On Tuesday May 18, the #WeAreHome Campaign and Immigration Hub organized a virtual “Lobby Day” to support an expanded path to citizenship. The event centered around collective demands for Dreamers, TPS holders, essential workers, and more. This Lobby Day was an opportunity for various organizers to educate members of Congress on immigration issues but also to drive the message home that we need citizenship for the 11 million undocumented individuals living in our country.
Did you miss the speeches from #LobbyDay yesterday? We have you covered. Check out what members of Congress had to say about creating a path to citizenship. #WeAreHome @SenSchumer @SpeakerPelosi @SenatorMenendez @SenBooker @SenAlexPadilla @RepJudyChu pic.twitter.com/PNhVJlAiju
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 19, 2021
Here is a quick recap of the day :
At 12pm EST there was a virtual luncheon centered on citizenship for essential workers with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, CHC Chair Raul Ruiz, CAPAC Chair Judy Chu, faith leaders, leaders from UFW, CHIRLA, UndocuBlack, and various essential workers who came to tell their stories.
Speaker Pelosi opened by discussing the history of immigration in our country and the importance of meaningful legislation. She also expressed her support for Dreamers and DACA recipients and made it clear that need a path to citizenship is needed.
.@SpeakerPelosi: "There’s nothing partisan about honoring the contributions of newcomers to America.” #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/jOgQRfgMqm
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
"Democrats celebrating immigrants is a value — it's not a provision on a bill — IT IS A VALUE!"@SpeakerPelosi now shares the time she stood in Congress FOR HOURS sharing the stories of Dreamers and #DACA recipients. #WeAreHome https://t.co/LG7AWLFvsA
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) May 18, 2021
"Immigrants make America more American, with their determination for a better future for their families. More importantly, we owe them not only gratitude, but ACTION." –@SpeakerPelosi #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/3vNwq9JBsz
— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) May 18, 2021
Patrice Lawrence, of UndocuBlack Network, said that fear is palpable in undocumented communities as many do not know if their status will change.
Patrice Lawrence: "We have lived in this country for over 20 years and are at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet often we are afraid to hear ourselves say #WeAreHome as we know this can be taken away at any time."@UndocuBlack #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/g28tmq6s8S
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
NOW @UndocuBlack_Pat of @UndocuBlack: We urge Congress and @POTUS to build a path to citizens for immigrant communities, regardless of the color of their skin, regardless where they are from, and who they pray to can live in dignity.#WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/Gu9DNg41rX
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) May 18, 2021
Bishnu Adhikari, a Nepali TPS holder, Adhikaar member, and Uber driver described his experience as someone who served his community during COVID but still does not have citizenship.
Bishnu Adhikari: "I have been continuously paying my taxes since I came to the U.S. and have been contributing to the U.S. economy throughout the pandemic." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/fVYK31UASP
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
Representative Judy Chu reminded the participants of the history of immigration in our country and how we should honor everyone who wants to make America their home.
.@RepJudyChu: "If you work hard, lay roots, and contribute, you deserve the chance to stay here no matter where you were born." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/eU46m1F0fT
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment was when Cristina Medina, farm worker and UFW Foundation member, described how isolating it feels to live in the darkness of society as an undocumented individual.
Cristina Medina: "It is hard to leave your kids. I live in darkness because I fear that I might not go back home and see my children. My darkness is also that I have not seen my parents in 25 years." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/u2pmDHlc4R
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/Beatrizluthor/status/1394697317027127297?s=20
Representative Raul Ruiz explained the dynamics of congressional leadership and where we are with the fight for immigration reform, and emphasized how congress must take a step forward and make change happen.
Rep. Raul Ruiz: "This past year we have seen Hispanic families carry the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic… They stepped up for us and our nation needs to step up for them." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/WMEI33Cqy0
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
At 6pm EST, leaders of the #WeAreHome campaign, progressive partners, grassroots organizations, DACA recipients, TPS holders, farm workers, and undocumented essential workers gathered together to hold an evening rally.
Senator Bob Menendez reminded participants that immigration reform is long overdue and necessary for immigrants to reach their full potential.
.@SenatorMenendez: "Our immigration was broken long before Donald Trump and it will remain broken for years to come if Congress doesn't act." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/u6eRPZQ066
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
Gabriela Cruz, from United We Dream expressed how urgent the need is to make sure that communities receive a path to citizenship.
Gabriela Cruz: "This is the year we will deliver… communities cannot wait." #WeAreHome #LobbyDay pic.twitter.com/lIw17dNkal
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) May 18, 2021
Senator Schumer reassured the American public that achieving immigration reform is one of the great moral obligations of our times. He promised that he will not rest until undocumented immigrants are out of the shadows.
"That's why as senate majority leader, one of my top priorities is passing comprehensive immigration legislation — including a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people living in the United States." — @SenSchumer #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/hdeX7Ed1Wf
— Families Belong Together (@fams2gether) May 19, 2021
In closing, Las Cafeteras closed off the event with a song honoring this land which we stand on, and the final remarks of “No ban, no wall, citizenship for all!”
Wow! Amazing .@lascafeteras singing the soundtrack of America: This land was made for you and me! #CitizenshipNow #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/3c5Y9GKYYN
— Immigration Hub (@USImmHUB) May 18, 2021