29 SEPT 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.

“Yes, the Senate parliamentarian got it wrong but this is not the end. We cannot allow the parliamentarian’s opinion to jeopardize the security of millions of immigrant families. I remain optimistic that we will find a path forward to secure protections for millions of immigrants in this package. There are other options and this is the time to get it done. The responsibility to take action rests firmly on congressional Democrats, who need to double down and deliver for the voters who elected them, a majority of whom demand a pathway to citizenship. Otherwise, Democrats know the price to pay will be steep at the ballot box.”

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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.