSantis for Using Venezuelan Migrants as “Pawns,” Endorses Charlie Crist as “Best Choice” 

WASHINGTON, DC - The Miami Herald endorsed Charlie Crist for Florida governor this week, calling Ron DeSantis' Florida “a place of meanness.” The Herald highlights how DeSantis' first term in office has been defined by “self-aggrandizing publicity” stunts, “made-for-Fox-News grandstanding” to exploit the politics of division for his own gain. Specifically, calling attention to DeSantis’ willingness to upend the lives of vulnerable Venezuelan migrants as “pawns'' to quench his “thirst for attention.”

While the Herald denounces DeSantis for failing to help Floridians, the Herald hails Crist for being a “seasoned, smart and reasonable” politician who has detailed plans to tackle the most pressing issues for Floridians from the affordable-housing crisis to reproductive justice to law and order and the environment. Crist has also been a staunch advocate for immigration reform policies, including delivering a path to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, farm workers and undocumented immigrants, and ensuring unaccompanied immigrant children are reunited with their families.

The Herald to Florida voters: “Charlie Crist is the best choice. He'll work to unite us -- Democrats, Republicans and independents alike. He's what Florida needs -- now.”

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21 OCT 2022

Immigration Hub Applauds the Biden-Harris Administration Move to Designate TPS to Ethiopia

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, providing stability to over 27,000 people in response to an increasingly worsening humanitarian crisis taking place in Ethiopia brought on by a combination of armed conflict, climate shocks, disease outbreaks and the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“We applaud the Biden administration, in particular DHS Secretary Mayorkas, for designating Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which will provide safety and security to thousands of Ethiopians in the United States. TPS exists to ensure the nationals of a country in crisis are provided safe harbor and given Ethiopia finds itself in an escalating, precarious and dangerous situation that merits protection now— the designation of TPS for Ethiopia will save lives. 

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21 OCT 2022

Data to Disrupt: How to Effectively Tie Immigration to the Economy 

1. New Data: Yes, You Can Message on the Economy and Immigration

The Winning Jobs Narrative (WJN) Project released the results of a new message test where the WJN architecture was employed to frame immigration. In case you may have missed our earlier piece, the WJN Project provides a “blueprint for successful messaging on issues relating to jobs and the economy.” 

Here are some of the key findings:

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13 OCT 2022

Data to Disrupt: Beyond Abortion, the GOP is Still Turning Off Women

1. Battleground PA: What happens when voters learn about GOP candidates’ stance on immigration?

Survey says: voters are willing to drop their vote for Republican candidates’ position on immigration. 

New proof points. Tests conducted this month by BlueLabs Analytics and Swayable, respectively, found that – much like the GOP’s extremism on abortion – exposing Republican candidates’ extreme, anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric can successfully shut their opponent down and win favorability among critical blocs of voters.

Dr. Oz turns off women… and other key voters

BlueLabs Analytics surveyed swing and persuadable voters in Pennsylvania who were shown both an ad by the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), attacking Democratic candidate John Fetterman’s record on crime and sanctuary cities, and another ad (Dr. Oz Doesn’t Represent Us) where an Army veteran discusses the importance of immigrants to Pennsylvania and condemns GOP candidate Dr. Oz and his party’s attacks on immigrants. 

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12 OCT 2022

Hub Highlights: Advocates and Florida Latino Leaders Continue to Mount Push Against DeSantis and GOP For Cruel Political Stunt

WASHINGTON, DC - Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R-FL) recent stunt to lie, lure, and ship Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard continues to be met with stiff resistance, particularly in the sunshine state, as groups organized immediately to denounce his action. New series of attack ads against DeSantis and Republicans are holding them accountable for the governor’s cruel political stunts against asylum-seeking families. 

FLIC Votes Launches Six-Figure Ad Campaign Against DeSantis

The Florida-based immigration advocacy group, Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) Votes launched a six-figure bilingual digital ad campaign last week featuring two ads slamming DeSantis for his dangerous and extreme anti-immigrant record, criticizing him for his most recent stunt. 

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11 OCT 2022

Senators Dick Durbin and Bob Menendez, United We Dream Action, Labor and Faith Leaders Urge Republicans to Work with Democrats on a Permanent Solution for Dreamers

Full recording of the press call is available here.

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a leading immigration advocate and author of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, and United We Dream Action along with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) hosted a joint press call denouncing the 5th Circuit Court’s decision finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unlawful and sending the case back to Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas, who has repeatedly ruled against DACA and similar programs, putting the lives of Dreamers across the country in limbo. During the call, the leaders called upon Republicans in Congress to work with Democrats this year to pass permanent protections for immigrant youth. 

The reality is that without legislation, DACA recipients are likely to lose their temporary status and work permits, subjecting them to losing their jobs and, even worse, the possibility of detention and deportation. DACA has long been one of the most successful and popular immigration programs among battleground voters, Latinos, and swing voters, allowing over 830,000 young people to live and work without an immediate fear of deportation. Senate Democrats have repeatedly called for permanent legal protections for DACA recipients. With the program still on the chopping block, the call underscored the need for Republicans to step up now and work with Democrats on a bipartisan solution for Dreamers. 

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10 OCT 2022

Data Shows Ending DACA, Deporting Dreamers is a Political Loser for Republicans

Voters Moved By Policies to Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC – The Republican Party has repeatedly made it clear that they will continue to use immigration and the border to attack President Biden and Democrats this election cycle. Now, with the recent ruling by the conservative 5th circuit jeopardizing the future of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and putting Dreamers on a potential path to deportation, the Republican party’s threats to end DACA indefinitely can materialize should they take the majority in Congress. Democrats have an opportunity to hold them accountable on the campaign trail and secure votes among critical independent and Latino voters. 

“One of the worst miscalculations that MAGA Republicans have made is believing that American voters, including conservatives, want to terminate DACA and disrupt the lives of Dreamers,” stated Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer for the Immigration Hub. “In repeated public opinion polling and testing of political advertising, we find that voters across the political spectrum cannot stomach a politician who is not supporting or fighting for a solution to protect Dreamers from deportation. Simply, Republicans who have promised to end DACA have written their own three billboards of malpractice. Both Democrats in Congress and candidates on the trail should hold them to account and secure critical votes while working to deliver for Dreamers before the conservative courts, once again, deliberate against the will of the people.”

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07 OCT 2022

Press Call: With DACA Under Attack, Senators Durbin and Menendez; Immigration Advocates Urge Republicans to work with Democrats on a Permanent Solution for Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC - On Tuesday, October 11th at 9:45 AM EST, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, United We Dream Action, and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a leading immigration advocate and author of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 along with the SEIU will host a joint press call to denounce the 5th Circuit Court’s decision finding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unlawful and sending the case back to Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas, who has repeatedly ruled against DACA and similar programs, putting the lives of Dreamers across the country in limbo. They will also call upon Republicans in Congress to work with Democrats this year to pass permanent protections for immigrant youth. 

The reality is that without legislation, DACA recipients are likely to lose their temporary status and work permits, subjecting them to losing their jobs and, even worse, the possibility of detention and deportation. DACA has long been one of the most successful and popular immigration programs, allowing over 830,000 young people to live and work without an immediate fear of deportation. Senate Democrats have repeatedly called for permanent legal protections for DACA recipients. With the program still on the chopping block, the call will underscore the need for Republicans to step up now and work with Democrats on a bipartisan solution for Dreamers. 

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06 OCT 2022

Rep. Aguilar, United We Dream Action, Immigration Hub, FWD.us and Justice Action Center Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers After 5th Circuit Court Rules DACA Illegal 

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, U.S. Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA), United We Dream Action, Immigration Hub, FWD.us, and Justice Action Center held a press call to denounce the 5th Circuit Court’s decision and to urge Congress to create permanent protections for Dreamers across the country.

DACA temporarily remains in place, but the Fifth Circuit remanded the case back to Judge Hanen, who has repeatedly ruled against DACA and similar programs. And most experts expect the Supreme Court to deliver a death blow to DACA next year. The majority of voters want to see DACA codified by Congress after the 5th Circuit Court’s decision. In a recent poll by the Immigration Hub and SEIU, 65% of battleground voters favored Congress passing legislation that prevents the deportation of Dreamers if DACA is overturned. 

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06 OCT 2022

Press Call: Rep. Pete Aguilar Joins DACA Recipients and Immigration Advocates to Underscore Urgency for Congressional Action on Citizenship Now 

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, United We Dream Action, Immigration Hub, FWD.us, and Justice Action Center will host a press call today, October 6 at 2:30 PM EST to urge Congress to pass permanent protections to protect immigrant youth. Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a leader on immigration within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, will be one of the speakers.

DACA temporarily remains in place but the Fifth Circuit remanded the case back to Judge Hanen. Judge Hanen, who has repeatedly ruled against DACA and similar programs, could decide imminently to terminate the program and most experts expect the Supreme Court to deliver a death blow to DACA next year.  

The reality is that without legislation by the end of the year, DACA recipients are likely to lose their temporary status and work permits, subjecting them to losing their jobs and even worse the possibility of detention and deportation. With the program still on the chopping block, the experts and advocates on the call will underscore the need for Congress to step up now and pass permanent legislation.

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05 OCT 2022

Immigration Hub Calls on Congress to Permanently Protect Dreamers 

Gonzales: “The good news is that those currently with DACA will continue to live and work under the protections of the program. The bad news is that DACA is hanging by a thread.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in Texas v. United States, the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful. DACA currently protects 610,000 young immigrants who are American in all but paperwork.

The program will temporarily continue while the case is considered again by Judge Hanen of Texas— who has repeatedly ruled against DACA and similar programs. The Fifth Circuit remanded the case back to Judge Hanen to determine if the new DACA regulation that was recently issued by the Biden administration is unlawful. Judge Hanen could decide imminently to terminate the DACA program.

The legal machinations should not obscure the reality: without legislation by the end of the year, sometime next year DACA recipients are likely to lose their temporary status and work permits, subjecting them to deportation. With the program on the chopping block, Congress must step up now. The majority of voters agree. Fully 65% of battleground voters say that Congress should act to protect Dreamers if a federal court overturns the DACA program.

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05 OCT 2022

Data to Disrupt: Is DeSantis’s Gambit a Checkmate Against Democrats?

1. Court jesters’ gambit: DeSantis and Rubio’s immigration schemes backfire with key voters

The Republican Party has been repeatedly telling the media and Democrats that immigration and the border are their midterm messaging weapon of choice. And we’ve been telling you, believe them AND respond. It’s no surprise that Gov. DeSantis pulled the Martha’s Vineyard stunt to rile up his base and stir up a media frenzy. His ploy backfired – not only in the Massachusetts island and with voters at large, but with critical Florida voters.

Swayable, a data platform that measures the impact of ads among registered voters, tested a new FLIC Votes ad launched yesterday against the governor’s use of taxpayer dollars on the migrant flights. 

  • Overall, the ad increased unfavorability against DeSantis by 7 points among Florida voters. In fact, 55% of voters said that if the election were held today, they would vote for Democratic candidate Charlie Crist.

  • Among Independents, more than half (52%) opted for Crist.

  • Latino voters also shifted their vote to Crist by 9 points after viewing the ad, from 49% to 58%.

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05 OCT 2022

ICYMI: The Hill: Florida immigrant group hits DeSantis over migrant flights

New Civiqs poll “found that 65 percent of Hispanic voters say the migrant relocations by Florida and Texas are “political stunts.”

WASHINGTON, DC –  Following Ron DeSantis’ recent stunt to lie, lure, and ship Venenzulean migrants to Martha's Vineyard, yesterday, the Florida-based immigration advocacy group, FLIC Votes, launched a six-figure bilingual digital ad campaign featuring two ads slamming Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL). According to The Hill, one of the ads hits DeSantis for “chartering planes to fly migrants from Texas to sanctuary jurisdictions, and the other criticizes the Florida governor for reducing temporary care for unaccompanied migrant children.” The ads will reach Florida voters across Central and South Florida starting on October 4th. 

The Hill also covered a new national survey by the Immigration Hub finding that 65 percent of Hispanic voters believe that the migrant relocations by Governors DeSantis and Abbott are “political stunts.” The poll further revealed that 63 percent of all Americans say people who flee authoritarian or communist countries should be allowed to request protection in the United States. More on the Immigration Hub’s recent survey can be found here

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04 OCT 2022

FWD: FLIC Votes Launches Six-Figure Bilingual Digital Ad Campaign Hitting Ron DeSantis for His Cruel and Extreme Anti-Immigration Record

Ads Attack DeSantis for Policies that Encouraged Family Separation and Recent Migrant Flight Stunt 

Today, the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) Votes launched a six-figure bilingual digital ad campaign featuring two ads slamming Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL). 

“Deceived” calls out Governor DeSantis for using immigrant children and families fleeing Maduro’s communist regime as political pawns, lying, luring and shipping them off to Martha’s Vineyard with false promises of work and housing. “Valores” features Norah Lossada, a Venezuelan-American and Floridian, denouncing DeSantis for directing the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to stop providing temporary care for unaccompanied children who enter the U.S. without their parents, ultimately delaying family reunification. The ads will reach Florida voters across Central and South Florida starting on October 4th. 

FLIC Vote’s latest ad campaign against DeSantis is part of the organization’s multi-prong campaign against DeSantis and Republicans in the state, which includes GOTV to turnout Latino voters in the state. 

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04 OCT 2022

New Poll: Majority of Americans Support Asylum for Venezuelans, Latinos Say GOP Governors Are Pulling a Political Stunt Ahead of the Midterms  

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, the Immigration Hub released the results of a new national survey, conducted by Civiqs, surveying registered voters across the country. The survey finds that a majority of Americans (63%), across party lines, believe that people who are fleeing Venezuela and other communist regimes should be allowed to legally request protection. The survey also found that a plurality of Hispanic voters (65%) believe that Governors Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Greg Abbott (R-TX) are pulling a political stunt by flying and bussing migrants across the country ahead of the November elections.

In Florida, Governor DeSantis’ continues to face backlash for his latest political stunt to lie, lure, and ship off dozens of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard. Republicans across the country continue to distance themselves from DeSantis and some have denounced the governor for wasting money on a frivolous political stunt. In his own state, DeSantis is also facing a lawsuit from state legislators who say he mishandled taxpayer money and Democrats in the legislature are asking the Department of Justice to investigate the governor’s administration for using “deception and coercion” to transport Venezuelan migrants and their children. 

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27 SEP 2022

ICYMI: Former White House Senior Advisor for Migration Slams Republican Stunts

WASHINGTON, DC –  Yesterday, Tyler Moran, President Biden’s former senior advisor for migration, appeared on MSNBC’s “SYMONE” with host Symone Sanders to discuss the cruel stunts pulled by Governors DeSantis and Abbott that used immigrant lives as political pawns. 

“[Republicans] say they want to move towards solutions, but they are really just interested in political stunts when it comes to immigration,” Tyler Moran said. “You know what’s going on? Republicans don’t want to talk about abortion. They don’t want to talk about falling gas prices. They don’t want to talk about the package that just passed overwhelmingly on climate change. What do they want to talk about? Immigration. They’ve done this before; they did this in 2018 where they tried to manufacture a caravan and they had the biggest losses in the midterms in decades… What Greg Abbott and DeSantis are doing is creating chaos.” 

Watch the segment here.

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22 SEP 2022

Days After GOP Used Venezuelan Migrants as Political Pawns, House Republicans Double Down on Extreme Immigration Agenda 

WASHINGTON, DC - As polls continue to paint a grimmer picture for Republicans this November, GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy and Elise Stefanik are unveiling a new plan full of failed “Trump-era border restrictions” and doubling down on their anti-immigrant agenda. With their new “Commitment to America” plan, they are setting the tone for GOP candidates on the ballot: terrorize immigrant communities, weaponize immigration to divide and scare voters and embrace inhumane Trump-era policies to score political points with the fringe right. 

Determined to march in lockstep with GOP Governors’ political stunts, all in an attempt to rally their MAGA base and distract voters from their highly unpopular position to criminalize a woman’s right to choose, the GOP is once again mistakenly using the same nativist and anti-immigrant playbook that cost them the House in 2018 and 2020.

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17 SEP 2022

Hub Highlights: Florida Elected Officials and Advocates Call out GOP Political Plane and Bus Stunts For What It They Are: “Disgusting,” “Distraction,” “Political Theater”

WASHINGTON, DC - Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chartered planes at taxpayer expense to transport migrants, including many Venezuelan refugees to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts on Wednesday. Less than 55 days until election day, the polls paint a grimmer picture each passing day for Republicans. In response, Governors DeSantis (R-FL) and Abbott (R-TX) are pulling ugly and cruel stunts, like sending asylum seekers to the Vice President’s residence, to politicize immigration and distract voters from their lack of solutions on the top issues. The truth is that this strategy is to evade talking about things like DACA – which is under threat because of GOP litigation –  abortion, gun violence, climate change, and health care, will only backfire with Americans who want solutions

Republicans are focused on creating chaos as they did under Trump with policies like family separation, and dehumanizing migrants fleeing political violence and poverty. In many cases, DeSantis and other Republican governors are misleading people about where they are going and providing no advance notice to local governments to prepare for their arrival but elected officials and advocates see right through their misguided priorities and are calling it out for what it is, a political stunt.

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12 SEP 2022

Data to Disrupt: *New* Battleground Poll: Democrats Can Counter GOP Attacks

1. Democrats can counter GOP attacks on the border by going on offense

With under two months until the midterm and Republicans’ midterm prospects dwindling as a result of backlash on the Roe decision and concerns about MAGA extremism, the GOP is now more desperate than ever to distract voters with anti-immigrant attacks. Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is leading the effort and encouraging the GOP to double-down on three main attack lines on immigration: open borders, fentanyl, and ‘invasion.”

If these Republicans’ nativist attacks are left unanswered, they can gain traction with voters. But a new poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research on behalf of the Immigration Hub and SEIU, demonstrates that Democrats can win voters by uplifting popular solutions like citizenship for undocumented communities like Dreamers and exposing Republican vulnerabilities on immigration — especially GOP support for policies that try to separate families and deport immigrants living here.

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09 SEP 2022

ICYMI: Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Voters Back Dreamers; Path to Citizenship for the Undocumented

WASHINGTON, DC –  As the midterm elections approach, a new battleground poll by the Immigration Hub and SEIU, reveals that a majority of voters, including Pennsylvania voters, strongly support Dreamers and reject Republicans’ extreme and dangerous anti-immigrant agenda. 

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman had a resounding primary victory— markedly leaning into values-based immigration messaging throughout a campaign that won all 67 PA counties— but Republican Party candidates in PA have chosen to represent the most extreme, anti-immigrant positions that echo fringe, white nationalist ideologies. In a recently revealed recording, GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano stated that Dreamers need to be “disqualified from citizenship” and “need to go back home.” Trump-endorsed Senate candidate Mehmet Oz continues to fear monger over the border, while peddling dangerous and divisive policies. 

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08 SEP 2022

Biden Administration Reverses Discriminatory Trump Era Public Charge Regulation 

WASHINGTON, DC - The Biden-Harris Administration has published regulations reversing the Trump-era ‘public charge rule— one of the most racist and abusive anti-immigrant policies introduced by the Trump Administration to weaponize basic needs and deny health care and food to U.S. citizen children and families that needed it the most. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that provides clarity on application of ‘public charge’ laws to noncitizens seeking to immigrate to the U.S.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“We applaud the reversal of this horrendous Trump era policy that hurt immigrant children and families, and was one of the most racist and cruel immigration policies established by the Trump administration.

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05 SEP 2022

This Labor Day, Immigration Hub Honors Unions and Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement on Labor Day:  

“On Labor Day, our nation celebrates all hard-working Americans, including immigrant workers, who are the backbone of our economy. We also take this day to recognize the role labor unions have played to deliver critical protections for American workers so that families can continue to pursue the American Dream. 

“We thank our partners in the labor movement for standing in solidarity with immigrant workers in the fight to build a humane and fair immigration system that represents the needs and interests of all working people. They understand that a path to citizenship for our nation’s undocumented immigrants would improve wages and working conditions for all Americans. Far too many immigrant workers remain vulnerable to workplace abuse and we must continue to fight for fairer working conditions that increase safety and economic security for all. 

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03 SEP 2022

Led by Trump, Oz and Mastriano Represent An Extreme and Dangerous Immigration Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in reaction to former President Trump holding a rally in Pennsylvania alongside GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano and GOP Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

Trump’s legacy is one of tearing children away from their parents, enacting cruel and inhumane immigration policies and creating chaos at our southern border. It’s no wonder Doug Mastriano and Mehmet Oz embraced him with open arms today.

“As the leading GOP candidates in Pennsylvania, Mastriano and Oz are advancing an extreme agenda that puts our nation’s Dreamers on a path to deportation, amplifies white nationalist talking points, and divides our communities – but it’s also an agenda that Pennsylvania voters have rejected before. Trump was a one-term President in large part because Americans, including Pennsylvania voters, were repulsed by his vitriol against immigrants and human rights violations at the border. In fact, half of Trump’s supporters who switched to Biden in 2020 cited Trump’s immigration policies as more of a reason to vote against him. 

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26 AUG 2022

ICYMI: NEW POLLING: Majority of Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers

WASHINGTON, DC – As President Biden finalized a rule to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released new polling in partnership with Hart Research and BSP Research showing that the majority of battleground state voters want Congress to grant relief to DACA recipients if the program is struck down in court. As we approach a 5th Circuit Court decision that could lead to the end of the program as we know it, voters across the country agree that we need to protect Dreamers. 

The poll revealed strong support for pro-immigrant policies such as citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. The majority of voters also support efforts to modernize our legal immigration system, buttressing the case for Congress to take common sense action to reduce America’s green card backlog. 

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25 AUG 2022

Round Up: Led by Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, and Rick Scott, Florida GOP Politicians Represent an Extreme, Dangerous Immigration Agenda 

New battleground poll finds Republican attacks have not decreased voter support for pro-immigrant solutions

WASHINGTON, DC -​​ The Florida primary elections results are in and it’s clear that Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are setting the tone for GOP candidates on the ballot: run on ending DACA, weaponize immigration to scare voters and embrace inhumane Trump-era policies to score political points with the fringe right. 

One look at the social media accounts, advertisements and statements of Republicans down the ballot in Florida shows that they have all fallen in line with the strategy to peddle dangerous and divisive policies that echo cruel, extreme and failed Trump policies that target immigrant children and communities. In fact, Republicans running for office across the country have already deployed more than 850 anti-immigrant ads54 ads were by Florida GOP candidates.

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25 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Senator Bennet Offers Model of How to Lead on Immigration 

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states, including Colorado. The poll revealed strong support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. The majority of voters also support efforts to modernize our legal immigration system, buttressing the case for Congress to take common sense action to reduce America’s green card backlog. 

The poll also found it critically important for Democrats to follow the example of leaders like Senator Bennet (D-CO), and counter GOP attacks by going on the offensive and supporting popular common sense immigration policies such as reforming our outdated visa system, guaranteeing important worker protections, creating a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, including our nation’s Dreamers and farm workers. Additionally, Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper worked with Bennet to keep “poison pill” anti-immigrant amendments out of the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring the final bill helps working families by lowering energy and health care costs. 

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25 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Pennsylvania Democratic Candidates Must Counter GOP Anti-Immigration Attacks Ahead of Midterms

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

Washington, DC — Yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states, including Pennsylvania. The poll revealed support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. By similar strong margins, battleground voters oppose extreme anti-immigrant positions being championed by GOP candidates. The poll also found it critically important for Pennsylvania Democrats to counter GOP attacks by going on the offense and exploiting Republican vulnerabilities on immigration including their support for policies that try to separate families and deport settled immigrants.

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25 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Arizona Democratic Candidates Must Counter GOP Anti-Immigration Attacks Ahead of Midterms

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

Washington, DC — Yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states, including Arizona. The poll revealed support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. By similar strong margins, battleground voters oppose extreme anti-immigrant positions being championed by GOP candidates. The poll also found it critically important for Arizona Democrats to counter GOP attacks by going on the offense and exploiting Republican vulnerabilities on immigration including their support for policies that try to separate families and deport settled immigrants. 

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25 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Nevada Democratic Candidates Must Counter GOP Anti-Immigration Attacks Ahead of Midterms

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

Washington, DC — Yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states, including Nevada. The poll revealed support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. By similar strong margins, battleground voters oppose extreme anti-immigrant positions being championed by GOP candidates. The poll also found it critically important for Nevada Democrats to counter GOP attacks by going on the offense and exploiting Republican vulnerabilities on immigration including their support for policies that try to separate families and deport settled immigrants. 

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25 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Florida Democratic Candidates Must Counter GOP Anti-Immigration Attacks Ahead of Midterms

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

Washington, DC — Yesterday, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states, including Florida. The poll revealed support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. By similar strong margins, battleground voters oppose extreme anti-immigrant positions being championed by GOP candidates. The poll also found it critically important for Florida Democrats to counter GOP attacks by going on the offense and exploiting Republican vulnerabilities on immigration including their support for policies that try to separate families and deport settled immigrants.

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24 AUG 2022

Biden-Harris Administration Moves to Protect DACA, Congress Must Permanently Protect Dreamers and Undocumented Families

WASHINGTON, DC - The Biden-Harris administration announced a new regulation to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has protected more than 830,000 young people from deportation, allowing them to work, study, and contribute fully to American society. Dreamers have not only thrived in their personal lives, but have also proved essential to the economy with more than three-quarters of DACA recipients in the workforce— 343,000— contributing to the country’s essential workforce during the pandemic. While Republican politicians have repeatedly attempted to end the program through court challenges— most recently through a 5th Circuit Court lawsuit— the majority of the American public support a path to citizenship for our nation’s Dreamers. 

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24 AUG 2022

New Poll: Battleground Voters Want Congress to Protect Dreamers, Latinos Reject Extremism, Democrats Can Counter GOP Anti-Immigration Attacks Ahead of Midterms

Following the Biden-Harris Administration’s move to preserve DACA with a looming 5th circuit decision that could end it, new poll finds strong support for the program

Washington, DC — Today, the Immigration Hub and SEIU released the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Hart Research and BSP Research surveying voters in nine states including Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina and New Hampshire. The poll revealed support for pro-immigrant policies such as protecting Dreamers and providing a path to citizenship for farm workers and undocumented immigrants more broadly. Most voters also support efforts to modernize our legal immigration system, buttressing the case for Congress to take common sense action to reduce America’s green card backlog. By similar strong margins, battleground voters oppose extreme anti-immigrant positions being championed by GOP candidates. The poll also found it critically important for Democrats to counter GOP attacks by going on the offense and exploiting Republican vulnerabilities on immigration, including their support for policies that try to separate families and deport settled immigrants. 

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19 AUG 2022

Data to Disrupt: Arizona Republicans chose extremism — but pushing back can help Democrats win

1. Battleground spotlight: Arizona extremists rise to the top 

Arizona Republicans chose a slate of far-right conspiracy theorists in their primary elections, including many who made white nationalist conspiracy theories and attacks on democracy the anchor of their electoral message. At the top of the ticket is Blake Masters, who won his primary by denying the results of the 2020 election, peddling transphobic dog-whistles, and echoing dangerous white nationalist conspiracies of “an invasion.”

Latino Voters Reject Xenophobia and Extremism: Despite Masters’ victory in the GOP primary, the general election is a whole different ballgame.  As the New York Times’ Jennifer Medina warns, the white nationalist, anti-immigrant rhetoric from Masters and other Arizona Republicans “could repel Latinos in the state” and “damage'' the GOP’s path to victory in a state where the Latino voting block determines the winner. A major new national poll of Hispanic voters from UnidosUS and Mi Familia Vota Education Fund found: 

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15 AUG 2022

Immigration Hub Calls on Congress to Permanently Protect Dreamers and Undocumented Families on the 10th Anniversary of DACA Implementation

WASHINGTON, DC - Ten years ago today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Obama administration announced the creation of DACA on June 15, 2012 and USCIS moved swiftly to implement the program. Since its creation, the DACA program has protected more than 830,000 young people from deportation, allowing them to work, study, and contribute fully to American society. Dreamers have not only thrived in their personal lives, but have also proved essential to the economy with more than three-quarters of DACA recipients— 343,000— making up the country’s essential workforce during the pandemic. While Republican elected officials have repeatedly attempted to end the program through court challenges— most recently through a 5th Circuit Court lawsuit — the majority of the American public support a path to citizenship for our nation’s Dreamers. 

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07 AUG 2022

Immigration Hub’s Gonzales on the Passage of Inflation Reduction Act: “Our work is not done.”

WASHINGTON, DC - After the conclusion of vote-a-rama and Senate Democrats’ vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:  

Today, Senate Democrats and not a single Republican Senator voted to pass a historic package that will lower healthcare costs for families and take action to address our climate crisis. As the country grapples with record heat waves, severe flooding, and rising temperatures as a result of climate change and millions of families still lack access to quality healthcare and struggle with rising cost of prescription drugs, there is no doubt Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act is badly needed.

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07 AUG 2022

Senate Democrats Vote Down GOP Amendment to End Asylum

WASHINGTON, DC - Tonight, Senate Democrats voted against Senator Lankford’s amendment to extend Title 42, an amendment that would indefinitely end asylum for families and children seeking safety. The rejection of the GOP’s amendment comes after a coalition of nearly 300 faith, civil rights, labor and immigration organizations urged Senators to vote NO on poison-pill amendments that would jeopardize the reconciliation bill. 

In response, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:  

Today, Senate Democrats stood up to a Republican Party determined to end legal immigration and end refugee protections for those applying for asylum. Democrats sent a resounding message to all Americans that our nation is committed to a more fair and humane immigration system that ensures those seeking freedom and safety are given a fair process to come to this country.

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06 AUG 2022

Immigration, Civil Rights, Latino and Faith Organizations Urge Senators to Reject Poison Pill Amendments Attached to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the past week, hundreds of organizations, representing many constituencies, along with a coalition of over 55 national faith-based organizations have called on Senators to oppose anti-immigrant amendments during the reconciliation vote-a-rama process. Senate Republicans are expected to propose amendments that target immigrant communities and derail the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Earlier this week, Senator Bob Menendez urged “all Democrats to stand firm and united against Republican amendments that would hurt immigrant families.

Nearly 300 organizations also signed a letter urging Senators to vote NO on poison pill amendments, as reported by Punchbowl. The groups specifically asked Senators to oppose amendments that attempt to harm the health, education, or economic well-being of immigrants, further militarize the border, and end asylum at the border. 

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05 AUG 2022

Senator Padilla and Latino Leaders Call Upon Senators to Deliver for American Families and Vote NO on Poison Pill Amendments

Click here for recording of the call

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Latino leaders held a press briefing to urge Senators to vote NO on poison pill, anti-immigrant amendments that would jeopardize the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The Senate is set to vote this weekend on this reconciliation package that would address inflation, combat climate change, and bring down skyrocketing healthcare costs. On the call, Senator Padilla and Latino leaders alike called on Republicans to stop playing political games and deliver on critical relief for families.

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04 AUG 2022

Press Call: Senator Padilla, Latino Leaders Urge Democrats to Reject Republicans’ Anti-Immigrant Amendments, Focus on Delivering Critical Relief for Families

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Latino leaders will hold a press briefing tomorrow, August 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET to urge Senators to vote NO on poison pill, anti-immigrant amendments that would jeopardize the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. 

The Senate is set to vote on legislation that would address inflation, combat climate change and bring down skyrocketing healthcare costs after announcing a breakthrough deal on this historic legislation last week. Just like they have done repeatedly, Republicans are now determined to derail this critical bill by offering up anti-immigrant amendments that would harm hard-working people. Earlier this week, a coalition of nearly 300 organizations, representing various constituencies, urgedSenators to reject the GOP’s extreme anti-immigrant policies and focus on delivering a legislative solution that will empower all hardworking families. On the call, Senator Padilla and Latino leaders alike will call on Republicans to stop playing political games and deliver on critical relief for families.

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03 AUG 2022

Immigration Hub on Third Anniversary of the El Paso Shooting

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas:

“Three years ago, our nation was devastated by a targeted, hate-fueled act of violence that stole the lives of 23 innocent people in El Paso in what became the deadliest anti-Latino attack in modern U.S history. As we mourn with the community of El Paso and honor the victims and survivors, we also come to the somber realization that the extreme, hateful, anti-immigrant and anti-Latino rhetoric that fueled this senseless act of violence is now fully embraced by today’s Republican Party. 

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02 AUG 2022

286 Groups Demand Congress Reject Poison Pill Anti-Immigrant Amendments, Deliver For Families Through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as reported by Punchbowl, a coalition of 286 organizations, representing many constituencies, urged Senators to vote NO on poison pill, anti-immigrant amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The letter asks Senators to focus on delivering relief to working Americans rather than helping advance the GOP’s extreme anti-immigrant agenda that would end asylum indefinitely, attack immigrant communities, and “sink” Democrats’ plan to lower costs for families and fight climate change. 

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01 AUG 2022

Senate Democrats Must Reject GOP’s Extreme Anti-Immigrant Agenda, Focus on Delivering Historic Package to Uplift American Families 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, new reporting by the Washington Post revealed that Senate Republicans are gearing up to introduce extreme anti-immigrant, poison-pills amendments to derail Senate Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, a historic deal that would deliver lower energy costs, make healthcare more affordable for millions of families and help combat climate change. Senator Bob Menendez is now urging Democrats to unite against all poison pill amendments, calling on “all Democrats to stand firm and united against Republican amendments that would hurt immigrant families.”

In response to the Republicans’ plan to put Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act at risk, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:  

“Just as Democrats are about to deliver critical relief that will lower healthcare and energy costs for millions of families and take on climate change, Republicans are determined to push anti-immigrant amendments meant to tank this important piece of legislation – but Democrats must stay united against these political ploys. 

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22 JUL 2022

Supreme Court Allows Texas to Dictate Nationwide Immigration Enforcement for DHS

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to reject the Biden Administration’s bid to terminate a nationwide injunction against implementation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prosecutorial discretion guidelines. In September, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued guidelines to focus its limited resources on the noncitizens who pose the gravest threat to national security and public safety. The policy was also an effort by the Administration to undo Trump’s cruel approach to immigration enforcement that threatened many families with the risk of separation, detention, and deportation. 

Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“All law enforcement agencies use prosecutorial discretion to ensure that their limited resources are used effectively for the most serious threats to public safety. Immigration law enforcement is controlled by the federal government and the state of Texas should not be permitted to play politics with our immigration system by continually imposing its will on the rest of the nation through right-wing Texas judges and misguided policies.

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19 JUL 2022

Immigration Hub Joins 155 Groups To Urge DHS to Ensure SCOTUS Dobbs Decision Has No Impact on Immigration Enforcement 

Washington, DC - In light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, today, 156 immigration, criminal justice, and civil rights organizations sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging the agency to immediately issue clear guidance to prevent the Dobbs decision from adding another layer of danger for noncitizens who have the right to exercise control over their bodies and their reproductive futures and people who help them seek the same freedom. 

“The Supreme Court’s devastating decision is the culmination of a decades’ long campaign by Republicans to restrict critical reproductive health care access for women and families, and now it could have more dire, far-reaching consequences,” said Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub. “The decision puts immigrant women at risk of deportation as states across the country rush to criminalize abortions. President Biden has already taken steps to protect the rights and health of most women seeking abortions, but the administration must go a step further by protecting everyone, regardless of immigration status. He must make it clear that DHS will not bar from immigration relief nor take any enforcement action against people who may be arrested for or convicted of abortion care-related violations. His administration must also ensure abortion care for those detained in states where it is banned and those seeking to travel across the border for these sensitive and urgent health care services. President Biden made a promise to do everything in his power to protect reproductive freedom, and we call on him to stay consistent across the board.”

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14 JUL 2022

With New ICE Guidelines, Biden Continues to Promote Family Unity in Our Immigration System 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued new guidelines to ensure that children and incapacitated adults may remain with their parents and caretakers while in removal proceedings. This includes efforts to quickly identify parents during enforcement actions, protect the parental rights of non-citizen parents and those caring for people with disabilities as well as ensuring that children have access to their detained parents. The administration also announced that deported parents may return to the U.S. through parole in cases where the parent’s participation in a family custody hearing is required. Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“From day one, the Biden-Harris administration has worked to transform the cruel and arbitrary enforcement priorities imposed under Trump. Today’s policy is another step toward a more humane immigration system that keeps families together and prevents the separation of children, including U.S. citizens, from their parents during detention and removal. As Republicans in Congress and currently running for office continue to campaign on building a wall, maintaining cruel policies that tear families apart, and ending valuable and essential programs, such as DACA, the Biden administration is moving forward to ensure that the family separations that we witnessed before never happen again. The stakes are high this year — there is no room to return to an ugly and egregious system where the safety and livelihoods of immigrant families are jeopardized. Simply put, President Biden has made the right move.” 

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14 JUL 2022

Data to Disrupt: What makes a NV voter disqualify a GOP candidate and the dangerous mainstreaming of the “invasion” message

1. Battleground spotlight: Disqualifying Nevada’s Republican candidates

The Washington Post’s David Byler pointed out on Monday that Latinos in Nevada are a vital voting bloc to win statewide seats — and are Democrats’ “biggest vulnerability.” But, as we found in Nevada, immigration can be a game-changer.

The GOP’s top candidates in Nevada for Governor and Senate — Sheriff Joe Lombardo and Adam Laxalt — are both supporting the most unpopular position on immigration: end DACA, deport Dreamers.

“Our messaging data shows that their anti-DACA and overall anti-immigrant stances are disqualifying for the majority of Nevada voters, specifically independents, undecideds and Latino voters,” said Melissa Morales, head of Somos PAC, which has been actively campaigning in Nevada to galvanize voters against the Republican candidates. “In fact, for the majority of voters who don’t know enough about Laxalt, they found his anti-DACA position to be of most concern and ultimately moving against voting for him.”

Bottom line: “You better believe, immigration is oftentimes the main disqualifier of a Republican candidate in people’s mind.”

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11 JUL 2022

Biden’s Move to Extend TPS is Welcomed, But More Must Be Done 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it will extend Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan holders but will not redesignate TPS. 323,000 Venezuelans are currently eligible for TPS, but redesignation would have allowed an additional 250,000 Venezuelans who have fled the Maduro regime after the initial March 2021 designation to apply for TPS. Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of The Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“While the administration’s decision to extend TPS for Venezuela is welcomed and warranted given the deteriorating conditions in the country, we are extremely disappointed that the administration chose to not act on redesignation. Plain and simple, the Biden administration made the wrong decision today and missed the opportunity to ensure the safety of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing the Maduro regime and reinforce its leadership and commitment in the Western Hemisphere. 

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11 JUL 2022

Hub Highlights: In Series of Actions, Immigration Advocates, Florida Leaders, Lawmakers Urge the Administration to Extend and Redesignate TPS for Venezuela 

POLITICO: Decision by Biden administration to extend and redesignate TPS for Venezuelans “could be welcomed by key constituents ahead of the midterms

The Hill: “Florida Democrats call on Biden to expand protections for Venezuelans”

WASHINGTON, DC - With the deadline for the Biden Administration to take action on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans fast approaching, “immigrant advocates, Democratic lawmakers and Florida-based Latino leaders are urging the [Biden] administration to redesignate TPS for Venezuelans who have fled the humanitarian crisis brought on by Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela is set to expire on September 9. The Administration must publish a notice on the Federal Register by July 11— 60 days before the expiration date— indicating whether it will extend TPS for holders currently protected and/or it will redesignate TPS for Venezuelans. 323,000 Venezuelans are currently eligible for TPS, but redesignation would allow at least an additional 250,000 Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. after the initial March 2021 designation to apply for TPS. 

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08 JUL 2022

Ignoring the Deadly Consequences of White Supremacist Propaganda and Disinformation, Gov. Abbott Ramps Up Bigoted Stunts Targeted at Texas Multiracial Communities

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, empowered by GOP state county alliesto declare an “invasion” at the southern border, ordered local law enforcement and the National Guard in the state to deport migrants they apprehend to the border. The governor’s actions are a continuation of a series of dangerous, undemocratic, divisive political stunts that weaponize language and policies against Texas’s multiracial communities, putting at risk the safety of all Texans.

“The latest order by Governor Abbott literally puts one of the largest populations of Latinos in the nation at risk,” stated Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Ignoring the deadly consequences of white supremacist theories and disinformation that have encouraged violence and mass shootings, like the one in El Paso, the governor is choosing to jeopardize the lives of all Texans and Americans. His relentless attacks under the guise of ‘border security’ demonstrate a willingness to align himself and his administration to fringe, racist ideologies, and groups for political gain. This latest ploy is an anti-democratic usurping of a constitutional federal authority and will undoubtedly lead to racial profiling in the state and harm to immigrants. 

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07 JUL 2022

Congressman Charlie Crist, Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo and Advocates Urge Administration to Extend and Redesignate Venezuela Temporary Protected Status

Click here for recording of the call

WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today, the Immigration Hub and the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) hosted a press call with Congressman Charlie Crist (FL-13), State Senator Annette Taddeo (FL-40) and other immigration advocates to urge the Biden-Harris administration to both extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela as the humanitarian crisis and state-sanctioned violence in the country have continued to worsen since the initial designation in March of 2021. The Administration must publish a notice on the Federal Register by Monday, July 11— 60 days before the expiration date— indicating whether it will extend and/or redesignate TPS for Venezuelans.

“The Biden-Harris administration did the right thing last year when it issued Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela. And now it must decide whether it will extend and redesignate TPS for the country to ensure an additional 250,000 refugees who are living in the United States are safe. The TPS program was created by Congress for exactly the type of situation happening in Venezuela, a country suffering from a deteriorating economic, political and humanitarian crisis," said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of The Immigration Hub.

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06 JUL 2022

Press Call: Florida Immigrant Coalition, Immigration Hub Urge Administration to Extend and Redesignate Venezuela Temporary Protected Status 

Redesignating TPS would protect at least an additional 250,000 Venezuelans who are eligible for TPS  

WASHINGTON, DC - Joined by former Florida Governor and Congressman Charlie Crist, the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and Immigration Hub will hold a press call on Thursday, July 7 at 11:00 AM EST to urge the Biden-Harris administration to both extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela as the humanitarian crisis and state-sanctioned violence in the country have continued to worsen since the initial designation in March of 2021. With overwhelming public support for TPS for families who are already in the U.S, the White House has an opportunity to continue ensuring the safety of Venezuelan nationals in the country, including heeding the urgent bipartisan call of the critical Florida Venezuelan constituency.

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30 JUN 2022

Immigration Hub Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Biden v. Texas

Washington, D.C. – The Immigration Hub released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision on Biden v. Texas, which ruled that the Biden administration has the power to set border policy and the Department of Homeland Security will no longer be forced to implement Trump’s cruel Remain in Mexico program. 

“Today’s decision is a victory that marks the end of a divisive and dangerous policy that put families in danger and left mothers, fathers, children, and vulnerable people stranded in Mexico,” said Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub. “This decision reaffirms that President Biden can move forward with safe and orderly policies at the border rather than continuing inhumane and senseless Trump border policies. It also reaffirms the power of the administration to release individuals from detention and parole individuals into the U.S. as their legal cases are processed.

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28 JUN 2022

Immigration Hub Statement on the Deaths of 48 Migrants in San Antonio 

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, federal law enforcement announced that at least 48 migrants were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio in what appears to be the most deadly incident in recent years for migrants near the southern border. At least 16 migrants, including children, were found injured and currently receiving aid in San Antonio. Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Sergio Gonzales, released the following statement about the horrific human tragedy: 

“Our hearts ache for the unspeakable human tragedy in San Antonio last night and our prayers are with the victims, their families, and those injured who are still fighting for their lives. Every measure must be taken to provide support to the survivors of this horrific event, and ensure the deceased are reunited with their loved ones. 

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27 JUN 2022

Data to Disrupt: What “caravan”? Move past the border

1. A candidate’s opportunity to persuade and motivate voters on immigration

Even with no migrant “caravans” arriving at the border, Title 42 still in place, record crackdowns on drugs and drug-traffickers at the border, and President Biden’s new agreements with countries in the Western Hemisphere to mitigate migration, the misconception that immigration is a political loser appears to be stopping Democrats in their tracks from even entertaining the issue beyond deliberating on asylum and Title 42— an issue made an issue by Republicans.

But as we’ll continue to show you in the data we’re collecting, Democrats can win votes and the debate on immigration by sticking to a formula that works: 

Recognize immigrant contributions

+ show commitment to popular solutions (i.e. citizenship, order & justice at the border)

+ hold the GOP accountable on immigration

_______________________________________________

= increased Democratic favorability

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24 JUN 2022

Immigration Hub Statement on SCOTUS Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade 

Washington, D.C. – In response to the Supreme Court’s decision on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case to overturn Roe v. Wade and effectively eliminate the constitutional right to abortion, the Immigration Hub released the following statement:

“Today’s devastating Supreme Court decision is the culmination of decades’ long campaign by Republicans to restrict critical reproductive health care access for women and families  -- all women will pay the price, while marginalized communities will be particularly hard hit. Disproportionately impacted by the decision to effectively ban abortion services in over 26 states are Black, Latino and Indigenous women, women with disabilities, immigrants and young girls and women living in poverty who are already facing insurmountable barriers to health care. With limited access to affordable health coverage, limited economic opportunities and higher rates of maternal mortality, these women will undeniably bear the hardest consequences of this unjust decision. That’s why, we join millions of Americans across the country to say we don’t back down and we won’t go back. Everyone deserves access to safe and affordable health care and that must include abortion care.

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21 JUN 2022

Immigration Hub Statement for World Refugee Day

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, leaders and communities commemorated World Refugee Day, recognizing the contributions, perseverance and humanity of refugees from across the world. Throughout the globe, more than 100 million people are now displaced from their homes—one in every 78 people. The fall of Kabul, war in Ukraine, conflicts in Cameroon, Mali, and Ethiopia, and violence, persecution, and natural disasters in the Western Hemisphere are forcing a record number of people to flee their homes. 

While the lives of many refugees remain in limbo, in the U.S, refugees help energize the national economy and local communities, pouring billions into the country’s economic growth. In fact, according to Michael Clemens, an economist at the Center for Global Development, the reduction of refugees resettled into the U.S. has “cost the overall U.S. economy over $9.1 billion each year ($30,962 per missing refugee per year, on average) and cost public coffers at all levels of government over $2.0 billion each year ($6,844 per missing refugee per year, on average).”

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17 JUN 2022

Hub Highlights: Biden-Harris Administration, Democratic Caucus, and Candidates Across the Country Commemorate DACA’s Tenth Anniversary 

Summit of the Americas Promotes Safe, Humane and Orderly Migration 

WASHINGTON, DC - On June 15th, immigrant youth, advocates, elected officials, and 2022 Democratic candidates across the country celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, highlighting the program’s life changing impact to undocumented youth and their families and the accomplishments and contributions of Dreamers. The anniversary also reiterated the call on Congress to pass permanent protections for DACA recipients and their families. 

With the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals scheduled to hear oral arguments to determine DACA’s fate, the urgency to deliver legislative action remains at the center of talks in Congress and a campaign focus for many voters who support a path to citizenship for Dreamers and their families. In fact, a majority of the American electorate believe that providing legal status to undocumented immigrants is both long overdue and would help the nation’s economic recovery. Democrats passed H.R. 6 in the last two Congresses and the Dream Act in the 111th Congress. President Biden has also coordinated a whole-of-government response to support and protect DACA recipients should further legal challenges arise and to highlight the importance of renewing applications. However, Republicans in Congress have blocked the measures from moving forward despite public support, including GOP business leaders and donors who recently sent a letter urging Republican lawmakers to protect Dreamers, which would help ease the nation’s labor shortages, reduce food prices and create jobs for all.

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17 JUN 2022

Immigration Hub’s Statement in Honor of Juneteenth

WASHINGTON, DC - Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans, marked by the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned they were free. While our nation celebrates Juneteenth on Sunday, Black communities, including immigrants and refugees, still face systemic challenges that disproportionately impact and harm them. 

The Immigration Hub issued the following statement honoring the significance of Juneteenth and urging for long overdue action:

“We celebrate the meaning, the value and history of Juneteenth that has sparked in all of us a reckoning and recognition of the achievements and plight of Black Americans. It’s through their relentless fight for freedom and equality that many of us today can appreciate and understand the words etched in America’s Constitution. We are grateful for the contributions by Black leaders and communities to our nation, all of which are reminders, especially on this day, that we must not rest until the promise of equality and justice is fulfilled and never forget the indelible stain and consequences of slavery and racism.

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15 JUN 2022

On 10th Anniversary of DACA, Immigration Hub Celebrates the Program’s Impact and Call on Congress to Deliver Lasting Protections for Dreamers and Undocumented Families

WASHINGTON, DC - June 15th marks the 10th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The decades-old immigration initiative, granted by former President Barack Obama and fought for by undocumented youth and advocates across the country, has improved the lives of Dreamers, allowing hundreds of thousands to attain higher education, serve their country and contribute to our local economies and communities. Today, as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other Democratic members of Congress commemorate the anniversary with DACA recipients and undocumented youth, the occasion also underscores the need to deliver legislative action providing Dreamers, their families and undocumented immigrants in the U.S. a path to citizenship.

The DACA program has protected more than 830,000 young people from deportation, allowing them to work, study, and participate in American society at large. During the pandemic, more than three-quarters of DACA recipients— 343,000— made up the country’s essential workforce. The American public has long supported a path to citizenship for Dreamers despite efforts by Republican elected officials to end the program and block legislative reform.

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14 JUN 2022

Marco Rubio’s Evolution from Pro-Immigrant to the Fringe Right

WASHINGTON, DC - Nearly a decade ago, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) once reached across the aisle advocating for immigration reform, a position held by a number of Republican leaders in the past such as President George W. Bush and Senator John McCain. It didn’t take long before he would distance himself from those efforts and gradually embrace the ideologies of the fringe right with the arrival of Donald Trump. While some would view his current presence in the Senate as more of a quiet, behind-the-scenes politician, a deeper look into his policy positions and rhetoric on immigration in social media and Florida’s media landscape paints a far different picture. Senator Rubio has become a consistent driver of anti-immigrant language and policies that echo his GOP colleagues’ — head of the NRSC Senator Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis — divisive, xenophobic political content and actions.

The Republican playbook— weaponizing immigration as a means to defeat Democrats— has been at the core of many of the GOP candidates’ campaign strategy this year. Already, more than 850 anti-immigrant ads have been deployed by Republicans running for office across the country— 31 ads were by Florida GOP candidates. As noted by the Immigration Hub and America’s Voice, of those campaign ads, hundreds mirror and normalize tenets of the “Great Replacement Theory” (a racist ideology asserting that immigrants of color are coming to America in a scheme to “replace” white people and are aided and abetted by Jews), which was further elevated into the limelight after the Buffalo mass shooting:

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09 JUN 2022

Summit of the Americas is an Opportunity to Strengthen Regional Cooperation to Global Migration, Grant Protection to Refugees, and TPS to Haiti, Central America and Venezuela

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as the United States hosts the ninth Summit of the Americas, leaders from the Western Hemisphere have an opportunity to collaborate on and address urgent challenges, including migration policy, clean energy, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The Biden administration is set to sign the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and will continue delivering on their blueprint to strengthen America’s immigration and asylum system through their work to encourage regional prosperity and security and address the root causes of migration.

Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement calling on the administration to take additional steps:

“The Summit of the Americas is an opportunity for President Biden, Vice President Harris and leaders from the Western Hemisphere to foster collaboration on innovative and impactful approaches to address migration through a regional approach. The Summit’s leaders share a responsibility to advance a new vision for the region where all people can thrive and where the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees are respected. 

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07 JUN 2022

Vice President Harris Launches Critical Efforts to Support Economies Throughout Central America 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Vice President Harris announced a new initiative, the Central American Service Corps (CASC), and new commitments to support women’s economic empowerment in northern Central America and the Western Hemisphere. The CASC program is a collective effort, among public, private and philanthropic partners, that brought the Vice President’s vision to empower young people in the region to gain opportunities, mentorship, and a path to future employment. The initiative is one of many actions that Vice President Harris has taken to address the root causes of migration and ensure strong regional ties and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere. Her new commitments to women in the region will provide opportunities in the financial and agricultural sectors while fighting gender-based violence and closing the digital divide.

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07 Jun 2022

At the Summit of the Americas, Over 100 Groups Call on the Biden Administration to Protect Migrants, Asylum Seekers and Refugees 

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as reported by The Hill, 107 immigration and human rights organizations sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris administration to make additional immigration commitments at the Summit of the Americas, including granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and parole for Central Americans, Venezuelans, and Haitians. While we anticipate that the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection will be a welcome step forward in respecting migrants’ rights, the groups signing this letter expect the administration to go further by announcing new programs to ensure the rights of immigrants are protected by granting meaningful access to asylum, designating and redesignating TPS, expanding legal pathways for migrants and uniting families, and consulting civil society organizations to implement migration frameworks at home and regionally. 

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06 Jun 2022

140 Organizations Urge Congress to Act Against White Supremacy Ideologies and Deliver Policy Solutions that Strengthen America’s Immigration System

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as reported by CQ Roll Call, a broad spectrum of 140 organizations sent a letter to Congress, urging members to reject the demands — rooted in white supremacist and racist ideologies — to enact anti-immigrant legislation, such as the Lankford-Sinema bill that would ultimately undermine America’s asylum system for years to come. Led by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the Haitian Bridge Alliance, and the Immigration Hub, the letter, equally, calls on Congress to carry out the policy priorities of Black leaders and civil rights organizations that address racist ideologies and gun violence, which led to the Buffalo mass shooting.

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1 JUN 2022

Data to Disrupt: Roll Up Your Sleeves, This is How We Fight Back

1. How the Winning Jobs Narrative Project informs messaging on immigration

A major new study is out: The Rural Democracy Initiative helped launch and support The Winning Jobs Narrative Project — a “blueprint for successful messaging on issues relating to jobs and the economy” brought to you by some of the best in the business when it comes to research and progressive advocacy. (You can download their resources here.)

Why it matters to the immigration narrative:

One of the study’s key takeaways is that most voters value hard work — the kind where we do well for ourselves and our families and do our part to contribute to the community. That value informs some of the best messaging to persuade voters, including:

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26 MAY 2022

Round Up: Top Pennsylvania GOP Primary Winners Represent Most Extreme, Anti-Immigrant Positions that Echo Fringe, White Nationalists Ideologies

WASHINGTON, DC - While Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman won a resounding victory last Tuesday, notably leaning into values-based immigration messaging throughout a campaign that won all 67 PA counties, winners for the Republican Party in Pennsylvania made no secret of the dark path they’ve chosen to take on the campaign trail: They will continue echoing extreme, racially-charged positions on immigration to misinform and scare battleground voters against Democrats. 

The Republican playbook— weaponizing immigration as a means to defeat Democrats— has been at the core of many of the GOP candidates’ campaign strategy this year. Already, more than 700 anti-immigrant ads have been deployed by Republicans running for office across the country— 61 ads were by Pennsylvania GOP candidates. As noted by the Immigration Hub and America’s Voice, of those campaign ads, hundreds mirror and normalize tenets of the “Great Replacement Theory” (a racist ideology asserting that immigrants of color are coming to America in a scheme to “replace” white people and are aided and abetted by Jews), which was further elevated into the limelight after the Buffalo mass shooting:

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25 MAY 2022

Immigration Hub on Failure to Address Gun Violence and Senate Vote to End Asylum Rule: “Absolutely Contemptible.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senate Republicans are forcing a vote to end a new asylum rule, which lays out a plan to reduce the backlog, create processing centers and increase reviews of cases, among other components to meet the needs at the border. The rule is a critical piece of the Biden administration’s plan to manage migration, keep families together and ensure an orderly process at the border. Nothing in this rule changes the law regarding release of asylum seekers at the border.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, responded to the latest development:

“Yesterday, nineteen children and two teachers lost their lives in yet another act of senseless gun violence. Today our nation is heartbroken and outraged at the lack of action by our national and state leaders. Twenty three years ago, I lost twelve classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School. Since then, over 311,000 children have experienced gun violence at school. We knew that policy changes were needed then - and yet here we are again in mourning.

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23 MAY 2022

The Administration Must Listen to the Will of Their Party, The Electorate, and Uphold Humanitarian Protections for TPS Holders from Central America  

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and 84 other Members of Congress called on President Biden and U.S. Department of State Secretary Blinken to provide Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for 1.5 million migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Lia Parada, Director of Legislative Advocacy at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“The worsening humanitarian crisis in the Northern Triangle of Central America qualifies these nations for long-overdue protections. The 2020 hurricanes devastated and displaced countless communities and the COVID-19 pandemic has made matters worse, exacerbating an already tenuous situation. We applaud the members of Congress who are calling on the administration to extend and designate TPS to these nationals who not only call America home, but should not be deported to such dangerous regions. There’s no question the conditions of these countries meet the criteria for TPS designation.

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20 MAY 2022

After Title 42 Ruling, Immigration Hub’s Talbot Calls on Democrats to Lead With Solutions and Refugee Protection 

WASHINGTON, DC - Judge Robert R. Summerhays of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana just issued a preliminary injunction in the case of Arizona v. CDC. The case, brought by Republican Attorneys General against the Biden administration, seeks to keep the ban on entry of asylum-seekers under Title 42 in place indefinitely. Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement in response:

“Judge Summerhays imposed an injunction that is very likely to remain in place beyond the midterms, ultimately eliminating the need for any congressional action while keeping in place an extremely harmful Trump era policy. Republican state Attorneys General are relying on the anti-immigrant judicial pipeline more than ever because they know Trump judges will impose temporary injunctions on Biden policies and thwart the will of the American public who voted for Biden. 

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20 MAY 2022

Nevada Leaders and Immigration Experts Call on Sen. Cortez-Masto and Democratic Senators to Stand Up Against Efforts to End Asylum, Deliver Immigration Solutions Voters Demand

NEVADA - Yesterday, the Immigration Hub hosted a press call with Nevada leaders and immigration experts to denounce legislative efforts to undermine America’s asylum system and to urge Senator Cortez-Masto and her Senate colleagues to reject legislative efforts to codify Title 42 and dismantle America’s asylum system. 

This press call comes as Republicans attempt to hold important COVID-19 funding hostage in a legislative bid to continue using the border as an electoral wedge issue. According to a recent Immigration Hub survey, a majority of voters support a fair and orderly process for refugees and those seeking asylum. Yet, the Lankford-Sinema bill stands to block refugees and asylum seekers, primarily Haitians, Central Americans, Venezuelans and other migrants of color, from processing claims at the border for years to come. 

"We know where Republicans stand. The question is whether Senator Cortez-Masto and Democratic leaders are willing to be complicit and end our asylum system and tell America we will keep out Black and brown people fleeing from persecution and violence," said Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political & Communications Officer, Immigration Hub.

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19 May 2022

Data to Disrupt: The GOP and the “Great Replacement Theory”

1. What’s at stake: America’s cultural identity

The racially-motivated mass shooting in Buffalo is not an anomaly. The armed white supremacist left a manifesto echoing the “Great Replacement Theory” — a racist conspiracy theory that asserts that immigrants are a part of a coordinated invasion of the U.S. led by Jews. The ideology has been embraced as a central organizing principle of the GOP’s midterm strategy. How?

Let’s rewind to the major GOP ad themes we told you about in an earlier edition of Data to Disrupt:

  • Invasion” at the southern border.

  • Democrats incentivize migrants with benefits like mass amnesty.

  • Fentanyl and overdoses coming through to the border and killing Americans.

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18 MAY 2022

Press Briefing: Nevada Leaders and Immigration Experts Call on Sen. Cortez-Masto and Democratic Senators to Stand Up Against Efforts to End Asylum, Deliver Immigration Solutions Voters Demand 

WASHINGTON, DC – Nevada leaders and immigration experts will hold a briefing call Thursday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT, to denounce legislative efforts to undermine America’s asylum system by maintaining Title 42. 

As Republicans attempt to hold hostage important COVID funding legislation to continue using the border as an electoral wedge issue, the Lankford-Sinema bill stands to block refugees and asylum seekers, primarily Haitians, Central Americans, Venezuelans and other migrants of color, from processing claims at the border for years to come. The implications of the bill would have a detrimental impact on America’s asylum system, sending a dangerous signal to Nevada and the American electorate at large that Democrats are willing to compromise the nation’s values for fear of racially-charged, political attacks.

Senator Cortez-Masto and Democratic leaders have an opportunity to reject the bill and instead deliver on widely supported immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship and support Biden's border plan with resources.  According to a recent Immigration Hub survey, a majority of voters support a fair and orderly process for refugees and those seeking asylum.

READ THE FULL ADVISORY


16 MAY 2022

Haitian Bridge Alliance and Immigration Hub: “Once again, we find ourselves feeling the anguish of lives lost to acts of terrorism against Black communities.”

WASHINGTON, DC -  The Haitian Bridge Alliance and Immigration Hub issued the following statement in response to the racially-motivated mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York and increased targeting of minorities including Black communities, Asian-Americans, Latinos, and other communities of color:

“Our heart goes out to the victims, families and community impacted by the mass shooting in Buffalo. Racism and violence have pervaded America for too long, with Black communities remaining the most targeted group in terms of hate crimes. Once again, we find ourselves feeling the anguish of lives lost to acts of terrorism against minority communities driven by white supremacist ideologies.” 

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11 MAY 2022

Congress Must Heed the Pleas of TPS Holders, Move Us Closer to a Pathway to Citizenship

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, as part of a week of action organized by the We Are Home coalition, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders are meeting with members of Congress to share their stories and discuss the need to extend and redesignate protections for eligible countries impacted by political, natural, and other humanitarian crises. Lia Parada, Director of Legislative Advocacy at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Today, more than 100 TPS holders from across the country made an inspiring case on the need for members of Congress to deliver long overdue protections. Workers and families with TPS have become integral members of the American social fabric. When our country faced its darkest period - a pandemic that counted on essential workers to step up for our neighbors and local economies - individuals with TPS stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Americans to keep our nation afloat as critical members of the labor force. We cannot turn our backs on them when they need us the most— denying them protection from deportation would put them at risk of returning to countries with high-risk political and humanitarian conditions that could upend their lives. President Biden must also step in where Congress has dragged its feet and extend and redesignate TPS for those who cannot return to their home countries and call America home.”

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10 MAY 2022

ICYMI: Sergio Gonzales Joins MSNBC to Outline How Democrats Can Win the Immigration Debate

WASHINGTON, DC - Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, joined MSNBC’s American Voices this weekend to discuss how Democrats need to message on Title 42 and the border ahead of midterms. A recent Immigration Hub poll shows that Democrats are losing ground on immigration by allowing Republicans to dominate most of the debate. But Democrats can still turn the debate around by communicating popular, balanced solutions that motivate a crucial segment of voters who consider immigration a major issue — mostly swing, Democratic base and Latino voters. Gonzales detailed exactly how Democratic candidates can win back these voters.

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06 MAY 2022

Hub Highlights: GOP Political Stunts Threaten the Security of National Guards and Immigrant Students as the GOP Seeks to Force Democrats to Return to Trump’s Cruel Policies

WASHINGTON, DC - While the majority of Americans grow concerned and angry over the news of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade this summer, Republicans remain laser focused on immigration and the border. NRSC head, Senator Rick Scott, told Punchbowl News that “abortion may be an issue, but inflation, crime and the continuing problems at the U.S.-Mexico border will be top of mind for voters.” The Republican Party’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has materialized into threats and actual consequences to groups and communities as they attempt to force Democrats to return to the former administration’s cruel policies, such as dismantling America’s asylum system through the Lankford-Sinema bill.

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27 APR 2022

National Immigration Leaders Urge Democrats to Remain Unified Against Title 42; Highlight Dangerous GOP Tactics to Maintain Trump Policy

WASHINGTON, DC – As DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to testify before Congress today, national immigration experts held a press briefing to discuss the latest developments on the termination of Title 42 and the Biden-Harris administration’s plans to continue implementing measures to manage the border and migration. This comes one day after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a detailed path forward to process asylum seekers and refugees, strengthen the border infrastructure and mitigate any increase in migration. The rollout of this plan comes on the heels of recent political attacks by Republican members of Congress and state elected officials in an effort to maintain the Trump-era policy and dismantle America’s asylum system through the courts and legislation.

“We are here to make clear that Democrats have a choice before them where they can either stand with a Stephen Miller policy that essentially shut down our asylum system, a policy that is an affront to not only immigrant communities, but our values. Or they can actually read what is in the President's plan and work with the administration to ensure that the administration is set up for success,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director, Immigration Hub.

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26 APR 2022

Press Briefing: Experts Address Detailed DHS Plan to Manage Border and GOP Tactics to Maintain Title 42 as Sec. Mayorkas Readies to Testify Before Congress

WASHINGTON, DC - Immigration experts will hold a briefing call this morning, Wednesday, April 27 at 9:00 a.m. ET, to discuss the latest developments on the termination of Title 42 and the Biden-Harris administration’s plans to continue implementing measures to manage the border and migration. As DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to testify before Congress, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to release a detailed path forward to process asylum seekers and refugees, strengthen the border infrastructure and mitigate any increase in migration. The rollout of the administration’s plans are coming on the heels of recent political attacks by Republican members of Congress and state elected officials, in an effort to maintain the Trump-era policy and dismantle America’s asylum system through the courts and legislation.

READ THE FULL ADVISORY


25 APR 2022

The Immigration Hub Applauds CHC Following Today’s Meeting President Biden

WASHINGTON, DC - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) met with President Biden today to discuss priorities for the Latino community, including the termination of Title 42 and executive action priorities. Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) underscored why Congress President Biden and his administration must remain steadfast in its decision to terminate the failed Trump policy, Title 42. Any legislation to keep Title 42 in place would defy both science and a commonsense approach to order and justice at the border. 

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25 APR 2022

JOINT STATEMENT: Border Mayors on President Biden’s Repeal of Title 42

Today, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez issued the following statement on President Biden’s recent decision to end Title 42:

“We support the Biden Administration’s decision to repeal Title 42 and uphold our legal and moral obligation of providing the fundamental right to seek asylum. It is the smart thing to do and it is the right thing to do. A fair and humane immigration system should be a priority for all of our leaders, not just those such as us who see the effects of a broken system every day. 

"Title 42 was never an immigration policy and it never worked as such at our southern border. It was a public health order that President Trump manipulated to further his exclusionary agenda and mainstream anti-immigrant rhetoric. 

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25 APR 2022

Data to Disrupt: Why Democrats can win the immigration debate

1. Warning: Act like a Republican, lose votes

Immigration is poised to be a major issue for President Biden and the Democrats, especially with a crucial segment of voters — mostly swing, Democratic base and Latino voters — who either need to be persuaded or motivated on the issue to give Democrats the edge.

new poll from the Immigration Hub found that voters are mostly hearing from Republicans about immigration and Democrats are losing ground by remaining silent on the issue.

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22 APR 2022

Hub Highlights: New Poll and Experts Underscore the Need for Democrats to Pushback Against GOP Strategy to Weaponize Immigration and Title 42

WASHINGTON, DC - As Republicans continue to hurl campaign attacks against Democrats over the termination of Title 42, a new Immigration Hub battleground poll shows that Democrats have an opportunity to turn the debate around on immigration by communicating popular, balanced solutions that motivate a key segment of voters - made up of swing, Democratic base and Latino voters. The poll finds that it is critically important that Democratic candidates don’t alienate these crucial voters with messages that echo Republican postures.

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20 APR 2022

New Battleground Poll: Democrats Need to Counter GOP Anti-Immigrant Attacks By Communicating Popular Immigration Solutions to Voters, Not Echoing GOP Talking Points

WASHINGTON, DC - The Immigration Hub released the results of a new battleground poll, surveying voters from Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, revealing that Democrats have an opportunity to turn the debate around on immigration by communicating popular, balanced solutions that motivate a key segment of voters - made up of swing, Democratic base and Latino voters. The poll finds that it is critically important that Democratic candidates don’t alienate these critical voters with messages that echo Republican postures.

“The key to winning the immigration debate for Democrats is not silence – it’s talking to voters about the progress they’ve made for immigrant communities and at the border after the previous administration wrecked our immigration system,” stated Beatriz Lopez, Chief Political and Communications Officer for the Immigration Hub. “President Biden and Democrats have a prime opportunity right now to show how their policy prescriptions are meeting the moment and voters’ vision for a better immigration system. Importantly, they must continue to deliver on key commitments such as protections for our nation’s undocumented immigrants which is good policy and good politics. This is the moment for Democrats to get out with their message and plans, not repeat divisive, counterintuitive Republican talking points.”

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15 APR 2022

A Day for Justice: Cameroonians in the U.S. Granted TPS

WASHINGTON, DC - After years of ardent advocacy from the Cameroon diaspora in the United States—with leadership by the Cameroon American Council, Cameroon Advocacy Network, and other organizations—finally, Cameroonians in the United States have achieved a monumental goal. The Biden-Harris administration designated Temporary Protected Status for Cameroon. 

“This is such an important moment, and was driven by the leadership of the Cameroonian-American community,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “This campaign was led by people whose lives are literally at stake. Today’s announcement by the Biden-Harris administration is exactly the right thing to do. It will protect thousands of lives and allow displaced Cameroonians living in the United States the opportunity to breathe a little freer, knowing they no longer face deportation to violence and death. This is also a  major milestone in building a more humane and just immigration system.”

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12 APR 2022

Hub Highlights: Backlash to Republican Stunts

In response to President Biden ending Title 42, a harmful policy that has had detrimental impacts on children and families, Republicans have ramped up their legislative and campaign attacks against Democrats, using the administration’s border policies as the current centerpiece of their midterm strategy. Republican candidates and governors have inserted themselves in the debate, pulling stunts and deploying millions in hyperbolic advertising while GOP members of Congress attempt to move legislation to keep Title 42 in place and dismantle America’s asylum system. 

Notably, both Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida have taken matters into their own hands to undermine President Biden’s plan to safely process refugees and asylum seekers and reunite families. Their stunts have created backlash:

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08 APR 2022

Hub Highlights: From the Ukraine-Poland Border to Tucson, Elected Officials and Experts Call Welcome the End of Title 42 and Urge Meaningful Reforms That Meet The Moment

WASHINGTON, DC - Days after the Biden Administration announced it is ending the use of Title 42 by late May, Senators James Lankford (OK-R) and Krysten Sinema (AZ-D) introduced a bill to upend America’s asylum system and keep Title 42 in place – a harmful policy that has had detrimental impacts on children and families, particularly Haitian and Black seeking protection. The bill is a “gross political misstep,” as the Immigration Hub’s Sergio Gonzales recently stated, at a time when America’s European allies are welcoming Ukrainian refugees fleeing war and heartbreaking circumstances. While Republicans use the end of Title 42 for electoral fodder and campaign ads, leaders from across the country are speaking out, stressing the importance of revoking Title 42 and rising to this moment with meaningful reforms to welcome Ukrainian, Haitian, and other asylum seekers.

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07 APR 2022

Bad Politics, Bad Policy: Lankford-Sinema Bill Would Create A Family Separation Crisis and Chaos At The Border

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday evening, Senators James Lankford (R - OK) and Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) announced they would introduce a new bill that would make it near impossible to revoke Title 42, a Trump-imposed policy set to be fully rescinded by May 23 as determined by the CDC. The Lankford-Sinema bill, the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, politicizes COVID-related emergency public health designations, putting health related programs and funding in jeopardy as they would then be tied to immigration policy. Ultimately, the bill would also have immensely harmful impacts on families and worsen America’s asylum system. 

“Democrats who choose to support this bill are making a gross political misstep,” stated Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Keeping Title 42 in place only makes matters worse at the border. There is no order or process in place to manage migration without fully revoking Title 42 and allowing President Biden’s plan to take effect with the tools and personnel that would mitigate any increase in migration. 

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06 APR 2022

A Vote to Keep Title 42 is a Vote to Separate Families

WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Republican Whip John Thune announced that Senate Republicans will introduce an amendment to the COVID aid bill, aimed at undermining the Biden administration’s decision to revoke Title 42. Yesterday, Republican senators went as far as derailing the vote on cloture for the COVID aid bill. If the GOP amendment were to pass, it would not only serve to block Ukrainian, Afghan, Venezuelan, Cuban and other asylum seekers, but it would also have lasting, detrimental impacts on the country’s asylum system.

“The Republicans are engaged in political gamesmanship rather than border management,” stated Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub. “The CDC and leading public health experts agree, there is no public health justification to maintain Title 42. Keeping this policy in place isn’t the answer to managing migration, securing our borders or, least of all, improving our immigration system. It’s clear, Senate Republicans are intent on dismantling America’s asylum system and returning to the failed family separation policies of the past. They would be willing to block Ukrainians and asylum seekers fleeing war, communism and persecution to score a soundbite on campaign ads. 

Anyone who would support this political ploy would be supporting a return to a family separation policy.”

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04 APR 2022

Introducing Data to Disrupt: GOP 2022 Playbook - and how Democrats should respond

Across the country, Republicans are already focusing heavily on anti-immigrant messaging in their 2022 campaigns. The reason: the issue is salient with primary voters, and the attacks often go unanswered.

It’s been their plan all along as Republican strategists Jeff Roe and Stephen Miller, pointed out: “As an issue, I can’t think of one that’s better.” In fact, according to POLITICO’s recent tracking, “Immigration is by far the most popular topic in Republican campaign ads.”

The ad blitz is in full swing:

America’s Voice GOP Ad Tracker is keeping tabs of the right’s advertising on immigrationIn the first three months of this year, Republicans have created more than 500 unique pieces of paid political content pushing anti-immigrant messages. The tracker found that GOP candidates are driving three major messaging themes:

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01 APR 2022

National Immigration Leaders Applaud President Biden's Decision to Revoke Title 42

WASHINGTON, DC - During a press call today, national immigration experts, including Tyler Moran, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor on Migration, Sergio Gonzales, the Executive Director of Immigration Hub, and Frank Sharry, founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice, applauded the CDC's decision to fully revoke Title 42 by May 23. 

By ending Title 42, President Biden is recommitting America’s values by responsibly welcoming those seeking safety and refuge right here at home- as the country’s European allies have done abroad. This is an important and commendable action by the Biden administration to roll back cruel and harmful policies of the past and implement new ones to gradually rebuild a more fair, orderly and humane immigration system.

"Ending Title 42 is not 'open borders' – it is a regular order where people have the right to ask for asylum,” said Tyler Moran, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor on Migration. “Those who request asylum will be processed into the country so they can pursue their case; those who don’t request asylum or who lose their case will be removed. While Republicans are using this moment to whip up their base for the midterms, they have no solutions. The Biden administration has a strategy in place to respond to changing migration patterns.”

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01 APR 2022

Biden Administration’s Plan to End Title 42 Ensures Families Stay Together As America Gets Back to Business

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the CDC announced plans to fully revoke Title 42 by May 23. In March, the Biden administration exempted children and Ukrainian refugees from the Trump-era policy while keeping it in place for families and single adults, disproportionately impacting Haitians, Central Americans and other asylum seekers and refugees at the border. Now, by fully revoking Title 42, President Biden is recommitting America to our values by responsibly welcoming those seeking safety and refuge right here at home- as our European allies have done abroad. This is an important and commendable action by the Biden administration to roll back cruel and harmful policies of the past and implement new ones to gradually rebuild a more fair, orderly and humane immigration system.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: “We applaud the decision of the CDC - a determination that will finally put an end to a policy that held no public health merit and was discriminately used to expel families, including children. We know that with the end of Title 42 there will be mischaracterizations about what will happen next and what it means for America’s borders.”

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31 MAR 2022

MEMO: President Biden’s Plan to Manage Migration and the Border

WASHINGTON, DC -  Recent reports reveal that the White House is preparing to fully revoke Title 42 over a period of two months. In March, the Biden administration exempted children and Ukrainian refugees from the Trump-era policy while keeping it in place for families and single adults, disproportionately impacting Haitians, Central Americans and other asylum seekers and refugees at the border. The policy has had devastating effects on children and families. A recent article published in New England Journal of Medicine surmised, “There is no public health evidence that singling out asylum seekers or other migrants for exclusion from the United States is effective in stemming the spread of Covid-19.” 

The Biden administration inherited a devastated immigration system, including Title 42 and its impacts. President Biden, however, has taken commendable action to roll back cruel and harmful policies of the past and implement new ones to gradually rebuild a more fair, orderly and humane immigration system. Now, by fully revoking Title 42, President Biden can continue to step up as he has on the global stage by responsibly welcoming those seeking safety and refuge right here at our own borders- as our European allies have done abroad.   

President Biden Has A Broad Strategy in Place to Manage the Border; Ready for Any Immediate Increase in Migration 

The Biden administration has a plan, with the capacity and resources, to manage migration, keep families together and ensure an orderly process at the border. No Democrat supports open borders.

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24 MAR 2022

Advocates for Children and Families Demand Immediate End to Title 42

WASHINGTON, DC - For two years, a stranglehold has been in place at the U.S. southern border to block refugees—including families with young children—from making an application for asylum. That stranglehold is known as “Title 42,” a provision in U.S. law that gives the government emergency powers to stop the “introduction of communicable diseases.”   

Title 42 was a Trump-crafted policy implemented at the beginning of the pandemic, but the Biden administration has continued it to this day. As the policy turns two—the same age as many of the children it has harmed—advocates for children and families are demanding its immediate end.   

“Title 42 puts children and families in harm’s way, and KIND stands firmly against continuation of this failed policy rooted in the last Administration,” said KIND President Wendy Young. “KIND has worked with children expelled from the U.S.-Mexico border under Title 42 who faced further harm and trauma as a result. One young girl was turned away and then hit by a car. In another case, a girl who fled Guatemala after being raped made her way to the United States with her infant, only to be expelled and put on a flight back to Guatemala, without the chance to make her case for protection in the United States. Thousands of children alone have faced similar treatment. It is beyond time for the Biden Administration to put an end to Title 42, which is an affront to family and child protection.” 

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24 MAR 2022

Groups Send Letter to President Biden On Discriminatory Use of Title 42 on Haitians, Central Americans, and Other Refugees and Asylum Seekers

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, over 80 organizations, representing health care and legal experts and children’s advocacy, immigrant rights’ and faith groups, sent a letter to President Biden and his administration, urging them to fully revoke Title 42. Led by the Haitian Bridge Alliance and the Immigration Hub, the groups denounced the contradictory use of the Trump-era policy, noting how the Biden administration has commendably made an exemption for Ukrainian refugees but allowed the continued use of Title 42 to expel other asylum seekers at the border, disproportionately impacting Haitian and Central American migrants fleeing persecution, torture and violent conflict.

Eighty-seven organizations signed the letter addressed to President Biden, Vice-President Harris,  Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Director of Domestic Policy Council for the White House, Susan Rice, Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, and National Security Advisory for the White House, Jake Sullivan. While the groups express relief for the Biden administration’s decisions to end Title 42 expulsion for unaccompanied minors and ensuring that Ukrainian refugees are able to claim asylum at ports of entry, they stress the “underlying basis for these decisions apply as forcefully to the Haitians, Central Americans, and other refugees at the southern border who are also seeking protection.”  

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21 MAR 2022

Immigration Hub: Title 42 Must Go Now

WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, the Biden administration announced a Title 42 exemption for Ukrainian migrants seeking asylum at ports of entry as it reportedly considers new programs to allow displaced Ukrainians to apply for asylum in the United States. The latest developments come as advocates remember the second anniversary of Title 42, a Trump-era policy that is still utilized today to deny families and individuals the right to apply for asylum, disproportionately impacting Haitian and Black migrants fleeing dangerous conditions.

Title 42 has had devastating effects on children and families. A report released by Human Rights First recorded nearly 10,000 kidnappings, assaults, rape and other attacks against migrants stranded in Mexico because of the Title 42 U.S. border policy since the start of the Biden administration. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) also found that over 90% of those expelled under Title 42 are from Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador – countries that are all facing the impacts of violent political conflicts and natural disasters. 

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17 MAR 2022

Immigration Hub Applauds TPS for Afghanistan, But Questions Delay for TPS for Cameroon

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Biden administration announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan. Earlier this month, protections were also announced for Ukraine. The Immigration Hub welcomes these actions, but questions the delay in designating African nations like Cameroon and Ethiopia for the same protection. 

“Today’s news is so important for the tens of thousands of Afghan people in the United States who need protection from deportation. While it doesn’t ease their worries about their families, it does help them to know they aren’t facing immediate deportation. Congress should immediately pass the Afghan Adjustment Act to turn this temporary reprieve into a permanent solution,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub.  

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11 MAR 2022

Hub Highlights: Chorus to End Title 42 Keeps Getting Louder as Congressional Democrats, Immigration, Health Care and Children's Advocates Pressure President Biden to Revoke the Policy

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, during a press call hosted by the Immigration Hub, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), immigration experts, and children’s advocates urged President Biden to fully restore access to asylum and revoke Title 42. The congressional Democratic leaders and advocates echoed the groundswell of opposition reflected in a letter signed by over 300 immigrant and human rights organizations, demanding that President Biden revoke the Trump-era policy, which is currently being utilized by the Biden administration to expel migrants and refugees without access to a fair process. 

This increased pressure from top Democrats and advocates comes as Biden v. Texas, which could force the Biden administration to expel unaccompanied children under Title 42, is set to take effect tonight unless the Biden administration requests a stay. 

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10 MAR 2022

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, US Senator Bob Menendez, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, Immigration and Children Advocates Call on President Biden to Revoke Title 42

WASHINGTON, DC - Earlier today, the Immigration Hub hosted a press call with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Bob Menendez, U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán, immigration experts, and children’s advocates, to urge President Biden to fully restore access to asylum and revoke Title 42. 

This press call comes days after recent dueling court decisions that underscore the need for President Biden to end Title 42 – in Biden v. Texas, a federal judge in Texas ordered the Biden administration to resume the inhumane practice of expelling unaccompanied children, jeopardizing their lives and health. In Huisha-Huisha v. DHS, the D.C. Circuit Court ruled that the Department of Homeland security cannot expel or return people to countries where they are likely to suffer torture or persecution using Title 42. 

As America seeks to welcome and aid refugees from Ukraine, it must also look at its own treatment of migrants at our borders. Title 42 has disproportionately impacted Black migrants and refugees, including Haitian asylum seekers, who have been denied and deported back to dangerous conditions. 

“Title 42 has been nothing short of disastrous for immigrant families seeking asylum from the horrors in their home countries,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

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09 MAR 2022

Senators Menendez, Booker, Padilla Urge President Biden To End Title 42, A Policy Harmful to Children and Families, Disproportionately Impacting Black Migrant and Refugees

WASHINGTON, DC - Senate Democrats, including U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, Cory Booker (both D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and others, continue to call on President Joe Biden to end the usage of Title 42, originally introduced under the Trump Administration, that continues to mistreat and harm migrants and refugees at the border, disproportionately impacting Black migrants, including Haitian asylum-seekers– thousands of whom have been expelled to Haiti where they face persecution and dangerous conditions. A ruling from a Trump-appointed judge in Texas, last week, callously ordered the Biden administration to expel unaccompanied migrant children under Title 42. The decision reiterates the need to fully revoke Title 42, particularly as the Biden administration seeks to aid and encourage humanitarianism for Ukrainian refugees, some of whom are also seeking asylum at the southern border. In the senators’ statements, they underscore the need for the Biden administration to fulfill its promise to restore access to asylum and keep families together as we emerge from the pandemic and move forward at the border.

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04 MAR 2022

DC Circuit Court Ruling Creates Cracks in Title 42, Primes Biden Administration to Fully Revoke Title 42

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the D.C. Circuit Court ruled that DHS cannot use Title 42 public health authorities to expel people to countries where they are likely to suffer torture or persecution. The ruling will become final soon unless the Biden administration chooses to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, a move that would be contrary to the expert recommendations of health professionals and nongovernmental organizations. This decision reinforces widespread concern that by expelling people to Haiti (over 14,000 since January 2021) where violence is rapidly increasing and individuals are at risk of persecution, DHS is violating U.S. law.  Sergio Gonzales, the Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, issued the following statement:

“The D.C. Circuit Court’s ruling puts a pin on what we and health care experts have long expressed: our government should not use Title 42 to deny and deport people to countries where they may face persecution or torture. Just as President Biden encouraged us during his State of the Union address, it’s time for America’s roaring comeback where we can finally put the days of COVID-19 behind us and return to a sense of normalcy.”

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04 MAR 2022

Hub Highlights: President Biden Grants TPS to Ukraine While Republicans Disgrace America with Attacks Against Children

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the Biden administration announced it will designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukraine nationals currently in the country. According to the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 75,000 non-U.S. citizen Ukrainians could be eligible for TPS status.

“No one in America should have to be removed or live under the threat of deportation to a country in war or violent conflict,” stated Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “We stand with the American public in welcoming and applauding President Biden’s decision to provide protections to Ukrainians in our communities. It’s this act of humanitarianism by past and current administrations that Americans have always supported because it reflects the best of who we are and what our leadership means to the world. No matter our political affiliation, Americans have always understood the plight of those who flee persecution, disasters or dangerous conditions. It’s all the more reason that President Biden should fully exercise what Congress intended with this tool and issue TPS for Cameroon to save the lives of Cameroonians in America who risk being sent back to a country beset in active armed conflict. The U.S. Department of State has held up the decision on TPS for Cameroon for too long. It’s time to get past the hesitation and act on our commitment to humanitarianism the same way we have with Ukraine nationals in America.”

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03 MAR 2022

Immigration Hub Proudly Supports Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, DC - The Immigration Hub is proud to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

“We embrace Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, and look forward to the day she takes her seat at the Bench,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Judge Jackson has a history of fairness and integrity that transcends politics, and a multi-faceted legal career that will benefit the Court and this country. From her time as a public defender, to her service on the U.S. Sentencing Commission and now as a federal judge, Judge Jackson’s background is varied, broad, and deep. She must be confirmed without delay.”

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02 MAR 2022

Immigration Hub Commends Biden for Issuing TPS for Sudan and South Sudan, Calls for Broadest Use of TPS Protection

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Biden administration announced the extension and redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan, and as well as a new designation of TPS for Sudan.

“The Biden administration is using Temporary Protected Status exactly as Congress intended: to save lives,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “We applaud this protection for people from Sudan and South Sudan and urge the administration to use its authority in the broadest way possible to designate additional countries for protection.” 

“TPS is a safety valve, a commitment that we will not deport people to countries where their lives are in danger. Sadly, a combination of authoritarianism, terrorism, and climate disasters today makes safe return to countries like Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Mali, Mauritania, and other nations impossible.

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01 MAR 2022

Immigration Hub Applauds President Biden’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to President Biden’s State of the Union address, the Immigration Hub’s Sergio Gonzales issued the following statement:

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown us that we are in a defining moment in history. One in which dictators and autocrats continue to challenge the very foundations of democracy. In his quest for greater power, Vladimir Putin consistently uses misinformation to rally Russians to his side. These are the same tactics that President Trump so famously applied with an all out assault on immigrants, and that Republican leaders have chosen to continue today. Leading up to tonight’s address, leaders of the Republican Party centered their argument to the American public on an imagined hyper-conflict at the southern border - not on all the hard working people in the country who have sustained our economic recovery or on solutions to ensure families remain together. From the House Minority Leader to the head of the NRSC, Republicans continue to use immigration as a weapon to spread fallacies and hatred. 

“In stark contrast to the Republican Party and true to our American values, President Biden stressed his commitment to reversing the cruelty of the past and repairing our immigration system by centering the people who have made our communities and economy stronger.

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23 FEB 2022

Ahead of SOTU, Groups Release 2022 Immigration Priorities for the Biden-Harris Administration

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, ahead of the State of the Union, 26 immigrant rights’ organizations released key immigration policy priorities for the Biden-Harris administration, 2022 Immigration Priorities: A Blueprint for the Biden-Harris Administration, detailing actions that the president should take this year to fulfill his campaign promises for a modern and fair immigration system. The report also provides a review of actions taken by President Biden and Vice President Harris in year one of their administration. 

In 2021, the Biden administration laid out an ambitious immigration plan, aiming to reverse or terminate the previous administration’s egregious, anti-immigrant policies and deliver policies to humanize, modernize and strengthen America’s immigration system. President Biden has implemented dozens of policies that center a humane and safe approach to the system and revoked or eliminated 235 of the 1,000-plus policies put in place by former President Trump. However, important and immediate measures must be aggressively taken this year to reimagine and reform America’s immigration system by prioritizing the safety of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants and routing out discrimination and anti-Blackness in the immigration system through administrative actions that range from designating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to all eligible countries to investing in programs that respond to regional migration and humanitarian challenges, among other critical efforts.

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16 FEB 2022

The Biden Administration Must Fulfill Campaign Promises and Issue TPS for Cameroon

WASHINGTON, DC - As Cameroon continues to face harrowing humanitarian crises, compounded with the dangerous presence of Boko Haram, Cameroonians in the United States remain at risk of deportation. Previously, the Trump administration had sent hundreds of asylum seekers back to Cameroon where they faced persecution, torture and oppression in the hands of state agents, according to a Human Rights Watch report. While the Biden-Harris administration halted one deportation flight to Cameroon in February, flights have resumed, sending Cameroonians back to dangerous and potentially lethal conditions. The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State are currently considering whether to issue Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroonians already living in the U.S.

Kerri Talbot, the Immigration Hub’s Deputy Director, affirmed, “The administration should immediately issue Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Cameroon. There should be no reluctance to do so given the incredibly alarming and urgent situation in Cameroon and the fact that the conditions in the country meet the qualifications for a TPS designation.

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14 FEB 2022

Opposition Grows Against Gov. DeSantis’s Executive Order and Political Stunts As Republican Candidates Ramp Up Anti-Immigrant Attacks

WASHINGTON, DC - Following his September 2021 executive order barring service providers and businesses in Florida from sheltering, transporting, and caring for unaccompanied migrant children as they are reunified with their families, Governor Ron DeSantis has doubled down with political stunts and attacks. Last week, the governor held a roundtable where he made false claims about President Biden’s efforts to reunify unaccompanied migrant children, going as far as to demean the children.

In response, there has been a groundswell of opposition from faith, business, community and political leaders:

  • Archbishop Wenski: “[N]o child should be deemed disgusting, especially by a public servant.” On Thursday, February 10, Archbishop Thomas Wenski joined former Miami Dade College president Eduardo Padrón and business leader, Tony Argiz - who came to the U.S. through Operation Pedro Pan when he was nine - in a press conference with several community leaders from the American Business Immigration Coalition, IMPAC Fund, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and the Venezuelan American Alliance.

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02 FEB 2022

Hub Highlights: Florida Gov. DeSantis’s Actions Against Immigrant Children, Service Providers and Businesses Reflects the 2022 GOP Scam

WASHINGTON, DC - This time last year in response to the former administration’s reprehensible treatment and approach to immigrants and refugees, President Biden outlined through an executive order his administration’s plan to address the root causes of migration within the Western Hemisphere and restore and strengthen the nation’s asylum system. His blueprint echoes his campaign promises to not only reverse and rebuild a dysfunctional and cruel immigration system, but also keep families together and offer lasting protections to America’s immigrant families. Today, the Biden-Harris administration has an opportunity to stabilize the region and fulfill their campaign promise with an incredible human impact to immigrant workers and families already in the U.S. by issuing a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Guatemala and redesignating TPS for El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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02 FEB 2022

President Biden Can Deliver on His Campaign Promise and Blueprint to Manage Migration by Extending TPS to America’s Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - This time last year in response to the former administration’s reprehensible treatment and approach to immigrants and refugees, President Biden outlined through an executive order his administration’s plan to address the root causes of migration within the Western Hemisphere and restore and strengthen the nation’s asylum system. His blueprint echoes his campaign promises to not only reverse and rebuild a dysfunctional and cruel immigration system, but also keep families together and offer lasting protections to America’s immigrant families. Today, the Biden-Harris administration has an opportunity to stabilize the region and fulfill their campaign promise with an incredible human impact to immigrant workers and families already in the U.S. by issuing a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Guatemala and redesignating TPS for El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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26 JAN 2022

VP Harris’s Visit to Honduras Underscores the Crucial Need to Continue to Address Root Causes of Migration and Extend TPS to Central American Immigrants in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, DC - Tomorrow, Vice President Kamala Harris will lead a delegation to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for the presidential inauguration of Xiomara Castro. The attendance of the Vice President and the delegation represents continued efforts to work with Mexico and Central American countries to address the root causes of migration. The visit, however, also underscores the crucial need to accelerate work on shared regional solutions to address migration in the western hemisphere. Climate change and natural disasters, violence, ongoing political strife and the devastating impacts of COVID-19 continue to force people to leave their homes in search of safety. These factors stress why the Biden administration should extend or re-designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Central American immigrants currently in the United States as a crucial part of its regional work.

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02 DEC 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on The Reimplementation of MPP ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy

WASHINGTON, DC -Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the court-ordered reimplementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as ‘Remain in Mexico’. The Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Sergio Gonzales, issued the following statement in response:

"MPP denies people the right to seek asylum and exposes tens of thousands of individuals and families to real, damaging, and even life-threatening harm as they await processing of their asylum cases in U.S. immigration courts. MPPwas designed to be cruel and dangerous as an ineffective deterrence mechanism and no amount of humanitarian measures can protect against its rotten core. Secretary Mayorkas reached the same conclusion when he issued a second memo to terminate MPP in October.

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19 NOV 2021

The Immigration Hub Applauds Passage of the Reconciliation Package with Immigration Provisions

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Democratic House members passed the Build Back Better Act including an immigration permit program that would allow 7 million undocumented immigrants to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation. The provisions respond to overwhelming voter support for lasting protections for undocumented immigrants. Poll after poll has shown that over 70% of voters support work permits and protection from deportation for Dreamers and undocumented immigrants.  

In response, Immigration Hub’s Executive Director Sergio Gonzalesreleased the following statement:

“Every day, undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for years wake up to go to work and help keep our country going. They harvest our crops, care for our loved ones, and run small businesses that support local economies. And every day, these same workers must live in constant fear of deportation and losing their home and families. The Build Back Better Act passed out of the House today, under Speaker Pelosi’s leadership, would transform millions of lives by providing long overdue protections from deportation for undocumented communities.  

“We thank all of our congressional leaders, President Biden and Vice President Harris who have fought to ensure the inclusion of critical immigration reforms in the Build Back Better Act, and have brought us closer than ever to the finish line of passing real protections for immigrant communities.

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18 NOV 2021

Fact Sheet: Immigrants Will Add $17 Billion to Economy Through Immigration Reform in the Build Back Better Act

Research shows Build Back Better’s immigration plan would strengthen the U.S. economic recovery, address worker shortages and make the U.S. more competitive.

WASHINGTON, DC - Recent data analyzing the impact of immigration reforms in the Build Back Better Act show immense economic benefits for the United States. Lasting protections, as included in the legislation, for nearly 7.1 million  Dreamers and undocumented immigrants who have lived in the United States for over 10 years would contribute to the economy, raise tax revenue, help relieve the current worker shortage, raise wages for all Americans, and strengthen the nation’s competitiveness.

Among the measures in the Build Back Better Act (BBB), the immigration permit program would authorize Dreamers, farm workers, TPS holders and other undocumented immigrants, who have been in the country for over 10 years, to stay and work lawfully without the fear of deportation. The New American Economy estimates that undocumented immigrants already contribute $30.6 billion in taxes and $214.8 billion in spending power through their small businesses. By finally passing immigration reform through the BBB, Congress would not only help rebuild the country’s immigration system, but also bolster American businesses, local economies and workers’ wages while transforming the lives of millions of mixed-status families across the country. 

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17 NOV 2021

North American Leaders’ Summit is an Opportunity to Strengthen Regional Response to Global Migration

WASHINGTON, DC - As many families remember the anniversary of twin hurricanes that devastated Central America and displaced millions a year ago today, President Biden will host the North American Leaders’ Summit (NALS) to strengthen and address the regional responsibility to notable challenges, including migration policy.

“After four years of Trump’s failed leadership that showed little to no regard in addressing the causes of forced migration, we will finally witness an administration taking an innovative and meaningful approach to a global challenge,” stated Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “NALS is an opportunity to bring together Canada and Mexico as partners to advance ideas, policies and cooperation aimed at tackling climate change and economic and political instability impacting regional migration. No country can do it alone. Just a year ago, the homes and livelihoods of millions of Central Americans were destroyed by two hurricanes. Haiti today faces the dangerous aftermath of an earthquake and a coup. President Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau and President López Obrador all share the responsibility to move forward a new vision for the region where all people can thrive and where migrants and refugees are welcomed with humanity and not as threats.”

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05 NOV 2021

Hub Statement: Don’t Let America Down, Pass the Build Back Better Act

WASHINGTON, DC - As House Democrats continue to deliberate on the Build Back Better legislation, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, Kerri Talbot, issued the following statement:

“House Democrats are on the cusp of delivering on the promises that elected President Biden and gave the party the power to enact life-changing policies. There shouldn’t be any more delay or holdouts - Democrats must immediately pass the Build Back Better Act today.

“One of the most significant reforms in this legislation would allow millions of undocumented people a chance to gain work authorization and protection from deportation. For far too long, the American people have demanded that Congress deliver legislation to address the most obvious problem in our outdated immigration system-- a failure to offer protections from deportation for families who have lived and worked here for years. While it’s not a path to citizenship that undocumented families have so rightfully earned, a transformative solution still stands before Congress. The immigration permit program in the Build Back Better Act centers historic relief for families and recovery for all.

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03 NOV 2021

Election Analysis: Don’t Run Away from Race or Immigration, Lean In, Deliver Big to Energize Voters in 2022

Key Takeaways of Analysis: 

  • Virginia Gubernatorial Lessons of the Past and Now Show that When Weaponized Wedge Issues Go Unanswered, Democrats Lose

  • 2022 Will See Right-wing Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Black Attacks Revved Up; the Answer Isn’t Running Away from Race and Immigration

  • Democrats Must Deliver on the Promises That Gave Them the Majority, including Immigration 

WASHINGTON, DC - As more data continues to paint the picture of the Virginia gubernatorial election, the results and early monitoring of ad and misinformation campaigns demonstrate key takeaways and lessons that should be heeded by Democrats as they deliberate on immigration in reconciliation and gear up for 2022. While the instinct for some may be to steer clear from “progressive” or wedge issues, such as immigration, the past and present gubernatorial races in Virginia prove otherwise. Additionally, with Republicans revving up their attacks on race and immigration, the Immigration Hub has repeatedly found that when anti-immigrant or anti-Black attacks go unanswered, Republicans fill in the blanks, frame the Democratic positioning on the issue, and pick up critical swing votes.  

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03 NOV 2021

Immigration Hub Responds to Build Back Better Act’s Immigration Provisions

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, House Democrats released the text of the Build Back Better Act, including a revised immigration proposal that would offer work permits and protection from deportation for over seven million immigrants. 

 In response, Kerri Talbot, the Immigration Hub’s Deputy Director, issued the following statement:

“Thanks to Democratic members of Congress, including immigrant rights champions in the CHC, who have committed to including immigration in reconciliation, House Democrats have moved forward an immigration permit program that will protect millions of families from deportation and ensure that immigrant workers can continue to aid America’s recovery.

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29 OCT 2021

The Biden Administration Issues Memo and Files Court Motion to Terminate the Cruel, Trump-Era ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy, Immigration Hub Responds

Washington, DC – In a memorandum released today, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas announced the termination of the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), otherwise known as ‘Remain in Mexico’. Concurrently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a motion to vacate related litigation in the 5th Circuit that has been a roadblock to ending the program.

This is the administration’s second effort to terminate MPP. In August, a District Court in Texas ordered a nationwide and permanent injunction on the administration’s first memorandum to end MPP. The administration appealed that decision to the 5th Circuit, and with today’s filing is seeking to vacate the District Court’s findings and injunction as moot and to remand the 5th Circuit case to the District Court for further proceedings.

We welcome the administration’s proactive approach to doing away with another cruel Trump policy. MPP forced tens of thousands of migrants and refugees to wait in dangerous Mexican border regions for the adjudication of their asylum claims. While waiting, more than 7000 of them suffered kidnappings, assaults, robberies, and other violence.

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29 OCT 2021

Hub Highlights: Congress and President Biden Make Strides Towards Long-Awaited Immigration Reform

Washington, DC – This week, Democrats announced the framework for the sweeping Build Back Better bill, including $100 billion committed to immigration reform. The milestone comes as state and local officials, Latino leaders, and advocates have continued to pressure Democrats to deliver lasting protections for undocumented communities as part of the reconciliation legislation. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memorandum on ‘protected areas’ for immigration enforcement, expanding the list of locations, previously known as ‘sensitive sites’.

The Build Back Better Legislation Framework Includes Immigration Reform

After weeks of negotiations and mounting pressure, congressional Democrats announced this week an agreement on the framework for the Build Back Better (BBB) reconciliation bill that includes immigration reform in the form of a registry date change that would allow undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States before 1972 to apply for a green card. According to a recent Hub poll, this proposal is supported by more than two in three battleground voters. The framework ensures that inclusion of lasting protections for undocumented immigrants remains an essential part of the bill as Senate Democrats prepare to meet with the Senate Parliamentarian on a new proposal outlining an immigration permit program for more than 7 million undocumented immigrants.

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28 OCT 2021

Immigration Advances in the Build Back Better Legislation Framework

Washington, DC – After weeks of negotiations and mounting pressure, congressional Democrats announced today an agreement on the framework for the Build Back Better (BBB) reconciliation bill that includes immigration reform provisions. The framework ensures that inclusion of lasting protections for undocumented immigrants remains an essential part of the bill as Senate Democrats prepare to meet with the Senate Parliamentarian on a new proposal outlining an immigration permit program for more than 7 million undocumented immigrants. More than seventy-percent of the American public, including key voting blocs such as the Latino electorate, supports lasting protections and a path to citizenship.

In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, stated:

“Today brings us one step closer to finally delivering for workers, our economy and for millions of immigrants and their families. The inclusion of immigration in the reconciliation framework reflects what leading economists and immigration advocates have been saying all along: our economic recovery and the hope of ‘building back better’ must include a bold, long overdue solution for undocumented communities…

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21 OCT 2021

Reps. Espaillat, García, Correa, Escobar, Cárdenas and Latino Leaders Demand Lasting Protections for Undocumented Communities

Washington, DC – Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and national Latino leaders held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to demand lasting protections for undocumented immigrants and their families, emphasizing the vast contributions of immigrants to our economy and local communities and underscoring the political power Latinos have in demanding urgent solutions. The event was held as Senate Democrats continue to negotiate the inclusion of immigration reform in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill. 

“Immigrants are the heroes that got us through the pandemic. How is it that we’re going to allocate trillions of dollars and not include them in the package? That makes it morally bankrupt,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “We have several proposals that the Senate has put forward for the parliamentarian. But in fact, we need the collective will of the House, the Senate and the White House. We are in control, and we should have the political will to bring some level of help to immigrants while we spend three trillion dollars. That’s not a lot to ask for people who put their lives on the line during the pandemic for all of us.”

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19 OCT 2021

Latino Political Power on Display with Growing Actions to Demand Lasting Protections for Undocumented Immigrants

Washington, DC – As Democrats in Congress work to move forward the Build Back Better legislation before the end of the year, leading Latino voices and organizations are working together to demand lasting protections for undocumented immigrants via the reconciliation package. Co-organized by the Hispanic Federation, LULAC, UnidosUS, and Voto Latino, and joined by Latino advocates, leaders and allies across the country, including the Immigration Hub, several activities are launching this week with this clear message. This includes grassroots mobilizations, a letter released by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) and signed by more than 40 organizations urging Congress to pass strong protections for immigration, and a press conference tomorrow at 12:00 PM ET at the House Triangle of the U.S. Capitol with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

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19 OCT 2021

New Poll: Battleground Voters Strongly Support Democratic Proposals for Undocumented Immigrants, Delivering Solution Crucial to Energizing Unmotivated Democrats in 2022

2022 Opportunity: Delivering Citizenship or Lasting Protections for Undocumented Immigrants Can Energize Unmotivated Democratic Voters and Improve Biden and Democrats’ Standing on Immigration

Read Battleground Poll Findings

Washington, DC – In anticipation of Democratic Senators’ meeting with the Senate Parliamentarian on the next immigration proposal for the reconciliation package, the Immigration Hub is releasing the results of a new battleground poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group. Surveying voters in eight battleground states, the poll found that voters, across the political spectrum, strongly support Democratic proposals that offer a path to citizenship or another form of protection, including an immigration permit program that would offer nearly 8 million undocumented immigrants the ability to remain in the U.S. and work lawfully without the fear of deportation.

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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 repesent 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?

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15 OCT 2021

Immigration Hub Statement Against the Continuation of MPP and other Inhumane Trump Immigration Policies

Washington, DC – In a statement today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intention to reinstate the Trump-era Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) consistent with a 5th Circuit decision that ordered good-faith steps toward reimplementation. The Trump policy, also known as Remain in Mexico, forced thousands of migrants and refugees to wait in dangerous Mexican border regions as their claims to asylum were being adjudicated in U.S. tent courts. The long wait led to thousands of vulnerable migrants suffering sexual and other violent assault, kidnapping, and in some cases death. Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:

“MPP and Title 42 are an affront to the very moral fiber of our country. These policies have real, damaging, and even life-threatening consequences for thousands of migrants who are lawfully seeking asylum and access to our immigration system. They were designed to be cruel, and simply cannot be implemented humanely. The American people want a working immigration system that is orderly, fair and humane, not a continuation of Stephen Miller’s racist and abhorrent policies. We urge the administration to issue a new memo immediately to end MPP and Title 42 once and for all. When lives are on the line, delay is not an option.”

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14 OCT 2021

Immigration Hub Statement in Support of National Actions for Black Migrants

Washington, DC – This week marks the National Week of Action for Black Migrants, driven by the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), and today, Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) is also leading a Day of Action for Black Migrants. Black leaders, organizers, and allies across the U.S. are joining forces and demanding action that directly addresses racial injustice in the nation’s immigration system, including ending Title 42, ending expulsions and deportations, and providing humanitarian parole for Black asylum seekers. Below is a statement in solidarity from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:

“We need to do better as a country to center the rights and demands of Black communities and to move beyond rhetoric to meaningful action that addresses the systemic racial inequities in immigration and across our society. This week, and every week, should serve as an urgent call to action to recognize and commit to addressing the rights of Black immigrants, who face discrimination and unique roadblocks within our immigration system. Many Black migrants arrive at our southern border in need of refuge. They hail from different regions, including the Caribbean and Africa, and represent a diversity of cultures, languages, and experiences. What unites them with all other migrants is the refuge they seek in the promise of America and their equal right to access our asylum and immigration processes and resources.

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14 OCT 2021

Debunking Right-wing Myths About the Southern Border

Immigration Hub is exposing some of the most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration perpetuated by Republican and right-wing actors. Today, we wrap up our series by debunking two myths about the southern border.

Washington, DC MYTH: Trump did a better job securing the border and managing immigration, and Biden has made it worse. Elected Republican officials are blaming the Biden Administration and providing cover for themselves and their party whose policies have failed. 

  • @AdamLaxalt: Biden “inherited” a safe and secure national border. Under Trump, border crossings and human and drug trafficking were at all-time lows. Now, we have a disaster at our border thanks to the #BidenBorderCrisis

  • .@CawthornforNC: Joe and Kamala are responsible for the crisis at the Southern Border, NOT Trump, NOT Republicans, and NOT the Border Patrol. Playing the blame game is what the Left does best.
     

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. In fact, Trump’s policies, Republican obstruction on immigration solutions, and Republican gubernatorial freelancing has worsened an already broken system.

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13 OCT 2021

New Democratic Immigration Proposal for Reconciliation Would Offer Lasting Protections for Nearly 8 Million Immigrants

Washington, DC – Today, The New York Times reported that Senate Democrats will be presenting a new immigration proposal for reconciliation to the Senate Parliamentarian. The legalization proposal would allow qualifying undocumented immigrants to gain work authorization, protections from deportation, ability to travel and access to health care.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, responded to the report, “Despite our strong disagreement with the Parliamentarian’s assessment on the previous proposals, Senate Democrats are moving forward a solution that clearly meets the threshold she has set. There is no true economic recovery without ensuring lasting protections for communities such as Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and other essential workers who have been critical in helping our country get through one of our darkest times. While — make no mistake — we will continue to fight for a pathway to citizenship, this legalization proposal would grant millions of undocumented immigrants the ability to live and work without the fear of deportation. The impact of this proposal would be monumental. Millions of workers and families would be able to work, access health care, travel abroad to reunite with families they have longed to embrace and simply cherish their communities without the looming threat of it all being taken away from them.

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12 OCT 2021

DHS Releases Memo on Worksite Enforcement, Immigration Hub Responds

Washington, DC – Today, 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. Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, in response:

“The new DHS memo is a major win for workers and families. More than just about the much-needed safety measures for worksites, this is a significant policy shift that centers the rights of all workers and recognizes that we can no longer be a country that separates families. We all know too well the devastating consequences of mass raids on children and loved ones. Relief from such a threat is tremendously powerful and welcomed.

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12 OCT 2021

Dear David Shor, Immigration is Not a Political Loser

Washington, DC – 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. While Klein made valid points and showcased key examples on how Democrats can motivate voters, in many instances throughout the opinion piece, 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.”

As the Immigration Hub has consistently noted since 2017 via polling, digital testing and other research, the notion that immigration is a political loser for Democrats has created bad political habits, such as ignoring immigration attacks or failing to talk immigration to their voters at all.

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08 OCT 2021

Hub Highlights: Direct Actions at Nation’s Capital and Across Country Call on Democrats to Move Forward Immigration Reform in Reconciliation

Washington, DC – This week, advocates, lawmakers and directly-impacted people held demonstrations and civil disobedience actions, sent letters and upped their calls for Democrats to provide citizenship and lasting protections for undocumented immigrants through reconciliation or any other means necessary. With a majority of Americans supporting advancing citizenship for undocumented immigrants, a groundswell of urgency continues to grow for Democrats in Congress to deliver on an immigration solution via reconciliation or face a challenging midterm election.

Highlights to Follow:

This week, pro-immigrant Actions in Washington, D.C. included: 

  • No Recovery Without Immigrants: Immigrant Youth Demanded Biden and Democrats Deliver Citizenship This Year: On Wednesday, immigrant youth and allies from United We Dream Action, NAKASEC, CASA, Church World Service, We Are Home, and others took action in front of the White House to demand President Biden and Democrats provide a pathway to citizenship through reconciliation.

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07 OCT 2021

Republican Propaganda Falsely Equates Migrants with Crime

This week, Immigration Hub will expose five of the most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration perpetuated by Republican and right-wing actors. Today, we debunk the myth that broadly paints migrants at our southern border as criminals.

Washington, DC MYTH: Migrants are criminals and rapists, bringing drugs into our communities and endangering our families. The party of Trump, including right-wing elected officials and other actors, hope to win political points by sowing fear and distrust of immigrants, a strategy that stirs voters into action through misinformation and dangerous, outright lies. This offensive rhetoric has very real and violent repercussions in communities across the United States and tears at our democracy. Yesterday, Senator Ted Cruz showed exactly how laser-focused the Republican rhetoric is on scapegoating immigrants when he callously pivoted from extending his hope for the survival of the victims of the Timberview High School shooting to blaming the "Biden Border Crisis". Senator Cruz revealed the political calculations Republicans are making to distract from their failures on kitchen-table issues and, once again, stoke fear against immigrants to score political points.

  • @NRCC: Cartels are recruiting minors to traffic illegal immigrants across the US-Mexico border because the US Justice Department won't prosecute Mexican minors for smuggling migrants. The Biden Admin has ceded control of the border to cartels. #BidenBorderCrisis.

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06 OCT 2021

Republicans Claim Immigration Hurts U.S. Economy, the Opposite is True

This week, Immigration Hub will expose the five most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration. Here, we debunk the Republican and right-wing myth that immigration reforms would have a negative impact on the economy.

Washington, DC MYTH: “Mass amnesty” will cost billions of dollars and negatively impact the economy, hurting Americans. Not only is the terminology inaccurate, but this baseless claim has been perpetuated by elected GOP members of Congress, candidates and Stephen Miller, Trump’s notoriously unqualified and racist immigration advisor, to create voter anxiety over a scarcity of resources and public safety: 

  • @StephenM: Turning illegals into US Citizens is not budget reform: it’s the most devastatingly consequential societal change conceivable. (The solely incidental effect is the longterm deficit explosion from making low-wage illegal aliens eligible for welfare, tax credits and entitlements).

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05 OCT 2021

Immigration and COVID-19: Republicans Continue to Scapegoat Immigrants and Drive False, Racist Narratives

This week, Immigration Hub will expose five of the most egregious and pervasive myths about immigration. Today, we debunk the Republican and right-wing myth that immigrants drive spikes in COVID-19.

Washington, DC – Republicans will try anything and everything to distract from their own failed policies to combat the pandemic, including obstructing immigration reforms by relying on racist fearmongering, lies and political theater that target and blame immigrants for a rise in cases. 

MYTH: Immigrants Are Responsible for Spreading COVID-19.
False narratives perpetuated by elected GOP members of Congress, candidates and the official Republican Party include: 

  • @Miller_Congress: “The Biden-Harris Democrats have decided to open our southern border for any foreign national to cross with no vetting, no testing, and no end in sight. #ImpeachBiden.”

  • @laurenboebert: “If Democrats truly wanted to “slow the spread” of COVID-19, our Southern Border would not be processing over 200,000 illegals every month.”

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04 OCT 2021

Leading Experts Highlight the Dangers of Misinformation Targeted at Migrants and Voters, Need for Independent Monitoring

Washington, DC – Today, leading independent researchers from NYU Cybersecurity for Democracy, the Tech Transparency Project, EquisLabs and GQR discussed how targeted messaging and misinformation to both migrants, including Haitians, and the American public greatly contribute to political and policy challenges on immigration. Experts also highlighted the urgent need for government oversight and greater transparency by social media companies, as well as protections for independent researchers, to shed light on the full-scale social and political impact of misinformation campaigns focused on immigration, among other issues.

As Facebook faces congressional oversight, unregulated misinformation can have grave consequences on America’s democracy and immigration system. Republicans and right-wing groups have poured tens of millions of dollars in digital ads, employing racist immigrant tropes and misinformation in order to mislead the public. As the 2022 midterm elections near, ads and unchecked xenophobic or false online content will only continue to proliferate, as demonstrated by the recent report published by Immigration Hub and America’s Voice.

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01 OCT 2021

Hub Highlights: Demand for Immigration Reform in Build Back Better Legislation Intensifies, Republicans Continue to Resort to Fear-Mongering

Washington, DC – As congressional Democrats continue to work around the clock to pass the Build Back Better reconciliation package and deliver on President Biden’s agenda, calls continue to grow demanding the inclusion of lasting protections for undocumented immigrants. With time running out, leaders, organizations, and editorial boards around the nation, including in key battleground states, are making clear this is an opportunity Democrats cannot afford to miss. 

Highlights to Follow:

  • Former Director of Domestic Policy Council Pushes Back Against Parliamentarian on Immigration Proposal: Cecilia Muñoz, Former Director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Obama White House and current Senior Advisor at New America, wrote an opinion piecearguing that the Senate Parliamentarian “had to work plenty hard” and employed “egregious reasoning” to arrive at her decision to disallow an immigration proposal to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders and essential workers from the reconciliation process.

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01 OCT 2021

Statement on Florida Governor DeSantis’ Actions Against Migrants

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration and issued an executive order under the pretense of protecting Floridians from migrants — including refugees, children and other vulnerable individuals — being relocated to the state. The governor called on state agencies to withhold assistance, and ordered a series of scare tactics, including the gathering of information on the number and identities of individual migrants and stricter e-verify enforcement, placing targets on the backs of agencies, children and families.

In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, stated:

“Governor DeSantis’ actions waste tax-payer dollars and capitalize on racist ‘invasion’ rhetoric and the vilification of migrants and refugees. The ordered detention of vehicles suspected of transporting undocumented migrants is just one example of egregious actions that will result in increased racial profiling and other discriminatory actions against immigrants and people of color…

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29 SEP 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Senate Parliamentarian’s Opinion on Democratic Immigration Proposal

Washington, DC – Today, according to news reports, Senate Democrats met with the Senate Parliamentarian to get a better sense of her concerns on the immigration proposal for the reconciliation process that she outlined after the first Byrd bath. Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, in response to the disappointing parliamentarian decision:

“The disappointment for our immigrant community and its allies has been great, and anger is boiling. We have seen over the past month a massive outpouring of demands and collective action on many fronts to see citizenship pass through reconciliation. This hard work, building over decades, has not been in vain and will not be abandoned by a misguided decision. Democrats have the power to deliver on a bold vision for our country that could strengthen the future of our schools, cities and towns, public health — and undoubtedly it must include a lasting solution that will allow undocumented immigrants to fully thrive along fellow Americans.

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28 SEP 2021

House Science Committee Hearing on Disinformation Highlights the Spread of Anti-Immigrant and Hate Speech

Washington, DC – Today, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee (Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight) held a hearing on the disinformation “black box” of social media and the lack of access to data for independent researchers, nonprofit organizations, and the public. Laura Edelson, Co-Director of Cybersecurity for Democracy and founder of the New York University Ad Observatory project, testified that Facebook intentionally targeted her team, revoking access to data that would shed light on the massive volume of dis- and misinformation tactics deployed through social media platforms, which make it difficult for civil society organizations to identify and monitor ads and online content that spread false narratives against vulnerable groups, such as migrants, immigrant communities, and people of color.

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24 SEP 2021

Rep. Castro Joins Latino Leaders Calling to Deliver Permanent Protections for Undocumented Immigrants

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joaquín Castro (TX-20) joined prominent Latino leaders and immigration advocates to reiterate the urgency for Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship this year. They called on Democrats to employ any mechanism at their disposal to do so, in spite of the Senate parliamentarian’s initial ruling against the inclusion of a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders, and essential workers in the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill. 

“There have been very few instances where the party who leads on immigration reform controls both the White House and Congress. Democrats cannot afford to miss another opportunity to deliver on citizenship,” said Rep. Joaquín Castro (TX-20). “Millions of people’s lives have been in limbo, and many risked their lives during the pandemic to work while the rest of us stayed at home. This is an issue that has strong bipartisan agreement; in many polls, more than two-thirds of Americans agree that Dreamers should be provided a pathway to citizenship. It is imperative that Congress gets this done, whether it’s through changing the date of the registry, or any avenue available.” 

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23 SEP 2021

Battleground States Mount Pressure on Democrats to Deliver A Path to Citizenship

Washington, DC – Business leaders and elected officials in Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, key battleground states in the upcoming 2022 midterms, have joined a majority of voters across the U.S. demanding a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders and essential workers. The growing chorus includes voices from local and state leaders as well as directly impacted immigrants, raising the stakes for Democrats as they propose an alternative option for a pathway to citizenship via reconciliation after the Senate parliamentarian’s initial disappointing decision this week.

Demand for action across all three states includes:

  • 74 CEOs wrote to Florida members of Congress asking them to actively support a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and essential workers. In her op-ed, Aida Levitan, president of The Levitan Group and a signatory, wrote, “The hospitality, agricultural and other sectors are experiencing significant labor shortages. A legal pathway for undocumented workers would enable Florida employers to legally access one of the state’s most industrious labor markets.”

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20 SEP 2021

Treatment of Haitian Refugees is Unacceptable, Biden Administration Must Investigate and Hold CBP Accountable

Washington, DC – In response to the latest developments in Del Rio, Texas, the Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Sergio Gonzales, issued the following statement:

“The treatment of Haitian migrants at the southern border is unacceptable. Full stop. The actions of Customs and Border Patrol should be fully investigated and held accountable. As a nation that aspires to live up to the principles of freedom and justice, this federal agency’s reprehensible approach flies in the face of our American values and exemplifies a broken immigration system grounded in racism and cruel enforcement.

“Both the rhetoric we’ve heard today and images we’ve seen from the border have no place in the Biden-Harris administration’s vision for a modern, fair immigration system. Our words to children and families watching across Haiti and the world should not be a message of deterrence, but rather of hope, of solutions and our ability to do better by those seeking safety and refuge. 

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17 SEP 2021

Growing Chorus Outlines the Economic Benefits of a Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants

White House Council of Economic Advisors: Extending Permanent Legal Status Makes Economic Sense

Washington, DC – The White House Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) issued a blog today making the economic case for extending permanent legal status to undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, stated, “The CEA’s message today underscores what our leading economists and over 700 governors, mayors and local elected officials have been saying all along, a pathway to citizenship is crucial to a stronger economy and recovery. Now more than ever, our country needs a thriving workforce, and by allowing millions of immigrant workers and families to gain access to a functioning pathway to permanent residency and citizenship, America will benefit from incredible economic output, higher wages and taxes. While the GOP continues to peddle bigotry and fear-mongering to divide and misinform communities, voices from across the country make clear that the Democrat’s budget reconciliation package is exactly the right vehicle to provide a lasting solution for undocumented communities.”

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16 SEP 2021

Immigration Hub Statement: Deportations to Haiti Must Stop

Washington, DC – Yesterday, eighty-six Haitians were reportedly deported to Haiti. The country is currently facing the effects of a recent earthquake and the assassination of its president. In May 2021, the Biden Administration designated Haiti for TPS, recognizing that a growing political crisis, serious security concerns, and an increase in human rights abuses, among other factors, prevented Haitian nationals from safely returning. The Biden Administration immediately released funds to support Haiti’s people in the aftermath of the earthquake and pledged an additional $32 million on August 24 to support their recovery. However, dire conditions in Haiti continue to worsen, further underscoring the need to halt deportations of Haitians seeking refuge and safety at our borders.

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15 SEP 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Hispanic Heritage Month

Washington, DC – Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15 and runs through October 15.

As we embark on Hispanic Heritage Month, we reflect on the incredible contributions and history of Latinas and Latinos across this country. We honor the legacy and sacrifices of civil rights icons like César Chávez, Dolores Huerta and Rodolfo ‘Corky’ Gonzales who paved the way for a new generation of leaders, advocates, organizers and changemakers. And while we have made incredible progress because of their struggle and those who marched with them, so much remains to be done. Over the past several years, we have seen an alarming rise of racism and xenophobia across the country. We witnessed the rise of a President who openly spewed anti-immigrant and anti-Latino hate, and a political party that not only embraced him, but has adopted his platform…”

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15 SEP 2021

Senator Padilla, Immigration Advocates: We Need a Pathway to Citizenship Now

The event concludes the Inside Out 11M nation-wide tour, and marks the successful markup of the immigration legislation in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill

Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) joined impacted individuals and immigration advocates to call on Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship as part of the budget reconciliation process. 

“It’s past time for Congress to deliver the stability and security that immigrant families deserve,” said Senator Padilla. “We have a moral obligation to the millions of DACA recipients, TPS-holders, and essential workers who have risked their own lives every day working during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m proud to stand with the bipartisan majorities across the country that support passing much-needed reforms on immigration now.” 

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14 SEP 2021

Immigration Hub Applauds Biden Administration’s Progress on Reopening CAM to Manage Migration from the Region

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security announced the continued progress on reinstituting and improving the Central American Minors (CAM) program, which was terminated under the Trump administration, by officially reopening with trained partners to facilitate the processing of applicants and new eligibility expansions.

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, responded to the announcement, “True to President Biden's blueprint to reset and rebuild America's immigration system, we commend his administration for moving forward an important program that will allow children to reunite with their loved ones. The CAM program is a vital piece to addressing migration in the region and creating a fair and orderly process for families fleeing violence and persecution. We encourage the administration to continue making major headway, as these critical immigration solutions will strengthen America's moral and economic recovery." 

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14 SEP 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on House Judiciary Committee Markup of Immigration Legislation

Washington, DC – The United States House Committee on the Judiciary on Monday completed its markup of the legislative proposal associated with the budget reconciliation bill, including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders and essential workers. In response, Immigration Hub’s Executive Director Sergio Gonzales released the following statement:

“Today’s successful markup is a critical step forward in fulfilling what is long overdue - a path to citizenship that recognizes the enormous contributions of Dreamers, farm workers, TPS holders and essential workers. Citizenship for these vital members of our communities is a win for America. Economists support it; businesses and workers see its value; rural communities need it; and the American people want it…”

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10 SEP 2021

Hub Highlights: Support Grows for Immigration Moving Forward in Budget Reconciliation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, as reported in the media, the Senate Parliamentarian met with Democratic and Republican staffers to hear arguments on the inclusion of immigration proposals in budget reconciliation, an important step to fulfilling the will of a vast majority of Americans of both parties. 

This comes after a week of overwhelming support from elected officials across the country who have called for pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers,Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and essential workers via budget reconciliation, as well as desperate and divisive Republican misinformation campaigns in reaction.

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09 SEP 2021

New Report: GOP Revs Up Anti-Immigrant Ads and Misinformation in Lead Up to 2022, A Democratic Offense on Immigration Can Gain Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Immigration Hub and America’s Voice released a new report that tracks the content, volume and impact of right-wing paid ad and social media campaigns centered on immigration. As the GOP begins to ramp up its attacks against Afghan refugees in the US, the report previews messages that will dominate the 2022 midterms, aimed at undermining Biden’s agenda and unseating critical Democratic seats in the next election cycle. Findings also include results of a new study measuring the impact of GOP and pro-immigrant ads with battleground voters that show how Democrats still hold an advantage on immigration by going on offense.

“Republican and right-wing messages haven’t changed since Trump’s departure,” stated Beatriz Lopez, the Immigration Hub’s Chief Political and Communications Officer.

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09 SEP 2021

UPDATED: Over 100 Mayors Across 30 States Urge White House and Congressional Leaders to Deliver Citizenship Via Budget Reconciliation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, with 20 additional new signatories, 104 mayors sent an updated letter to President Biden, Vice President Harris, Majority Leader Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi calling for pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, essential workers, and their families via budget reconciliation. The additional 20 mayors signed on as immigration proposals are being considered on the Hill in the coming weeks, including a meeting with the Senate parliamentarian this Friday to hear arguments regarding the inclusion of immigration reform in budget reconciliation. Local officials have also recently joined the call for immigration action, with 715 local and state elected representatives sending a similar letter yesterday urging the passage of citizenship proposals in the budget reconciliation package.

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08 SEP 2021

A Path to Citizenship Meets the Litmus Test to Pass Via Reconciliation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the news of Friday’s meeting where Senate Democrats will make the case to include a path to citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS-holders and essential immigrant workers, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there is no question that a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants meets the litmus test to pass via reconciliation.

“There is both an economic and moral imperative to allow the millions of individuals who are part of America’s essential workforce to continue to contribute to our recovery. This isn’t controversial - this is about moving forward a solution with a large budgetary impact that has overwhelming bipartisan public support.

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24 AUG 2021

Immigration Hub Responds to House Vote Advancing Citizenship Proposals Through Budget Reconciliation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote today to move forward with a budget reconciliation deal that includes a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and other essential immigrant workers. 

“Today’s House vote to advance President Biden and Democrats’ citizenship proposals through the budget reconciliation process puts America’s immigrant communities the closest they’ve been to a path to citizenship in our country’s recent history. 

“There's no question that Democrats today are fulfilling the will of voters of all stripes. Citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders and essential workers continues to hold popular, bipartisan support. 

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24 AUG 2021

Immigration Hub: U.S. Supreme Court Gets It Wrong

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This evening, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s ruling to reinstate President Trump’s Remain in Mexico (MPP) program, following Justice Samuel Alito’s late Friday action to temporarily stay the lower court’s decision. In response, Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Sergio Gonzales, released the following statement: 

“It’s incredibly disappointing that a majority of the Supreme Court sided with right-wing, activist judges in Texas and the nativist motivations of the former administration to support a program so cruel and so unjust that it forced thousands of vulnerable mothers, fathers, children and families seeking asylum into camps at the risk of extreme violence. Put simply, the Supreme Court got it wrong and at the expense of human life.

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24 AUG 2021

Memo on Trump and Biden Policies: Trump’s Actions Failed Afghan Allies and Refugees, Exacerbating Today’s Immigration Challenge As Biden Evacuates Thousands Out of Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The recent developments in Afghanistan underscore the need to evacuate as many Afghan women, children and vulnerable families and minorities, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, from the region. Many of these individuals - including veterans and allies who provided critical assistance to the U.S. military - were already in considerable danger under the Trump administration due to their egregious policies that cut and gutted legal immigration and asylum processes for Afghans and many others across the globe. DHS Secretary Mayorkas’s announcement today, allowing at-risk Afghans without visas to enter the U.S. after passing security screenings, including those with pending Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications, is welcomed as massive efforts to evacuate Afghans continue to take place.

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21 AUG 2021

Immigration Hub Deputy Director Kerri Talbot On U.S. Supreme Court Decision On MPP

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late Friday night, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily blocked a lower court decision to reinstate President Trump’s Remain in Mexico (MPP) program, while the Court contemplates next steps. In response, Immigration Hub’s Deputy Director, Kerri Talbot, released the following statement:  

“The Trump Administration’s MPP program was not only cruel and inhumane, it was also unjust — and, the Biden Administration was absolutely correct in putting an end to it. Equally correct was the quick action taken last night by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to put a stop to an activist lower court’s dangerous decision to reinstate the policy.

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17 AUG 2021

Calls for Citizenship in Budget Reconciliation Intensify in Florida

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elected officials in Florida are ramping up their urgent calls for immigration reform to be included in the budget reconciliation process. From appeals to congressional leadership, to roundtable discussions and opinion pieces, Florida representatives including Rep. Val Demings, Charlie Crist, and Darren Soto are continuing to make the compelling moral, economic and public health arguments for citizenship proposals to be included in budget reconciliation. The calls come as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues his attempts to scapegoat immigrants for his own failures in the state’s COVID-19 response.

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16 AUG 2021

Immigration Hub: We Know Who We Should Be, And That’s an America that Welcomes Those Yearning To Be Free and Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following President Biden’s address on the current situation in Afghanistan, the Immigration Hub’s Sergio Gonzales issued a statement:

“The circumstances in Afghanistan are not easy to solve or let alone watch. But what we do know is that there are Afghan women, children and many vulnerable families and minorities such as LGBTQ+ individuals who should have an opportunity and an immediate path to refuge and safety in America.

“From Ellis Island to our southern border today, our country has the tradition, resources and the power to receive individuals and families fleeing violence, natural disasters and persecution. It’s part of who we are and who we continue to aspire to be — an America that welcomes those yearning to be free and safe.

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30 JULY 2021

As White House Moves Immigration Blueprint Forward, Democrats in Congress Must Fulfill Electoral Imperative for 2022: Citizenship

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Immigration Hub, People’s Action, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Voto Latino sent a memo to congressional Democrats, DCCC and DSCC outlining the political imperative of delivering on citizenship proposals for Dreamers, TPS-holders, farm workers and other undocumented immigrants via budget reconciliation. “Citizenship for undocumented immigrants in America can no longer remain an unfulfilled campaign promise for the Democratic Party,” the organizations wrote.

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29 JULY 2021

President Biden and VP Harris’s Immigration Blueprint and Strategy on Migration Tackles Greatest Challenges with Humanity, Order and Justice

Washington, DC — Following the Biden administration’s release of their comprehensive and bold immigration blueprint, Vice President Harris issued her strategy for addressing the root cause of migration from Central America — an essential anchor to the president’s plan to rebuild the nation’s immigration system and solve the problems left behind by Republicans. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to peddle attacks through Governor Abbott’s racial profiling executive order and efforts by members of Congress trying to derail the Build Back Better budget reconciliation package.

The Vice President’s strategy is central to managing the flow of migration by working in concert with Northern Triangle countries and NGOs while ensuring safety and sanctions against narcotic-traffickers and smugglers. The pillars of her plan stand in stark contrast to the GOP narratives of “crisis” and “drugs”.

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29 JULY 2021

Pressure Rises as States and Cities Call on Congress to Act on a Pathway to Citizenship

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Top officials across 29 states and 85 cities are coming together to call on Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship now. Momentum has continued to build in support of citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS-holders and essential workers as new data shows overwhelming bipartisan support for citizenship among people across the country. While Republican leaders attempt to fear-monger against immigrants and undermine efforts to include citizenship in budget reconciliation, state and local public officials are also speaking out through letters to Congress, statements, social media and conversations with the media to pressure Congress to act.

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14 JULY 2021

After Nearly A Decade, A Viable Path Forward for Citizenship for Dreamers and Immigrant Workers

WASHINGTON, DC - Following the release of the new Democratic “human infrastructure” budget proposal, the Immigration Hub’s Executive Director, Sergio Gonzales, issued a statement:

“Since 2013, there has not been an opportunity until today where we can confidently say there is a viable path forward to deliver citizenship for immigrant communities across America. Now more than ever, a modern immigration system that centers citizenship for families has become integral to our economic and moral recovery. It’s not just smart but long overdue to include citizenship as part of our collective vision to energize our economy, empower workers and communities, and build America’s future.

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13 JULY 2021

MEMO: Citizenship for Immigrants is Economically Smart and Viable via Budget Reconciliation

WASHINGTON, DC — As reported by the AP, Democrats and advocates are moving to deliver a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and essential workers via the budget reconciliation package. Due to its budget impact, as well as its ability to boost economic growth and create jobs, budget reconciliation is an appropriate legislative vehicle to pass immigration solutions, with both historic precedence and bipartisan overwhelming support from the American people.

“2021 is the year to deliver citizenship for immigrants and their families who stepped up to support our country throughout the pandemic while contributing to our economy. A path to citizenship for immigrant workers is not only supported by the vast majority of Americans, it is critical for the country’s continued economic recovery and our efforts to rebuild our communities’ infrastructure,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of Immigration Hub.

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30 JUNE 2021

Compare/Contrast: What and How the Biden Administration Has Undone Trump’s Past Immigration Policies

Washington, DC -- Today, as Texas residents grow concerned over both rising temperatures threatening their power grid and Republican legislators undermining their voting rights, former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are carrying out another political stunt at the border - once again reviving the GOP playbook of the past that lost Republicans critical seats in 2018 and 2020.

In the last few weeks, the Texas governor along with other Republican leaders, including Senator Ted Cruz and Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis who recently deployed state law officers to the border, have continued to weaponize the border and demonize migrants to undermine President Biden’s progress to overhaul Trump’s cruel immigration policies and build a functioning immigration system.

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25 JUNE 2021

Immigration Hub Releases Statement on VP Harris Trip to Border

WASHINGTON, DC — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on Vice President Kamala Harris and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ trip to visit the southern border today.

“I’m honestly curious what Republicans thought they were going to accomplish by making the border their entire focus when it comes to immigration. From what we saw today on Vice President Harris’ visit to El Paso — and expect to see next week when former President Trump and House Republicans visit the border — it would be the last thing you’d think they want to talk about. Trump and Republicans spent four years ripping families apart, creating inhumane conditions, and actively worsening an immigration system that was already failing. While in El Paso today, the Vice President and Secretary Mayorkas saw first hand the human and systemic damage inflicted by Trump and Stephen Miller’s cruel and racist immigration policies, and the progress already made to undo it.

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25 JUNE 2021

New Battleground Poll on Immigration: Democrats Hold ‘Trust Advantage’ Over Republicans on Citizenship, Need to Go on Offense

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, FWD.us, Immigration Hub and America’s Voice released the results of a new battleground state poll conducted by leading Democratic pollsters - Global Strategy Group, Hart Research and BSP Research - on immigration. The survey of battleground voters, including Latino voters, finds that the Democratic Party has a significant trust advantage over Republicans on immigration, namely delivering on the hugely popular pathway to citizenship bills, creating a clear opportunity for Democrats to go on offense on immigration. The polling finds that Americans want action on citizenship legislation because immigration is a consensus issue, not a divisive one. In fact, Democrats do not have to run away from the border debate and should aggressively push their solutions to the forefront against Republican attacks on the border.

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16 JUNE 2021

MEMO: Biden Continues to Undo Trump Immigration Policies, Moving Forward Necessary and Humane Solutions to Address Broken System

WASHINGTON, DC - Today and in the last few weeks, the Biden-Harris administration has taken notable action to revoke and address the immigration policies of the previous president that exacerbated an already broken system. Despite Republican attempts to distract the public with narratives and photo ops centered at the border, the current administration’s full-scale approach has generated progress to create a humane, orderly and safe immigration system. 

From repurposing border wall funds to ensuring immigrant victims of violence are provided protections, the Immigration Hub breaks down the latest developments by the administration:

Expansion of Legal Pathways for Central American Children Seeking to Join Their Family in the US. The Biden administration this week announced the expansion of the Central American Minors (CAM) program, which was revived earlier this year by the administration.

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10 JUNE 2021

Hub Highlights: VP Focuses on Solutions with First Trip Abroad, GOP Spreads Border Misinformation to Voters and the Media

WASHINGTON, DC— This week, Vice President Kamala Harris made an official visit to Mexico and Guatemala as part of her role to strengthen international diplomacy and address the core causes forcing migration from the region. The vice president’s talks with leaders, non-governmental organizations, and communities in the two countries is an integral part of the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to take a holistic and comprehensive approach to modernize the country’s immigration system, manage the border and migration, and create legal pathways for migrants and refugees and opportunities to strengthen the region. While Vice President Harris delivers on the administration’s immigration goals, the Republican Party and their surrogates - Fox News, Stephen Miller and the like - have re-upped their nativist dog whistles against Democrats, centering the narrative on the border and migrant “criminals” to misinform voters and influence national coverage.

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08 JUNE 2021

MEMO: Addressing root causes is effective and popular solution to forced migration

WASHINGTON, DC— Vice President Kamala Harris kicks off her trip to Mexico and Guatemala today, in the strongest signal yet that the Biden Administration is tackling forced migration head-on by addressing the root causes driving people from their homes, particularly in Mexico and Central America’s Northern Triangle. Over two days, the Vice President will meet with directly impacted people and government leaders, in what is her first trip abroad as Vice President.

President Joe Biden’s appointment of Vice President Harris this spring to lead efforts to address the root cause of migration from Central America not only shows this Administration’s commitment to solving this issue but also its competence -- a marked difference from the prior Administration which only made things worse by cutting aid, throttling our legal immigration system, and gutting the asylum process, including ending the program that allowed asylum applications from home-countries.

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19 MAY 2021

Hundreds Participate in Nationwide Lobby Day, Tell Congress “Citizenship Now, This Is The Year”

WASHINGTON, DC— On Tuesday, May 18, the We Are Home campaign and the Immigration Hub hosted Spring Lobby Day 2021, a virtual fly-in event with hundreds of participants and over 160 advocacy organizations to urge Congress to pass legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and essential undocumented immigrants. Participants included directly impacted individuals; DACA recipients, TPS and DED holders, farmworkers, essential workers and their allies in faith, labor and the pro-immigrant movement.

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14 MAY 2021

Experts Discuss New Latino Voter Poll Results on Immigration and How Democrats Can Seize the Opportunity to Swing Battleground Voters

**Click here for a recording of the press conference**

WASHINGTON, DC— During a press conference today hosted by the Immigration Hub, Janet Murguia, President of UnidosUS Action Fund and pollsters Matt Barreto and Stephanie Valencia discussed how President Biden and Democrats have an opportunity to galvanize Latino voters on immigration and go on offense against Republicans, setting the foundation for major gains in 2022 and 2024. 

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13 MAY 2021

Hub Highlights: Polls Show Compelling Support for Citizenship, Opportunities for Democrats to Lean In

WASHINGTON, DC— New polls out this week show continued support among key constituency groups, including Latino voters, for immigration proposals by President Biden and Democrats. The latest survey of Latino voters, commissioned by the Immigration Hub and UnidosUS Action Fund, found that voters care deeply about immigration reform and that Democrats have a key opportunity to shore up and energize the Latino vote by delivering on immigration solutions. Data for Progress also released findings from their survey across ten battleground states. In each of the ten states, voters supported legislation that would grant a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and other essential workers-- this included a majority of Independents in all of the ten states and between roughly a third to a majority of Republicans. 

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12 MAY 2021

Congress Must Protect Essential Immigrant Workers

The Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety will hold a hearing today entitled, “The Essential Role of Immigrant Workers in America.” The hearing, chaired by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), will take a closer look at the stories of immigrant essential workers who not only helped keep our country moving amid the pandemic but also continue their work to help fuel the country’s economic recovery.

Witnesses testifying before the subcommittee include Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice, Dr. Tom Wong, Founding Director Of The U.S. Immigration Policy Center (USIPC) University Of California, San Diego, and Rose Tilus, a nurse and Haitian immigrant currently living in the US with temporary protected status (TPS). The hearing comes as advocates continue to call on Congress to pass critical legislation to establish a pathway to citizenship and permanently protect Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and other undocumented immigrants who have been deemed as essential workers over the last year.

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12 MAY 2021

New Poll: Latino Voters Support Biden’s Immigration Policies; Will Reward Progress or Punish Inaction on the Issue

Read the Full National Findings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Immigration Hub today announced the release of a new poll of over 1,800 Latino voters in battleground states and districts across the country. The poll, conducted by Barreto Segura Partners (BSP Research) and EquisLabs, finds Latino voters care deeply about immigration reform, support President Biden’s immigration approach and Democratic immigration policy solutions and are willing to reward action on the issue. The results also make clear that there can be significant electoral consequences for Democrats and the president if they do not deliver on their proposed immigration policies. 

“2020 made clear that Latino voters have become one of the most critical blocs of voters in the nation,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Gaining their support can be consequential for Democrats in 2022 and 2024 in key battleground states -- and this is exactly why Democrats cannot be silent or inactive on immigration. The results dispel any notion that Latino voters supported Trump on immigration, but more importantly, they underscore how immigration plays an important role in both moving Latino voters and defining Republicans.” 


3 MAY 2021

Immigration Hub Response to Biden Administration’s Refugee Admissions Cap

WASHINGTON, DC— In response to an announcement by President Joe Biden raising the refugee admissions cap to 62,500, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“We commend the Biden-Harris administration for fulfilling the president’s pledge to raise the refugee admissions cap. Today’s announcement reaffirms our country’s commitment and responsibility as a leader around the globe in accepting and welcoming refugees who are fleeing unspeakable violence and heinous country conditions.

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3 MAY 2021

Immigration Hub Applauds Announcement on First Family Reunifications 

WASHINGTON, DC — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, in response to today’s announcement that the Biden administration has begun to reunite families separated under the previous administration.

“Today’s announcement by the Biden-Harris administration on the first set of family reunifications marks a major and welcome milestone in undoing the damage of the last four years. President Trump’s family separation policy was an egregious human rights abuse that will go down as one of the most shameful moments in our nation’s history. While much work remains to be done to reunify more families and address the trauma inflicted on them, today is a day for celebration and hope.

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29 APRIL 2021

New Poll: As Vice President Harris Tackles the Root Causes of Migration from Central America, Poll Finds Strong Support for the Administration’s Regional Work

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following President Biden’s joint address to Congress in which he reaffirmed the administration’s plans to modernize our immigration system, the Immigration Hub today announced the release of a new poll of over 3,000 registered voters — conducted by Civiqs — which finds a majority of American voters support immigration policies that take a multinational approach to addressing the root causes of migration, invest in smart, modern border management, and allow people to immigrate to the United States when seeking asylum or feeling violence in their home country. 

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28 APRIL 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“President Biden assumed office in one of the darkest times of our nation’s history. A crippling pandemic, a faltering economy, cries for racial justice, an insurrection against democracy at our nation’s very capitol, and an immigration system ravaged by the cruel and chaotic policies of the prior administration. And in the span of just 100 days, this administration has made remarkable progress in undoing the destruction and setting us on a new path invested in the humanity, value and prosperity of all people.

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28 APRIL 2021

100 Day Progress Report on President Biden’s Immigration Approach

WASHINGTON, D.C.— As President Biden prepares to deliver his address to Congress where he’ll ask Congress to support a path to citizenship for undocumented communities, the Immigration Hub issues its evaluation and tracking of the Biden administration’s progress on immigration, and its recommendations for future action. Despite Republican attempts to undermine the Biden administration’s efforts, and while major administrative policies and legislation are necessary to fully reset and rebuild the nation’s broken system, the president has made strong headway to safely and fairly manage migration and the border.

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23 APRIL 2021

Hub Highlights: GOP Planned to Undermine Biden on Immigration From the Jump, Democrats Must Go Big and Bold on Solutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from POLITICO lays out the Republican Party’s well documented efforts to undermine President Biden’s actions on immigration and carryout Trump’s anti-immigrant political playbook in the lead up to elections. Mentioned in the report, a Hub memo to Democratic leadership that provides critical data and proof points underscoring how Democrats can win the public debate on immigration and gain voters by leaning in on popular immigration solutions, such as citizenship for undocumented immigrants and smart border management. 

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22 APRIL 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Bill Introduced by Senators Cornyn and Sinema

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to an immigration bill introduced today by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“Congress must pass a path to citizenship for immigrant youth, Temporary Protected Status holders, and immigrant workers and families. This Cornyn-Sinema bill does not go far enough in making the required changes and upgrades to our immigration system. The bill’s glaring omission of a pathway to citizenship and measures to address root causes of migration is a major red flag. Senator Cornyn should commit to voting for the Dream Act and the SECURE Act in the Senate if he is serious about bipartisan reforms to our immigration system.

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15 APRIL 2021

Immigration Hub: Biden’s Decision on Refugee Admissions Breaks the American Promise

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to reports of President Biden’s decision to limit the number of refugees allowed in the United States, breaking with a campaign promise to undo the Trump administration’s historically low cap on refugee admissions, the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“‘Every immigrant comes to America from different circumstances and for different reasons but you all  have one thing in common, courage. The courage it takes to sacrifice and make this journey, the courage to leave your home and your lives, your loved ones, and come to a nation that is more than just a place but rather an idea, an idea that where everyone is created and deserves to be treated equally.’ These words were a message welcoming new American citizens taking the oath. A message delivered by President Biden last week

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15 APRIL 2021

Hub Highlights: Democrats Make Progress on Immigration, Republicans Double Down on Obstructionism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Representatives Steve Scalise, Devin Nunes and another group of House Republicans got their turn to ride the gunboat along the Rio Grande. This week, the charade continued with Rep. Scalise waving a milk carton declaring Vice President Kamala Harris “missing at the border” while on the same day she met with regional experts to talk about the root causes of migration. Echoing the Trump playbook of the past, Republicans have continued to advocate for cruel policies and arrange political stunts, distracting and dismissing their duties as members of Congress to deliver solutions long supported by the American public, such as moving forward legislation to create a new path to citizenship for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS-holders and other immigrant workers who have been critical to America’s recovery.

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13 APRIL 2021

Progress Report: Biden Leads on Immigration with Solutions Supported by Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C.— After four years of chaotic and intentionally cruel Trump immigration policies, President Biden is faced with a massive challenge of undoing the damage left behind and rebuilding our immigration system. While there are still major administrative policies and legislation needed to ensure the safety of families and address the reasons forcing individuals to flee their countries, in less than a hundred days since taking office, the Biden-Harris administration has made strong progress and laid the groundwork for a whole host of solutions that are critical to creating a more fair, humane and functional immigration system.

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9 APRIL 2021

As Biden Responds with Immigration Solutions, Republican Hypocrisy Enables Alex Jones Attack on Migrant Children

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following the release of a shocking video of Alex Jones attacking a vehicle carrying migrant children from the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“The dangerous and disgusting attack on children by Alex Jones and his gang of conspiracy theorists is beyond reprehensible and stands in direct opposition to our country’s values of treating people with dignity and respect. Jones not only traumatized these children with his reckless actions but also further victimized them by recording and releasing footage of the interaction. What we’re seeing is a direct result of the inflammatory rhetoric long spewed by Donald Trump and continued by  the likes of Stephen Miller, Ted Cruz, Kevin McCathy and all other Republicans who have been parading along the southern border and demagoguing migrants seeking asylum. This stunt is beyond unacceptable and the GOP must condemn these attacks perpetrated in their name.

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26 MARCH 2021

New National Poll: Biden’s Solutions on the Border Supported by Americans, Disapprove of Republican Obstructionism

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Republican senators stage another political stunt at the border to continue attacking the current administration, new polling shows that the American people support President Biden’s immigration plans to address the broken immigration system his administration inherited. 

“Yesterday at a White House press conference, President Biden laid out the facts on the situation at the border, along with his principles and what he is doing to fix it. This is exactly in line with what Americans want according to our new poll.” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub. “Rather than working with President Biden, Republicans are staging another photo op and riding boats armed with machine guns along the border to score cheap political points. We know where this is going - it’s a formula: create the optics of chaos to block immigration legislation with citizenship for immigrants, return to a gutted, un-American asylum process and undermine legal immigration while attempting to score political points.

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24 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Vice President Harris Leading Regional Efforts to Address Root Causes of Migration

WASHINGTON— Today, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the administration’s efforts to address the root causes of migration in Mexico and Central America. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

"We are thrilled that Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the administration's work in Mexico and Central America and with partners in the region to take a holistic, humane and bold approach in addressing the root causes of migration. This announcement underscores the seriousness of the Biden-Harris White House to tackle every aspect of our broken immigration system, including addressing this key challenge which was only exacerbated under President Trump.

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24 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on GOP Unanimous Consent Requests for Anti-Immigrant Bills

WASHINGTON— Today, Senate Republicans are attempting to pass several anti-immigrant bills through unanimous consent requests. In response, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Once again, Republicans are failing to offer real immigration solutions, serving red meat to their base and proposing bills that will harm migrant children, separate families and scapegoat immigrant communities. Enough is enough. The American public wants real solutions to rebuild our immigration system so that it is orderly, humane and keeps families together. As Republicans continue their media tour to blame Biden for the state of our immigration system, they’re refusing to come to the table to work with Democrats.

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22 MARCH 2021

61 Days Unwinding 1461 Days of Trump Damage to Immigration System 

WASHINGTON— Sunday was Biden’s 60th day in office. Let’s not forget where we started just 61 days ago. Post-Trump, the Biden administration has tackled the pandemic by vaccinating millions and passing the ARP to fund schools and small businesses to reopen while tackling the mess left behind at the border. 

Over the prior four years (or 1,461days… 1,400 more than Biden has been in office), the Trump administration made more than 1,000 policy changes to the immigration system, including policies to forcibly remove children from their families, waste millions on an ineffective wall, gut our asylum laws, and ban people on the basis of race or religion. So much damage was done to America’s immigration system that it will take a massive effort to unwind his failed and cruel policies. 

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19 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on White House Appointment of Immigration Advocacy Expert Alida Garcia 

WASHINGTON— Today, the White House announced the appointment of Alida Garcia, former Vice President of Advocacy at FWD.us, as Senior Adviser For Migration Outreach And Engagement. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“The Biden-Harris administration continues to bring on the best and brightest staff to advance the president’s immigration agenda— this time with the hiring of our partner and good friend Alida Garcia. The appointment of Garcia demonstrates the seriousness by this White House in fixing the mess left behind by the prior administration. She has years of  experience leading key legislative and advocacy efforts with a wide range of organizations and elected leaders from across the political spectrum, and has been a champion on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

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18 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Passage of the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the passage of the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by the House of Representatives:

“Today is a great day for immigrant communities, advocates and allies in our fight for a just and humane immigration system. We are elated that the House of Representatives passed both the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act with bipartisan support. These bills would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders and farmworkers, many of whom have been absolutely critical to helping America get through a historic pandemic by treating our sick, caring for our loved ones and making sure we have food at our tables.

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18 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub: We Stand Strongly in Solidarity with AAPI Communities Across Georgia and the Country

WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the hate crime committed against members of the Asian American community in Georgia, the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“Unequivocally, we stand strongly in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities across Georgia and the country. We mourn with all the families of those who were tragically murdered. 

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17 MARCH 2021

Julián Castro, Mayor Trey Mendez, Experts to Respond to Gov. Abbott, GOP Political Stunts and Rhetoric on the Border

DALLAS— Today, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, Mayor of Brownsville Trey Mendez and Texas advocates and immigration experts hosted a telephonic press briefing in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s hypocritical and misleading remarks today about the Biden administration’s plans to manage the border.

Republicans have been on a crazed media tour attempting to distract Americans from the success of the American Recovery Plan by employing scare tactics against the migrant children and families seeking refuge and asylum. Republicans, many of whom supported Trump’s deeply unpopular, cruel, and failed immigration policies, falsely allege that President Biden’s plans to create an immigration system rooted in fairness and humanity is the driving cause of migration and not the policies of the previous administration. In fact, the last four years under President Trump gutted the legal immigration system and asylum process and systematically separated children from their families, bringing us to where we are today. 

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17 MARCH 2021

Hub Highlights: Abbott Feigns Concern as Republicans Deflect to the Border and Drive Fear Despite the Political Liability

“We’ve seen this playbook before and we’ll see it sail into 2022, baiting the media but sinking with the American electorate.” - Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub

WASHINGTON, DC - For the past month, Republicans have re-adopted the Trump playbook of anti-immigrant stunts and rhetoric as a strategy to distract from their own legislative failures and mismanagement of recovery efforts. As public sentiment grows in support of President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan, Republicans are planning more trips to the border, actively whipping their members against the highly popular Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and today Governor Abbott in Texas has joined the calvary to deflect from his own governing negligence.

“The caravan, ‘bad hombres’, ‘job-stealers’, ‘they’re bringing crime’, ‘open borders’ - the attacks are always the same and are always used when Republicans have botched their response to the demands of the American voter,” stated Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub.

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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.  


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15 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub: Statement on Minority Leader McCarthy's Visit to the Southern Border 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of GOP Leader McCarthy’s remarks at the southern border, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Let’s call Congressman McCarthy’s visit to the border what it is: a political stunt. 

“It’s no surprise that Rep. McCarthy and other Republicans are staging a tour of the southern border just days after President Biden signed the highly popular American Rescue Plan. Democrats delivered, and Republicans are scrambling to distract from their failures to offer any solution to the public health and economic crisis their constituents are confronting. McCarthy and Republicans have had countless opportunities to address the pandemic, health care, economy and immigration, among a myriad of kitchen-table issues. And yet, here they go again: creating fear over a broken immigration system that was chaotically and cruelly exacerbated during the Trump administration. 


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15 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Announces Six-Figure National Ad Buy Urging Leaders to Deliver Citizenship for Immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC — The Immigration Hub announced today the launch of a new, six-figure ad campaign urging Congress to deliver a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in America. The national television ad, “Write the Story of US”, airs as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on two key immigration bills this week; the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bills would collectively establish a pathway to citizenship for approximately 5 million undocumented immigrants currently living and working in the U.S.

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10 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub: Passing American Rescue Plan is a Victory for America and Working People

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the passage of the American Rescue Plan by Congress. 

“The passage of the American Rescue Plan by Congress is a monumental step in the right direction, giving aid to countless families and working people across the country who have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly true for Black and Brown communities who have been hardest hit by this crisis. At a time in our country when we have witnessed over 500,000 deaths and millions of Americans lose their jobs and livelihoods as the weight of our nation’s survival has fallen on the shoulders of essential workers, we cannot underestimate the strength and impact of this bill.

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4 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub: With Plans for Anti-Immigrant Poison Pill Amendments, Republicans Continue to Follow Trump’s Lead

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the expected anti-immigration amendments offered this week by Senate Republicans during the passage of the American Rescue Plan. 

“As the Senate prepares to vote on the American Rescue Plan and provide the American people with desperately needed relief, Republicans are expected to introduce numerous poison pill amendments that villainize immigrants and attempt to exclude immigrant communities from relief efforts. Not only is it irresponsible to attempt to derail comprehensive relief after more than a year of the worst public health crisis in living memory, anti-immigration amendments aren’t what the country wants or needs. 

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3 MARCH 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Bills Granting Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders and Agricultural Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, on the introductions of the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act:

“We’re elated to see the introduction of both the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. These bills are critical building blocks towards our goal of establishing a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S. Throughout the pandemic, farmworkers have risked their own health and safety in order to keep our grocery stores stocked with fresh food. Similarly, Dreamers and those with Temporary Protected Status are working on the frontlines of the pandemic as medical professionals, domestic workers and other essential roles that have kept our country moving forward.

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26 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Trump Lost Because of Immigration, Republicans Should Learn From His Mistakes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Trump is set to deliver remarks at CPAC on Sunday, once again amplifying an anti-immigrant message around myths of a “border surge.” Ahead of Trump’s remarks, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

"While Americans have moved on from Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, Trump hasn't. The former president still has his foot firmly on the gas, spinning false narratives on President Biden’s approach to the border, which he left in utter ruins and chaos. The Biden administration has been left to pick up the pieces while Trump wails and Republicans echo the hyperboles or sit idly by as legislation to remedy the immigration system moves to the fore without their support.”


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18 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: U.S. Citizenship Act Is Key to America’s Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38), in conjunction with the Biden-Harris administration, will introduce the US Citizenship Act of 2021. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“We wholeheartedly welcome the introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act-- a visionary and bold plan to transform our immigration system. As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s promise to undo the previous administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda, the bill would extend legal status and citizenship to 11 million of our friends, family and neighbors. For Dreamers, TPS-holders, and essential workers on the frontlines of the pandemic, and Black immigrants still facing deportation on a daily basis, these protections are not only long overdue but are also critical to our country’s economic recovery. Most importantly, this bill would give millions of people the opportunity to fully contribute to our country without trade-offs for a bloated deportation apparatus or draconian enforcement initiatives that have only served to exacerbate an already broken system.


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8 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub Statement on Introduction of the SECURE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Immigration Hub’s Deputy Director Kerri Talbot issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act by Senator Chris Van Hollen:

“We’re glad to see the introduction of the SECURE Act to provide permanent protection from deportation and establish a pathway to citizenship for those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Hundreds of thousands of TPS holders are longtime members of their communities. They have purchased homes, raised families, opened businesses and thousands have been working in essential jobs during the pandemic. Granting them citizenship is not only the right thing to do but it is a critical component of our country’s recovery efforts. We thank Senator Van Hollen for introducing this legislation and we urge Congress to swiftly pass the bill.”


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8 FEBRUARY 2021

Sergio Gonzales Announced as New Executive Director of the Immigration Hub

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Immigration Hub announced today that Sergio Gonzales will become the new Executive Director of the organization after serving as Deputy Director since 2018. Gonzales will replace Tyler Moran, who has joined the Biden White House as special assistant to the president for Immigration on the Domestic Policy Council.

“I am truly honored to step into this role with such an exemplary team of people fighting each and every day for an immigration system centered on humanity, justice and opportunity,” said Gonzales. “As we enter a new era of leadership, I’m excited to work with our partners at every level to enact policies that are inclusive and recognize the dignity and value of every person. This starts with Congress swiftly passing legislation to provide citizenship to the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers, TPS holders and immigrant essential workers who have kept the country afloat during a historic pandemic. After four very long and painful years, it is a more hopeful day for immigrant communities in America. And change can’t come fast enough.”


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5 FEBRUARY 2021

Hickenlooper Turns His Back on Immigrant Families, Latinos and Triggers Flashbacks of Cory Gardner

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last night the Senate passed legislation, thanks to Senate Democrats and President Biden, that provides much needed resources to help America in the midst of a historic pandemic. Senate Republicans introduced a poison pill to deny stimulus payments to many immigrant families and this anti-immigrant amendment gained support from several Democratic Senators, including Senator John Hickenlooper.


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4 FEBRUARY 2021

Senate Republicans Carry On Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Legacy

WASHINGTON, D.C.— As the Senate takes up legislation to address the pandemic, Senate Republicans have introduced a series of poison pill, anti-immigrant amendments. In response, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“It is unconscionable that Senate Republicans are rolling out a whole menu of amendments that only seek to divide Americans, villainize immigrants, and score political cheap-shots. Make no mistake, Donald Trump may no longer be in the White House, but Trumpism lives on in the halls of Congress.


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4 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Dream Act Is An Important Step Towards Legalization For 11 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Dream Act, a bill that grants permanent protection from deportation and creates a pathway to citizenship for nearly 2 million Dreamers, was introduced in the Senate. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Interim Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“As the Biden-Harris administration continues their work to rebuild our immigration system, we’re thrilled to see Congress move forward with the bipartisan introduction of the Dream Act today. This bill is an essential step towards citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living and working in the country.


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2 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Alejandro Mayorkas’ Confirmation as DHS Secretary Historic Moment for Nation, Latinos and Immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Interim Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, on the Senate’s confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“Confirming Alejandro Mayorkas as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security is a crucial step in reforming DHS and advancing the Biden-Harris administration’s initiative to create a fair and humane immigration system. Not only does Mayorkas have the integrity and humility to guide his decision-making, he has the professional and personal experience required to lead DHS during these trying times. His central role in creating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) demonstrates the much needed expertise and values he will bring with him to the job.”


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2 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Biden’s Executive Orders Are Critical to Rebuilding Our Country’s Asylum and Immigration Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, President Joe Biden is expected to sign another set of executive orders to undo the cruelty and damage caused by former President Trump’s immigration policies. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Interim Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the actions taken by President Biden to undo some of the worst attacks against immigrants unleashed by the previous administration. For four long years, immigrants and refugees bore the brunt of Trump and Stephen Miller’s diabolical policies, including ‘Remain in Mexico’ and the separation of families at the border. The orders announced today reaffirm our commitment and standing as a country that welcomes refugees and allows us to begin establishing immigration policies that align with our values.”


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26 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub Reacts to Court Ruling Blocking Biden’s Pause on Deportations

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In reaction to a ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton blocking the Biden Administration’s Department of Homeland Security from pausing deportations for 100 days, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“President Biden is well within his rights to review the immigration enforcement system, pause Trump’s harmful policies and create a fair and functional immigration system. The deportation pause is an important opportunity to review and reset immigration priorities to align with our values. The American people want to turn the page on the Trump administration’s xenophobia and voters overwhelmingly agree with Biden’s immigration actions announced last week, including the pause on deportations.”


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20 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Americans Support Total Reset of Immigration Priorities as Directed by Biden

WASHINGTON, D.C.— President Joe Biden today signed a series of Executive Orders, one of which revokes harsh and extreme immigration enforcement priorities previously set by the Trump administration. In response, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“For four long years, Trump sought to divide communities by scapegoating immigrants and unleashing a slew of harsh enforcement priorities including the horrific separation of families at the border. The American people want to turn the page on the Trump administration’s xenophobia and voters overwhelmingly agree with Biden’s plans to review and reset immigration policies to align with our values.


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20 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: The Biden-Harris Administration Poised to Usher In a New Era of Humane, Fair Immigration Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, regarding President Biden’s inauguration:  

“After four years of inhumane immigration policies under the Trump Administration that cruelly separated families, today marks a new chapter for immigrants all across America. Under President Biden and Vice President Harris — who have both demonstrated their strong commitment to ushering in a new era of humane and fair immigration policy — our institutions can get back to focusing on solutions that prioritize all hard-working people. The importance of this work cannot be understated, especially as a deadly pandemic continues to disproportionately ravage immigrant communities and communities of color.


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20 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Biden-Harris Immigration Proposal is Critical to America’s Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, President Joe Biden unveiled landmark legislation to legalize 11 million undocumented people living in the United States, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. In response to the historic proposal, Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Joe Biden began the work of healing our nation from division and unveiled the most impactful immigration proposal in recent history. In a dramatic reversal of the previous administration’s anti-immigrant agenda, the U.S. Citizenship Act would extend legal status and citizenship to 11 million of our friends, family and neighbors. Providing a path to citizenship for immigrant frontline workers, Dreamers, those with Temporary Protected Status and millions of families is not only overdue, but is critical to our country’s economic recovery.”


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19 JANUARY 2021

235 Organizations Co-Sign 2021 Immigration Action Plan to Undo Immigration System Weaponized by Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of President-elect Biden’s inauguration, the Immigration Hub applauded commitments by the incoming administration to prioritize critical immigration policy reforms within the first 100 days of the administration and called on the administration to consider specific reforms outlined in the 2021 Immigration Action Plan. The Action Plan, first unveiled in August 2020, lays out a blueprint for the next administration to not only restore human dignity to a system weaponized by the Trump administration, but to transform America’s immigration system — reinforcing core American values and powering the economic recovery of the nation. 


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19 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub Urges Senate to Confirm Alejandro Mayorkas as DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C.— As the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee meets today to consider the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“Along with many partners in the immigrant rights movement, we wholeheartedly support the nomination of Alejandro Mayorkas to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. For many years, Mr. Mayorkas has been involved in developing and implementing pro-immigrant policies, including through the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.”


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14 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Tyler Moran and Esther Olavarria are Stalwart Champions for Immigrant Rights and Critical Immigration Policy Reforms

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Office of President-Elect Joe Biden announced the appointment of Tyler Moran, former Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, as Special Assistant to the President for Immigration for the Domestic Policy Council. Moran will be joining Esther Olavarria, the Biden Administration’s Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council for Immigration, to guide and shape immigration policy under Susan Rice, domestic policy advisor. In response, the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“President-elect Biden’s commendable appointment of Tyler Moran and Esther Olavarria represent a promising shift to re-envision and rebuild our nation’s immigration system. We are extremely proud that Moran and Olavarria will lend their decades of experience in immigration policy to help the Biden administration implement transformative and much-needed changes to our dysfunctional immigration system. 


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12 JANUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Trump’s Border Wall Stunt is Fitting Way to End Presidency

WASHINGTON, DC — Below is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy of the Immigration Hub, in response to President Trump’s visit to the border wall in South Texas:  

“With thousands of people dying from coronavirus every day, an economy in turmoil, and our country on edge only a week after a violent attack on our democracy, President Trump is using his final days in office not to help the American people, but to stage a feeble attempt to distract from the crises that he and his administration failed to combat. 


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21 DECEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: “President-elect Biden’s commitment to rebuilding America’s asylum system is commendable and necessary.”


WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to an exclusive interview (full exclusive in English) with the President-elect Joe Biden’s domestic policy council head, Susan Rice, and national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, who expressed Biden’s commitment to restoring the country’s asylum system, the following statement was issued by Kerri Talbot, the Immigration Hub’s Director of Federal Advocacy:

“While Republicans yet again insisted on funding for Trump’s border wall in Congress, President-elect Biden’s team stated their willingness to offer a new framework for humanitarian protections at the border as we recover from a global pandemic.


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21 DECEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: COVID-19 Compromise Bill Provides Cash Payments for Mixed-Status Families, Falls Short of Comprehensive Efforts to Support Struggling Families, Including Immigrants

WASHINGTON, DC — Below is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy of the Immigration Hub, in response to the COVID-19 relief bill unveiled by Congress:

“Seven months after the House passed the HEROES Act, a comprehensive coronavirus relief bill to provide health care and economic protections for all communities, Congressional leaders today unveiled a compromise bill that provides assistance for some immigrant families while denying checks to many essential workers and taxpayers. 

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4 DECEMBER 2020

ANALYSIS: The Role of Immigration in the 2020 Election Cycle

Throughout the 2020 election cycle, The Immigration Hub undertook an intensive, comprehensive effort to monitor and track how immigration as an issue played out during the election cycle, in real-time. Following a deep examination and analysis of the tracking data – including campaign spending, advertising, voter polling, media mentions, and voter modeling – Immigration Hub has compiled the below eight top takeaways to provide a snapshot of the role immigration played in the 2020 election.

READ MORE: How Immigration Fared in the 2020 Election


1 DECEMBER 2020

NEW POST ELECTION POLL: Trump’s Hardline Immigration Policies and Messaging Failed to Mobilize Votes in Michigan and Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new post-election survey released today by the Immigration Hub and Global Strategy Group found that in the key battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania, President Trump’s family separation policies and attacks on Dreamers failed to galvanize his supporters and alienated swing voters, leading to his defeat. Likewise, in the competitive Michigan Senate race, attacks from Republicans against Senator Gary Peters on “sanctuary cities” were ineffective and failed to connect. In line with analysis from the Hub, the post-election poll shows that immigration is no longer working for Republicans as a wedge issue, and that voters support fair and humane immigration reforms even as the Trump administration plans to enact egregious changes before their transition. 

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23 NOVEMBER 2020

Nominating Alejandro Mayorkas For DHS Secretary Historic Moment, Reflects Urgency of Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Below is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy of the Immigration Hub, in response to reports that President-elect Biden plans to nominate Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Alejandro Mayorkas has the integrity, experience and humanity to be an excellent Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Mayorkas’s efforts to help immigrant youth through the creation of the DACA program earned him the trust and respect of immigrant communities. This nomination is a historic moment in our country’s history as Mr. Mayorkas will become the first Latino and immigrant to lead DHS. Mr. Mayorkas is an experienced public servant who understands the immigrant experience and his selection demonstrates that the Biden administration supports the need to govern with compassion and empathy.”

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23 NOVEMBER 2020

NEW REPORT: The Immigration Impact on Swing Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today as President-elect Joe Biden announces his historic pick for DHS Secretary, America’s Voice, the Immigration Hub and NILC Immigrant Justice Fund released a new report detailing the activities and lessons learned from multifaceted, multimillion-dollar campaigns targeting swing voters with pro-immigrant messages.

The report highlights the work of three pro-immigrant organizations in response to Trump’s unprecedented war on immigrants and refugees in the context of the 2020 campaign. The groups worked to understand how immigration moves swing and moderate voters and how best to influence those voters.

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7 NOVEMBER 2020

Pennsylvania Voters - A Defiant Multiracial Majority - Reject Trump and Republican Attempts to Weaponize Immigration

PENNSYLVANIA - Despite multiple campaign stops peppered with “law and order” dog whistles against immigrants and communities of color, and Republican candidates touting Trump’s message, Democratic nominee Joe Biden swung one of the most hotly contested battleground states in the country. The defeat illustrates that voters rejected Trump’s vision for the country, including on issues like immigration — which Trump used to clench a victory in the state in 2016. His hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric failed to resonate with swing voters this year and resulted in higher Latinx turnout in the state than in any other election year.

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7 NOVEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: Joe Biden Victory Signals Voters Reject Xenophobia, Power of Multiracial Majority Swings Nation to Build an Inclusive America

WASHINGTON, D.C.The following is a statement from Tyler Moran, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, in response to the electoral victory by Vice President Joe Biden:

“Joe Biden’s decisive victory in critical battleground states is a rebuke of President Trump and everything he represents. An emerging, multiracial electorate swung our country towards a new course to build a more inclusive America that rejects Trump and the GOP’s agenda of hate, exclusion, and fear. 

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4 NOVEMBER 2020

Trump, Republican Attempts to Weaponize Immigration in Michigan Fails to Mobilize Voters Against Biden and Peters

MICHIGAN — Despite driving an aggressive and targeted anti-immigrant messaging strategy in one of the most consequential battlegrounds of the 2020 election, President Trump was rejected by Michigan voters who delivered the president a critical loss in a key battleground — as Democrats Joe Biden and incumbent Sen. Gary Peters won their races, turning Michigan blue. The defeat illustrates that voters moved away from Trump, including on issues like immigration — which Trump used to clench a victory in the state in 2016, but which failed to resonate with swing voters this year.

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4 NOVEMBER 2020

Michigan Voters Dismiss Anti-Immigrant Trump Pupil, Paul Junge, in Favor of Elissa Slotkin 

MICHIGAN - Following news of Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) victory over Republican candidate Paul Junge, Tyler Moran, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“Junge employed the Trumpian anti-immigrant strategy and faltered just like Mike Bishop before him. In a repeat of 2018, Slotkin - who supports Dreamers and immigration reform with a path to citizenship - defeated Republican fear-based narratives, pegging her as having a ‘radical’ approach to immigration. Voters in Slotkin’s district - which had flipped to Trump in 2016 - refused to be baited by xenophobic dog whistles.” 

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3 NOVEMBER 2020

Coloradans Reject Trump & Gardner, Elect Pro-Immigrant Candidates Across the Board

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Colorado voters today delivered a decisive victory for democracy and justice by rejecting President Donald Trump’s bid for reelection along with a chief enabler, Senator Cory Gardner. For four years, Gardner was one of Trump’s most loyal followers as the president unleashed unprecedented attacks on immigrants. Colorado voters, especially Latino voters, came out in historic numbers to reject Trump and Gardner. 

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3 NOVEMBER 2020

NEW MICHIGAN POLL: In Key Battleground that Could Decide Fate of Both the Presidential Race and U.S. Senate, Biden Up By 5, Peters Up By 6, and Anti-Immigrant Attacks Against Peters Fail to Convince Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As voters today in Michigan and across the country are heading to the polls, the Immigration Hub and Change Research have released the results of a new survey which finds Joe Biden with a 5-point lead over President Trump, and Gary Peters with a 6-point lead over Republican candidate John James — and also finds that anti-immigrant attacks against Peters failed to convince voters while large majorities of voters support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and Dreamers. The newly released poll of 623 registered voters is significant as Michigan is once again at the center of the national election, as one of few battleground states where the outcome may ultimately decide the fate of the presidential election and the U.S. Senate. It’s also one of battleground states where anti-immigrant rhetoric was used to attack both Biden and Peters, despite a bevy of recent polling finding swing voters moving further away from the GOP on the issue.

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29 OCTOBER 2020

NEW BATTLEGROUND POLLING: In Final Days of 2020 Election, Voters in Seven Battleground States Who Will Decide Election Outcome Reject Trump’s Immigration Record and Support Pro-Immigration Solutions for America’s Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Immigration Hub and Civiqs released the results of a more than 7,000 sample poll across seven key battleground states which reveals that swing-state voters not only overwhelmingly support immigrants and pro-immigration policy reforms, but also strongly agree that our immigration system under President Trump has become too cruel and extreme, and they remain dissatisfied with the president’s job performance. This comes amid recent revelations that over 500 children separated from their families at the border have still yet to be reunited. With more than 57% of voters opposing the practice of detention and family separation, Vice President Biden announced today a federal task force to reunite these children on his first day as president.

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29 OCTOBER 2020

Immigration Hub: Biden Task Force to Reunite Migrant Children With Parents Underscores Urgency of the Trump-Created Border Crisis, Why Voters Must Elect Biden-Harris in November

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Below is a statement from Sergio Gonzales, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub, in response to today’s announcement by the Biden presidential campaign that if elected, President Biden will create a federal task force to reunite children separated from their parents at the border. The task force announcement comes following recent, shocking revelations that 545 children separated from their parents at the border — as a direct result of the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” family separation policy — haven’t been able to reunite with their families as lawyers are unable to locate them. 

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28 OCTOBER 2020

NEW SWING VOTER TESTING: Trump’s Closing Argument Fails to Move Swing Voters in PA, MI, CO; Biden’s Vision for Immigration Reform Gains Votes, Drives Voter Enthusiasm for Democratic Nominee, Damages Trump’s Support

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With less than a week until the election, new testing of swing voters in battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado reveals that advertising in support of Joe Biden featuring pro-immigration messages persuades voters to vote against Trump and cast their vote for the Democratic nominee, even when placed head-to-head with the Trump campaign’s “Radical Left” ad. The Immigration Hub worked with BlueLabs Analytics to test a series of real-world political, immigration-focused ads on voters in the key battleground states where they found that not only did voters move away from Trump, but Biden’s vision for immigration reform drove voter enthusiasm in his favor, while also damaging Trump’s support among crucial voting blocs: men and undecided voters.

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23 OCTOBER 2020

As Public Sentiment Turns Against the President’s Immigration Policies, Trump Continues Attempts to Scare Swing Voters with “Radical Left” and Anti-Immigrant Messaging

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last night’s debate demonstrated President Trump’s attempt to take little responsibility for the cruelty inflicted by his immigration policies, including his notorious and cruel family separation policy. Majority of Americans have consistently disapproved of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration -- a backlash that has increased support for pro-immigration solutions such as citizenship for Dreamers and the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. Despite the growing sentiment, Trump and his campaign have merely tweaked their electoral strategy, using fear-based messaging to scare swing voters against the “radical left” and immigrants. New tracking from the Immigration Hub reveals that the Trump campaign and Republican operatives continue to target Pennsylvania, Michigan and other battleground states with anti-immigrant ads on Facebook and other platforms.

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21 OCTOBER 2020

Immigration Hub Reaction to Horrific Update on Immigrant Families Permanently Separated

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In reaction to reports confirming that the Trump administration failed to locate the parents of 545 children who were separated at the southern border as a result of the administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Trump’s family separation policy has resulted in long lasting and devastating consequences for families. Further, we recently learned of several Trump officials who relentlessly spearheaded their family separation policy knowing well that there was never a plan for reunification. The heartless and reckless actions of so many Trump officials have not only left a stain on our country but have greatly harmed and literally torn apart thousands of families.

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9 OCTOBER 2020

50 National and State Advocacy Organizations Urge Senate Judiciary Leaders to Oppose Nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fifty national and state advocacy organizations today urged the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court — citing Barrett’s abysmal record against immigrants during her time on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and concerns that if confirmed, she would serve as a rubber-stamp to uphold the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant policies. The letter — organized by the Immigration Hub, United We Dream and UndocuBlack Network and sent to the Committee’s Chair and Ranking Member, Sens. Lindsay Graham and Dianne Feinstein — points out Barrett’s record as evidence of the “indisputable adverse impact her decisions would have on immigrant communities.”

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8 OCTOBER 2020

NEW ELECTION ANALYSIS: Immigration Will Play Significant Role in Persuading and Turning Out Key Bloc of Voters in Tipping-Point States

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Immigration Hub today released its analysis of the impact immigration will play on key voters in battleground states that will decide the 2020 election. The Immigration Hub’s research — a deep-dive analysis of Trump campaign spending, polling of voters in battleground states, and new voter modeling — reveals that while immigration continues to be a central tactic to Trump’s reelection strategy in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, critical swing voters do not align with his rhetoric on immigration and move towards Democrats when exposed to values-based, pro-immigration messaging.  

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7 OCTOBER 2020

ICE Adds Fast Tracking of Deportations to Trump’s Reelection Tactics

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In reaction to reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has implemented a new policy to fast track deportations of immigrants who have been in the US for less than two years, Tyler Moran, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“With less than a month until election day and Trump sinking in the polls, the Trump campaign is returning to its comfort zone and framing immigrants as threats to the country in an attempt to prop up the president and turn out his base. The sole intention of this policy, which was previously blocked by a federal judge, is to terrorize immigrant communities.  And with 27 days left until election day, it is clear that this is part of his effort to suppress the Latinx vote. 

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7 OCTOBER 2020

VP DEBATE: Pence Record of Xenophobia Contrasts With Harris’s History of Fighting for Marginalized and Working Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Immigration Hub today denounced Vice President Mike Pence and the Trump administration’s record on immigration while applauding the vision of Senator Kamala Harris and former Vice President Joe Biden. This comes ahead of tonight’s Vice Presidential debate where America will get their only chance to see the two candidates on the same stage together. Immigration Hub Deputy Director Sergio Gonzales — a former Senior Policy Advisor to Sen. Kamala Harris and LGBTQ Co-Chair of her presidential campaign — issued the following statement contrasting the records of each ticket:

“The American people are going to see tonight the clear contrast between two Vice Presidential candidates and the visions for America they represent. One candidate has spent her career fighting for those who are left behind and left out. The other has consistently dismissed the needs of marginalized communities and exacerbated systemic inequities.

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6 OCTOBER 2020

Trump and His Republican Accomplices Abandon Millions of Families with No End to the Pandemic or Economic Collapse in Sight

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to President Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues deciding to walk away from negotiating a coronavirus relief bill and terminating any chance at providing much needed assistance to struggling families, Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy at the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Today’s actions by President Donald Trump erased all doubts about Republican priorities and values. Rather than negotiating in good faith with Democrats to provide critical relief to struggling families and businesses across the country, Republicans will instead focus on jamming a Supreme Court nominee through the Senate so she can strip healthcare from Americans in the middle of a public health crisis.

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2 OCTOBER 2020

Gardner’s Unwavering Allegiance to Trump & Determination to Confirm a New Supreme Court Justice Leaves Immigrant Communities at Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Senator Cory Gardner is proving, yet again, that his allegiance to President Donald Trump is far greater than his commitment to his Colorado constituents as he prepares to fall in line with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s orders to confirm Trump’s third nominee to the Supreme Court. By supporting the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett with less than 40 days until the presidential election, Senator Gardner will advance a nominee with a years-long record of anti-immigrant rulings, including supporting some of President Trump’s key immigration policies.

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2 OCTOBER 2020

Latest Ads and Planned Raids Show Immigration Still Trump’s Key Strategy to Move PA Swing Voters

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Immigration is again a critical motivating issue this election as President Trump continues to weaponize the issue to win suburban, swing votes in Pennsylvania and across battleground states with a tweaked ad strategy and plans to launch ICE raids in Philadelphia and other cities. Unlike 2016 and 2018 when Trump and Republicans (such as Lou Barletta) relied on overtly anti-immigrant messaging, this cycle, the Trump campaign is bucketing anti-immigrant attacks with wild claims about the ‘radical left’ to scare suburban, moderate voters. The president’s record and rhetoric on immigration, however, have proven to be a major political liability even in 2020. Despite the growing public sentiment for pro-immigration solutions, Republican candidates Jim Bognet and Sean Parnell are betting on the president’s retooled strategy while incumbents Scott Perry and Mike Kelly can’t run from a record of support for Trump’s family separation policy, termination of DACA, and funding for a border wall -- all top issues that majority of Pennsylvania voters reject.

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1 OCTOBER 2020

Immigration Hub: House Democrat COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes Compassionate Immigration Provisions

WASHINGTON, D.C.The following is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy for the Immigration Hub, in response to passage of the COVID-19 relief bill by the House of Representatives: 

“We applaud the House Democrats for passing much needed legislation that will bring relief to the millions of Americans who have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the most significant upheaval of American life in living memory, we don’t need sympathetic words, we need our legislators to take action.

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30 SEPTEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: Senate Republicans Advance Disastrous Chad Wolf, Full Senate Body Should Reject Nomination

WASHINGTON, D.C.The following is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy for the Immigration Hub, in response to the advancement of Chad Wolf by Senate Republicans: 

“We are very disappointed that Senate Republicans on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted today to advance Chad Wolf’s nomination to become Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The full Senate should vote to reject Chad Wolf’s nomination and with it the xenophobic and abusive policies that have marred his time with the department.

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23 SEPTEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: Senate Must Reject Chad Wolf as DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Ahead of the nomination hearing for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy for the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Chad Wolf’s tenure at DHS is marked by unthinkable atrocities against immigrant families, egregious abuses of power and the Trump administration’s xenophobic and racist anti-immigration policies. Rather than be rewarded with a Senate-confirmed position, Wolf must answer for the rogue agency's long list of abuses under his watch, including cruelty against families at the border and violence against protestors in places like Portland. We call on the Senate to reject Wolf’s confirmation and instead conduct a thorough investigation into the countless scandals under Wolf’s leadership.”

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21 SEPTEMBER 2020

Follow the Ads: Trump Campaign Tweaks Strategy, Bundles Anti-Immigrant Messages with “Law and Order” Attacks Against Biden and Democrats

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just ahead of this week’s rallies near Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the Trump campaign recently deployed new ads across battleground states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, combining the president’s signature anti-immigrant, divisive rhetoric with the economy and healthcare. Unlike in 2018 when Trump hurled overtly racist attacks against immigrants that fell flat on suburban white voters, the Trump campaign has retooled the strategy, bundling his anti-immigrant messages into multi-issue lines of attacks -- “amnesty” and “illegal immigrants” meets the “radical left”, healthcare and a scarcity of jobs, among other issues.

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18 SEPTEMBER 2020

Immigration Hub: Thank You Honorable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

WASHINGTON - In response to the death of the honorable U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“We are grateful and humbled by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her incredible work and the legacy she leaves behind‑ an indelible mark in our nation’s history and each generation to come.

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to fighting on behalf of those who deserved — but were too often denied — equal dignity in the eyes of the law.  While she’ll forever be remembered as a colossal force in the ongoing fight for gender equality, her drive to achieve ‘justice for all’ impacted people of every color, background, and community — including immigrants. She served as a critical voice on the Court on DACA, DAPA and the discriminatory Muslim Ban, further sealing her legacy as a true champion of those denied justice and humanity.

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15 SEPTEMBER 2020

Battleground Poll Shows Voters View Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Strategy As a Bigger Reason to Vote Against Him Than for Him

WASHINGTON, D.C.—  As President Trump joins a town hall in Philadelphia to tackle questions from “undecided” voters, new polling of likely voters across 12 battleground states, conducted for a trio of pro-immigrant advocacy groups, shows that President Trump’s anti-immigrant political strategy is not working. In polling conducted August 28 - September 7 for The Immigration Hub, FWD.us and America’s Voice by Global Strategy Group (GSG), Trump’s policies and positions on his signature issue﹣immigration﹣are losing him more votes than they gain. 

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14 SEPTEMBER 2020

TPS Decision Raises Election Stakes: Hundreds of Thousands of Workers at Risk of Deportation

WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to the decision issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Ramos v. Nielsen, Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy for the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“Today’s ruling greenlights the Trump administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda and raises the stakes for the November election. For over three years, Trump has terrorized immigrant families for his own political gain. It is unconscionable that TPS holders across the country, including 130,000 working on the frontlines of the pandemic response and recovery efforts, could be ripped from their communities. This ruling further solidifies that this year’s presidential election will decide the fate of many immigrants, including TPS holders and DACA recipients. The Senate can and should ensure that families across the country can stay together by immediately taking up the Dream and Promise Act to establish a path to citizenship for our TPS neighbors and Dreamers.”

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10 SEPTEMBER 2020

Senate Republicans Exclude Immigrant Families From Accessing Coronavirus Aid, Ignore Critical Need for Broad Relief

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senate Republicans attempted to advance a woefully inadequate coronavirus relief bill that would slash unemployment benefits for millions of Americans and exclude immigrant families from economic relief. This so-called “skinny bill” comes just a month after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell presented another package that would have funneled $1.6 billion to Customs and Border Protection while refusing to provide relief to U.S. citizens who are married to immigrants. Both GOP proposals fall short in addressing the severity of the ongoing pandemic, yet vulnerable Republicans such as Senators Cory Gardner and Martha McSally remain in lockstep as President Donald Trump and Republicans unleash a slew of anti-immigrant ads in battleground states in an attempt to divide and distract voters from their failed response to the pandemic.

“Again, Senate Republicans have failed to deliver a solution for all families in America as they continue to deflect blame,” said Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy at the Immigration Hub. “To add insult to injury, the GOP coronavirus package continues to deny critical economic relief to 7.8 million people, penalizing U.S. citizens simply because someone in their household is an immigrant. It also leaves out protections for DACA and TPS recipients, many of whom are working on the frontlines of relief efforts.”

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18 AUGUST 2020

Over 200 Organizations Release ‘2021 Immigration Action Plan’, Offering Blueprint to Undo Damage Wrought by Trump, Transform America’s Immigration System

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, as President Trump heads to Yuma, Arizona where he’s expected to host a major anti-immigration campaign rally to fire up his base ahead of the November election, more than 170 of the nation’s leading immigration and advocacy organizations unveiled the 2021 Immigration Action Plan, laying out a blueprint for the next administration to not only restore human dignity to a system weaponized by the Trump administration, but to transform America’s immigration system — reinforcing core American values and powering the economic recovery of the nation. The 2021 Action Plan — which counts amongst its supporters a strong, diverse cross-section of advocacy organizations from UnidosUS, SEIU, and Immigration Hub to Planned Parenthood, Children’s Defense Fund, and America’s Voice — represents a series of ten concrete, actionable, and fully articulated proposals addressing every stage of immigration policy and processing for a new administration, and envisions a new approach to migration and border governance.

“Americans are tired of the divisive, xenophobic rhetoric, they’re disturbed by the actions that have torn families apart and they’re ready for new leadership to restore and reinforce the values Americans treasure,” said Sarnata Reynolds, Director of Policy for Immigration Hub.

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28 JULY 2020

Trump Puts Immigrant Youth at Risk of Deportation by Attacking DACA

WASHINGTON, DC— In response to the Trump Administration’s new memo outlining their plans to end new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and limit renewals of status to one year, Sergio Gonzales, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement:

“The Trump administration is now doubling down on their plan to end DACA and put young immigrants at risk of deportation. By denying more than 300,000 young people the ability to apply for DACA, Trump is circumventing the Supreme Court’s order allowing new applications to proceed and continuing to threaten these young people and their families. Trump should have immediately processed all new DACA applications.

As coronavirus continues to spiral out of control, this president is more interested in continuing to terrorize Dreamers. He has repeatedly used the issue to play to his shrinking base while attempting to fool the public with empty overtures. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans, such as Cory Gardner and Martha McSally, are sitting on the sidelines of another Trump inflicted disaster instead of immediately taking up the Dream and Promise Act to permanently grant relief to Dreamers.

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27 JULY 2020

Nearly 6 Million Swing Voters in Top 2020 Battleground States Poised to Move Away From Trump on Immigration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Donald Trump doubles down on anti-immigrant rhetoric and a campaign strategy built around inciting fear and panic around immigration, a new voter model has identified nearly 6 million swing voters in key battleground states — Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — who move away from President Trump and toward Democrats when targeted with values-based immigration content. Commissioned by the Immigration Hub, Civis Analytics built the group of predictive models based on a survey of more than 9,000 voters, identifying nearly 6 million voters across the four battleground states who are most likely to be persuaded by pro-immigration messaging and move voters towards Democrats. The most persuadable voters are primarily suburban, white, not college-educated, and male — a key demographic crucial to Trump’s re-election campaign strategy. 

The predictive models were developed by analyzing the movement of voters towards a Democrat over Trump after voters were exposed to the Immigration Hub’s messaging through a series of immigration ads. Ultimately, the models identified a bloc of voters — “family patriots” — who were persuaded by narratives in the ads that elevate core American values — patriotism, unity and, fairness — and familiar connection and interdependency between immigrants and non-immigrants.

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23 JULY 2020

New Polling Shows Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Election Strategy in Failing

WASHINGTONNewly released polling of swing voters across twelve battleground states indicates that Trump’s anti-immigrant electoral strategy is failing.  After three years of demonizing immigrants, most recently through the unconstitutional attacks on the census, and advancing policies that cut immigration at the expense of families and communities across the country, newly released polling shows that voters continue to reject Trump’s immigration agenda. 

The poll, commissioned by America’s Voice, FWD.us, and the Immigration Hub, was conducted by Global Strategy Group across twelve battleground states earlier this summer. It found that 51% of voters disapprove of the job President Trump is doing on immigration. Importantly, 43% of voters indicate that Trump’s immigration policies are a reason to vote against him.  The survey further found that Trump is losing a key battle on immigration around concerns over differing approaches to the issue. 

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19 JULY 2020

With Renewed Attacks on Immigrants, Trump Engineering Colossal Upset for Sen. Cory Gardner and Other Complicit GOP Incumbents As Latino and Independent Voters Move Away From the Republican Party

DENVER — During a briefing call hosted by the Immigration Hub on Friday afternoon, Secretary Ken Salazar, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2), and immigration and campaign experts highlighted the political backlash against President Trump’s attacks on immigrant communities and Dreamers, and its impact on the Colorado Senate race and vulnerable Republicans in battleground states where the Latino vote is critical to win. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) and other Republicans' — who have embraced Trump's endorsement — electoral prospects have diminished. Recent polling indicates a sea change in Colorado and national sentiment on the issue among key swaths of the 2020 electorate, including Independents and Latino voters.

“Latino voters are a keystone to a Biden victory for President and a Hickenlooper win in Colorado,” said Secretary Salazar. “In each of the critical battleground States and across the nation, 32 million Latinos will lift their voices to reject the disparaging divisive actions of President Trump and usher in a new era of a more just and inclusive America.”

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10 JULY 2020

Joint Statement on Immigration Policy Recommendations from the Unity Task Force

WASHINGTON — The following statement in support of the immigration policy recommendations submitted by the Unity Task Force to the Biden Campaign this week was made today on behalf of eight of the nation’s leading immigration advocacy organizations, including America's Voice, Community Change Action, Families Belong Together, Immigration Hub, Resilience Force, Service Employees International Union, UnidosUS Action Fund and United We Dream Action.

“Immigrant and refugee families throughout the country have long been integral members of America. Together, our movement of advocates and activists have collectively organized to demand solutions that protect our families without hurting people.

“We support the immigration policy recommendations delivered to the Biden Campaign this week by the Unity Task Force, which represent an important vision for January 2021 and serve as a rejection to President Trump’s consistent, relentless assault on immigrants.

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19 JUNE 2020

New Battleground Poll: Relentless Efforts to Deport Dreamers Jeopardizes Vote for President Trump

WASHINGTON - Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to block President Trump’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program - and Trump's new pledge to end DACA today, a new poll finds large bipartisan support in twelve battleground states to provide a path to citizenship to Dreamers. Additionally, the majority of voters surveyed had doubts about voting for President Donald Trump due to his support for the deportation of Dreamers.

The poll, commissioned by America’s Voice, FWD.us, and the Immigration Hub, was conducted May 27 - June 3 (before the Supreme Court announcement) by Global Strategy Group and surveyed 1,504 likely voters across twelve battleground states. Consistent with previous polling, a majority of voters support a solution to provide citizenship for Dreamers, instead of deporting them. Among the primary findings:

  • 72% of voters support citizenship for Dreamers, including 72% of swing voters, 88% of Democrats, 69% of Independents, and 57% of Republicans. 

  • President Trump’s support for deportation of Dreamers raises “major doubts” with 51% of voters, including 51% of swing voters, making it his top vulnerability on the issue of immigration among a variety of messages tested.

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18 JUNE 2020

SCOTUS Decision Pauses Trump Crusade to Deport Dreamers

WASHINGTON — Following the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, ruling that President Trump did not properly terminate DACA, Sergio Gonzales, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub issued the following statement: 

 “Today’s Supreme Court decision upheld what we know to be true: Trump’s relentless crusade against Dreamers was unlawful and that for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, the United States is – and always will be – home. This critical ruling comes as the nation reels from police violence against Black communities which has exposed once again the deep and systemic racism and anti-Blackness that flows throughout our country.

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1 JUNE 2020

Immigration Hub: Black Lives Matter.

WASHINGTON— In solidarity with Black communities, the Immigration Hub issued the following statement in support of nationwide protests against police brutality and against systemic racism and violence towards Black communities:

"We solemnly and wholeheartedly support the historic, bold movements across cities demanding our nation acknowledge and address rampant abuses and systemic racism against Black communities.

"Black lives matter. It is a statement, a cry, and a truth that we must actualize through our own work — not just today, but every day and in our daily lives. 

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15 MAY 2020

National Organizations Commend VP Joe Biden’s Commitment to Citizenship for Immigrants

WASHINGTON— The following is a joint statement from America's Voice, Community Change Action, Families Belong Together, Immigration Hub, National Immigration Law Center Immigrant Justice Fund, Resilience Force, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and UnidosUS Action Fund on Vice President Joe Biden’s recent remarks on immigration during a televised interview:

“The immigrant justice movement has been fighting for citizenship and to reform our enforcement system for years, working tirelessly to win legalization for the millions of undocumented people who are a key pillar of our economy, our families and our communities.

“Last night, Vice President Biden committed to sending a bill to Congress that creates a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants on his first day in office. We will continue to organize to make Biden’s commitment a reality as we work to defeat Donald Trump in November.

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12 MAY 2020

Immigration Hub: House Democrats’ Stimulus Proposal Protects Country By Protecting All Families Regardless of Immigration Status

WASHINGTONThe following is a statement from Kerri Talbot, Director of Federal Advocacy for the Immigration Hub, in response to the House Democratic proposal, the Heroes Act: 

"We welcome the new Democratic stimulus package proposal that fills major gaps left by prior relief efforts, including health care and economic protections for all communities, regardless of immigration status.

“Notably, the Heroes Act does what the Trump Administration and Republicans have failed to do: protect and extend relief to all families and essential workers, including green card holders, Dreamers, TPS-holders, and undocumented communities.

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27 APRIL 2020

Julián Castro and National Latino Leaders: Our Government is Failing Latinos in Coronavirus Response

WASHINGTON — In a story in Newsweek, twenty-one national Latino leaders of major organizations unveiled a letter stressing the impact of the current pandemic on Latino communities in America and urging Congress and the Trump administration to ensure that all families and individuals, regardless of immigration status and race are protected equally and fairly during the Coronavirus crisis. The advocates call for a comprehensive fourth relief plan that addresses all the gaps left by previous relief legislation.

Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub and letter signatory, Sergio Gonzales, stated, “While the Trump Administration fumbles the federal response to coronavirus, Latinos and immigrants are being devastated. The legislative packages passed by Congress so far do nowhere near enough to ensure that these communities have adequate access to testing, healthcare and economic support to weather this crisis. While President Trump continues to make matters worse by ending DACA, trying to strip the ACA, and continuing to let ICE run wild, we need leaders to step up with real solutions to help some of the most adversely impacted and at-risk families.”

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30 JULY 2019

New Poll: Majority of Michigan Voters Disapprove of Trump on Job Performance, Immigration and Racist Attacks 

Heading into the Second Democratic Debate in Detroit, Critical Michigan Voting Blocs Reject Trump’s Politics of Cruelty and Bigotry

MICHIGAN - MICHIGAN - As Democratic candidates prepare to debate tonight in Detroit, new polling shows that the majority of Michigan voters, including critical voting blocs of women and Independents, disapprove of President Trump’s handling of immigration, his policies on the issue, and racist rhetoric. 

A new survey of Michigan voters, by Change Research and the Immigration Hub, found that voters in the state reflect national and battleground trends: the majority (54%) of voters disapprove of Trump’s job as president, including 64% of Michigan women and 54% of Independents. The president’s disapproval ratings on immigration and his recent racist attacks against four members of Congress also continue to demonstrate his waning support with battleground voters, particularly women. 

“Voters in Michigan, including the women that Trump needs to win the state, soundly reject his racist and cruel policies,” stated Tyler Moran, Director of the Immigration Hub. “As Democratic candidates make their case in Detroit over the next two days, they should continue to lay out values-based solutions to the immigration system that contrast with Trump's attacks that are intended to divide the electorate.”

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26 JUNE 2019

New Polling Outlines Democrats’ Path to Victory on Immigration in 2020 with Swing and Democratic Voters 

Voters rejected Trump's Immigration Gambit in the 2018 Midterms. A Strong Majority of Voters Continues to Reject Trump's Playbook and Wants Solutions

WASHINGTON - As President Trump seeks to rile up his base by doubling down on draconian anti-immigrant policies, new polling shows that a clear majority of Americans – including swing and Democratic primary voters – strongly support common-sense and humane immigration solutions over fear-mongering and the wall. The findings underscore the opportunity for Democrats to successfully win the debate on immigration by leading with solutions that clearly contrast Trump's approach and are broadly appealing to both general election and Democratic primary voters.

The new poll, conducted among both voters in twelve 2020 battleground states and among Democratic primary voters nationwide by Global Strategy Group and commissioned by the Immigration Hub, finds that President Trump is vulnerable on immigration.  A majority (52%) of voters in swing states disapprove of his job on immigration, a number nearly identical to his overall job rating (53% disapprove).  And voters in swing states resoundingly reject his immigration policies -- 75% support ending the policy of separating parents from their children at the border.  

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23 MAY 2019

New Poll Shows Majority of CO, PA, and MI Voters Strongly Support Citizenship for Dreamers and TPS-holders

Trump’s Divisive Tactics Still Rejected by Critical Voting Blocs in Battleground States

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee marks up the Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6. The bill provides Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) a process to earn citizenship.  As Trump kicks off his re-election campaign focused on winning Michigan, Pennsylvania and Colorado, a new poll, commissioned by the Immigration Hub and conducted by Change Research, found that the majority of Colorado, Pennsylvania and Michigan voters, across party lines, support legislation offering Dreamers and TPS-holders citizenship.

“Trump has made crystal clear that his 2020 strategy is all about immigration, but voters want solutions and not carnival barking and policies that separate families”stated Tyler Moran, Director of the Immigration Hub. “The Dream and Promise Act is just that. The bill protects over 1 million community members, colleagues and neighbors who are Dreamers and TPS holders from being deported from the only country that they know.”

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21 MAY 2019

As Trump Arrives in PA, New Poll Shows Majority of Pennsylvania Voters Strongly Support Citizenship for Dreamers and TPS-holders

Trump-Kushner Backwards Proposal Ignores Dreamers and TPS Families as Pennsylvania Voters Seek Solutions, Not Division and Distractions

PENNSYLVANIA – While President Trump will hold a rally in Lycoming County today, the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee is readying to mark up the Dream and Promise Act, H.R. 6, tomorrow. The bill provides Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) a process to earn citizenship. A new poll, commissioned by the Immigration Hub and conducted by Change Research last week, found that the majority of Pennsylvania voters, across party lines, support legislation offering Dreamers and TPS-holders citizenship.

“Trump’s “caravan” strategy in the 2018 midterm elections was a loser with Pennsylvania voters, who made their opposition to Trump’s divisive, anti-immigrant rhetoric clear at the ballot box,” stated Tyler Moran, Director of the Immigration Hub.“Pennsylvanians don’t want to hear about Trump’s manufactured crisis at the southern border; they  want smart and responsible solutions. The Dream and Promise Act is just that.  The bill protects over 1 million community members, colleagues and neighbors who are Dreamers and TPS holders from being deported from the only country that they know.”

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23 JAN 2019

Over 100 National and Local Organizations Urge Congress to Reject Trump-McConnell Anti-Immigrant Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC - With Senate votes scheduled for tomorrow, 112 organizations from across the nation came together to express their vehement opposition to the Trump-McConnell “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act” anti-immigrant bill, which would dramatically increase the number of detention beds and Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents; fail to provide real relief for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)-holders; gut the asylum process; and build an ineffective and wasteful border wall.

In the letter, over 100 organizations enumerate their shared grievances, concluding, “we urge you to reject the “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border” Act. This bill is an extreme, enforcement-heavy approach that pays lip service to providing relief to immigrant communities. It is not a good faith effort to negotiate on immigration policy. After nearly a month of a painful government shutdown, we ask that you pass H.R. 268 and immediately open the government without these poison pills.”

See below for full text of letter…

January 23, 2019

 The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader

Re: Reopen the federal government without poison pill policy proposals Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer:

 We, the undersigned organizations, write to ask you to reject the Trump-McConnell “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act” and to reopen the government immediately instead of holding federal workers hostage for extreme immigration proposals.

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10 JAN 2019

New Poll: Government Shutdown Hurting Senate Republicans Up for Reelection in 2020

Voters would also oppose President Trump declaring a “National Emergency” to fund wall

Washington, DC – New polling from Public Policy Polling (PPP), commissioned by MoveOn and the Immigration Hub, shows the government shutdown demanded by President Donald Trump and supported by Congressional Republicans is hurting Senate Republicans up for reelection in 2020. The polls, which were conducted in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Alaska, Georgia, and North Carolina, show that across the board, voters oppose Trump’s and the Republicans’ wall and want Congress to vote to re-open the government without any funding for the wall.

The polls also showed that sticking with President Trump on the shutdown makes voters less likely to vote for the GOP Senators in 2020.

Additionally, voters polled in Iowa, Maine, and North Carolina were also asked if they would oppose a plan to declare a national emergency to build the wall by diverting funds from other government agencies. Voters in the three states overwhelmingly opposed the plan.

Topline findings:

  • Majority of voters surveyed in the seven states do not agree with President Trump that the government should be kept closed until he gets funding for the wall.

  • Majority of voters in the seven states oppose President Trump’s demand that Congress spend billions in taxpayer dollars to build a wall along the southern border.

  • Majority of voters surveyed said they would be less likely to support their Republican Senator in the next elections because of their support of President Trump’s plan to keep the government closed for funding for a border wall.

  • Majority of voters surveyed in three states said they oppose any plan to declare a national emergency to build the wall.

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10 JAN 2019

New Poll: Senator Gardner Losing Colorado Independent Voters as Majority of Voters Oppose Wall and Blame Shutdown on Republicans

If Elections Were Held Today, Majority of Colorado Voters Would Opt for Senator Gardner’s Unnamed Democratic Opponent

Washington, DC – New polling from Public Policy Polling (PPP), commissioned by MoveOn and the Immigration Hub, shows that Colorado voters overwhelmingly oppose President Trump and congressional Republicans’ government shutdown and calls for the wall. In fact, the shutdown is hurting Senator Cory Gardner’s 2020 chances among critical Colorado voters.

With over 15,000 federal employees in Colorado are furloughed or working without pay, the majority of Colorado voters polled - including 62% of Independents - want Congress to vote to re-open the government without any funding for the wall. Other topline findings include

  • 54% of Colorado voters surveyed including 64% of Independents, blame Trump and Republicans in Congress the most for the government shutdown.

  • 58% of Coloradans, including 69% of Independent voters, disagree with President Trump that the government should be kept closed until he gets funding for the wall.

  • 56% of Colorado voters, including 66% of Independents, oppose President Trump’s demand that Congress spend billions in taxpayer dollars to build a wall along the southern border.

  • 61% of Independents - and almost of half of Colorado voters surveyed - are less likely to support Senator Gardner in his next election because of his support for President Trump’s plan to keep the government closed if he doesn’t get funding for a border wall.

  • In fact, if elections were held today, 47% of Colorado voters surveyed would vote for the Democratic opponent instead of Senator Gardner.

You can see the full polling memo here.

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13 NOV 2018

2018 Midterm Lessons: Pennsylvania and Colorado Surveys Show Voter Backlash to Trump’s Immigration Playbook

WASHINGTON, DC- President Trump made immigration the focal point of the midterms and made clear that he believes “it is going to be an election about the caravan.” From Lou Barletta and Scott Wagner in Pennsylvania, to Walker Stapleton in Colorado, and a whole host of House and legislative races, new findings show the majority of voters roundly rejected Trump’s playbook of anti-immigrant political stunts and rhetoric.

Trump’s immigration policies and language were largely echoed by Republican candidates. They ran almost 300,000 anti-immigrant ads, spending over one hundred million dollars. The electoral results demonstrate an increasingly growing American electorate choosing pro-immigrant candidates over those employing Trump’s immigration strategy.

Today, the Immigration Hub released two new polls, conducted by Global Strategy Group, of voters in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Colorado. Similar to voters across the nation, the surveys found that a majority of Pennsylvania and Colorado voters were not galvanized or convinced by rhetoric on the caravan or sanctuary cities.

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13 NOV 2018

New Pennsylvania Poll and GOTV Efforts Show the Backlash to the GOP Immigration Playbook

View poll findings

A recording of the call is available here

PENNSYLVANIA - President Trump made immigration the focal point of the midterms and made clear that he believed “it is going to be an election about the caravan.” Today, the Immigration Hub released a new poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group, of Pennsylvania voters, revealing voter backlash against President Trump and Republican candidates’ immigration rhetoric and policies.

Similar to voters across the nation, the survey found that a majority of Pennsylvania voters were not galvanized or convinced by rhetoric on the caravan or sanctuary cities. In fact, Trump’s immigration playbook, echoed by Lou Barletta, Scott Wagner and John Chrin, failed to work in favor of the candidates. Senator Bob Casey, a pro-immigrant candidate, had an impressive showing, winning back Obama-Trump counties and exceeding past performances in the Pittsburgh market.

“New polling we conducted in the immediate aftermath of the election shows that Trump’s anti-immigrant focus backfired with voters in Pennsylvania,” stated Nick Gourevitch, Partner at Global Strategy Group. “Voters found that Republican candidate alignment with Trump on immigration was more of a reason to vote against those candidates than to vote for them, including with politically important groups like voters in Pennsylvania who voted for Trump in 2016 and shifted to Bob Casey in 2018.”

The Immigration Hub, along with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), also commissioned an additional survey of nearly 2,000 registered Pennsylvania voters, polling their views on gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner’s ad, “Caravan”. The results show that Wagner’s ad failed to mobilize the majority of Pennsylvania voters to support Wagner, and in some cases even backfired by increasing turnout intentions of one of the most coveted Pennsylvania voting bloc - female voters, both liberal-leaning and moderate women. In fact, 62% of moderate suburban female voters did not support Scott Wagner’s ad.

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13 NOV 2018

New Colorado Poll and GOTV Efforts Show the Backlash to the GOP Immigration Playbook

View the exit poll finding

A recording of the call is available here

COLORADO - President Trump made immigration the focal point of the midterms and made clear that he believed “it is going to be an election about the caravan.” Today, the Immigration Hub released a new poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group, of Colorado voters, revealing voter backlash against President Trump and Republican candidates’ immigration rhetoric and policies.

Similar to voters across the nation, the survey found that overwhelmingly the majority of Colorado voters were not galvanized or convinced by anti-immigrant rhetoric. In fact, Trump’s immigration playbook, echoed by Walker Stapleton and GOP state legislative candidates, failed to work in favor of Republicans. Jared Polis, a pro-immigrant candidate, had an impressive showing, exceeding Hillary Clinton's 2016 margins.

“New polling we conducted in the immediate aftermath of the election shows that Trump’s anti-immigrant focus backfired with voters in Colorado,” stated Nick Gourevitch, Partner at Global Strategy Group. “Voters found that Republican candidate alignment with Trump on immigration was more of a reason to vote against those candidates than to vote for them, including with politically important groups like Independents in Colorado.”

The Immigration Hub also commissioned Change Research to conduct an additional online survey of 525 likely voters in Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District. The survey found that majority of CD-6 voters rejected President Trump’s recent political ploys on immigration, including his anti-immigrant ad centered on the migrant caravan. In fact, 62 percent of women and 71 percent of Hispanics were less likely to support Trump’s immigration policies after watching his caravan ad. (View the rest of the results here.)

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