02 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.
“The Biden administration entered their first year facing countless obstacles to reforming an almost unrecognizable American immigration system. They made notable advancements in rolling back harmful Trump policies and implementing new ones that are more fair, orderly and humane. We applaud that tonight, in spite of a crowded field of priorities ranging from foreign policy to COVID-19 recovery, the president re-committed himself to addressing this key issue of immigration and upholding the core values of liberty and justice as he does it. He laid out some key areas where he and Vice President Harris are taking action to improve our legal immigration system, keep families together and work with our neighboring countries to address the root causes of migration. He reiterated the urgency to pass legislation creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, farmworkers and TPS holders.
“There is still much to be done to bring relief and justice for immigrant communities. And this cannot wait. We must be honest in saying that there have been missteps and that we are still a long way from the bold new vision for our immigration system the president put forward during his campaign. The president and his administration have a chance to make meaningful progress this year.
“President Biden mentioned his support for citizenship for individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and we believe the administration should immediately grant TPS to vulnerable people living in the United States. TPS for Cameroon, Ukraine, Central American nations, and other eligible countries is an action that President Biden can immediately take to show both Americans and the world that we are a nation that honors its commitment to welcoming and defending those fleeing persecution or disasters. Many immigrants currently in the U.S. who would be eligible for TPS are already filling critical jobs and sustaining essential industries at a time when American businesses are desperately seeking to invigorate their workforce. To not issue TPS to these countries would be a moral and economic failure and a significant political misstep.
“In this most consequential year, President Biden has the opportunity to fully revitalize his original vision for a modern, compassionate immigration system and live up to his campaign promises. The American people want solutions that will strengthen, not complicate, legal pathways for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers so they can join and empower American society. The American people don’t want the policies of the past, such as Title 42, that block and deport refugees without a fair process, but instead they want assurances that our borders are managed by treating migrants with dignity while we work with the international community to tackle the reasons forcing migrants to take on a dangerous journey to find refuge and safety. The American people want to know that President Biden is taking aggressive action on immigration because for too long inaction has been the status quo.
“Neither fear nor outdated political misconceptions should get in the way of much-needed progress. Both Democrats in Congress and President Biden must act courageously to deliver immigration policies that will protect Dreamers, farm workers and undocumented immigrants and truly rebuild our immigration system. This is not just about a momentous election year, but how we make history and redefine America’s path for generations to come.”
Last week, the Immigration Hub along with twenty-five advocacy 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. For more information, click here.
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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.