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.”
“We have waited on leaders to deliver on immigration for over three decades, and quite simply, we are done waiting,” said Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of Immigration Hub. “We are in a pivotal moment that will speak to who we are as a nation and highlights the stakes for undocumented communities across our country. The fate of millions of lives — like those of Dreamers — hang in the balance. Democrats must deliver on a pathway to citizenship, not just because of what it means for our economy, not just because of what it means for the lives of the undocumented community, but because there is a political imperative to do so. Latino voters want to see this done, and Democrats simply cannot afford to let the opportunity vanish and arrive at next year’s midterms empty-handed.”
“The President and Democrats in Congress do not get to hide behind a politicized and inaccurate ruling from an unelected staff attorney,” said Lorella Praeli, Co-President, Community Change Action and Co-Chair of We Are Home. “They have the votes to do all of these things if they want to. It’s just a matter of will and courage to use their power to get it done. We remain resolute that this is the year to get this done, and that reconciliation is the path.”
“The polling is clear: there is wide and deep support from Latino voters and the broader electorate for common sense, fair and humane immigration solutions,” said Stephanie Valencia, Co-Founder and President of EquisLabs. “Latino voters in critical districts know Democrats control the White House, House, and Senate, and they expect Democrats to deliver solutions to our broken immigration system, especially through a path to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders, those who have fled violence or disasters in certain countries, and essential workers. The bottom line is there could potentially be a huge political cost of inaction, but a huge political win for action.”
“During this pandemic, immigrants have kept our country fed, safe, and going. We must provide them relief in this trying time,” said Héctor Sánchez Barba, Executive Director and CEO of Mi Familia Vota. “Latinos turned out in record numbers in 2020 and we expect action on behalf of our immigrant familia. This is the right thing to do for our nation. itis time to stop exploiting workers and taking their rights away by keeping them in the shadows. Providing relief for immigrants in reconciliation is a key policy priority for the Latino community. This is the year we get meaningful change for our immigrant familia. We will keep mobilizing and will hold all politicians accountable on this critical issue.”
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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.