You can listen to a recording of the call here.
Earlier today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the Chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship was joined on a press call by Gary Segura of BSP Research and Juan Escalante, a Venezuelan-born DACA recipient and activist with FWD.us to summarize new polling conducted for FWD.us and America’s Voice and discuss discussed legislation going to the House floor next week, including the bipartisan bill Rep. Lofgren co-authored with Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (HR 1603) and the American Dream & Promise Act (HR 6) and also discussed the recent designation of Venezuela for TPS.
“The basic structure of the immigration system in our country hasn’t changed since 1965, and hasn’t had a major update in more than 30 years. It’s no wonder it doesn’t work well in 2021,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, the Biden-Harris Administration and outside experts to reform our nation’s outdated immigration system in ways that are consistent with American values and grow the American economy.”
Gary M. Segura, Ph.D, Co-founder & President, BSP Research, discussed recent polling conducted by FWD.us and America’s Voice, adding, “Fair or not, the Democrats own immigration as an issue. They will reap most of the reward if it passes, and they will bear a surprising burden of blame among Latino voters if it fails. Fifteen years of ‘trying’ is no longer enough. Fortunately for Democrats and immigration advocates alike, the polling makes clear that immigration reforms that put hard working people on a path to citizenship is wildly popular among every segment of the electorate—even Republicans. Establishing such a path for Dreamers, farm workers, essential workers and beyond enjoy super-majority support among the American people, while failure to act creates the possibility of disappointment and disengagement.”
Juan Escalante, Activist, Influencer and Digital Campaigns Manager for FWD.us, said, “No one should be deported to places where their lives will be at extreme risk, like my birthplace of Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuelan TPS is an important step—and one that is long overdue—but it shouldn’t deter Congress’s ongoing efforts to provide a permanent pathway to citizenship to undocumented immigrants, many of whom are essential workers like doctors and nurses, or farmworkers helping to keep food on our tables. The American people are more than ready for decisive action to put undocumented immigrants on a pathway to citizenship. There is no time to waste for such action.”
