On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, thousands of immigration advocates from across the country marched the streets of Washington, D.C. to demand Congress includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the budget reconciliation package. The march was part of a nationwide effort to ensure Congress invests in the care economy and green infrastructure that will help fight climate change. This comes less than 2 days after a devastating decision by the Senate Parliamentarian to not include a pathway to citizenship in the budget bill, making the march even more prominent as members of both the House and the Senate returned from August recess.
Advocates across the country have worked tirelessly to construct a budget that would include legalization for millions of undocumented immigrants as there has not been significant immigration legislation passed in the last 35 years. President Biden says he supports immigration legislation and promised that a pathway to citizenship would be possible. It is now time for Congress to act. Senate Democrats must continue to present alternative solutions so the lives of millions are no longer in limbo.Voters expect elected officials to stay true to and deliver on their promises.
The march made advocates’ message clear: Congress must deliver on a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Led by immigration organizations, the #WelcomeBackCongress rally was 10,000 strong:
We are 10,0000 strong 💪🏿 taking over the streets of DC, fighting for citizenship & climate justice. #WelcomeBackCongress!
🥇 🥇 🏆 🏆 @domesticworkers @FIRM_action @popdemoc @nakasec @maketheroadny @thenyic @UFWFoundation @SEIU @iAmericaorg @CongActionNet @ufwupdates pic.twitter.com/zxbJtDtrdh
— CASA (@CASAforall) September 21, 2021
WOW! How it looks like with thousands upon thousands of people take over DC to demand citizenship, climate, and care. #WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/ibkXtzrsWU
— Daniel Altschuler 🦋 (@altochulo) September 21, 2021
Thousands and thousands of people at the #WeAreHome rally in Washington.
Immigration Reform Now!#WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/8UYNRFggct
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 21, 2021
Hundreds have already gathered as we prepare to march to demand a pathway to citizenship. #WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/bSnMOPD5UW
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
Some members of Congress also participated in the march and reassured the public that they will continue to fight for immigration reform:
Congressman Chuy Garcia:
Earlier today, I joined the #WelcomeBackCongress March and Rally for Immigration. I spoke about the urgent need for a pathway to citizenship for those who call our country home. The moment is now, the fight is not over. #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/2FRF6UQPhO
— Congressman Chuy García (@RepChuyGarcia) September 21, 2021
.@RepChuyGarcia: “Keep up the fight. We can win. This is the year.” #WeAreHome #WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/u3HyPJZHPG
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar:
.@IlhanMN: “We have the House, the Senate, and the White House. We will not accept any excuse for the inability to provide a pathway to citizenship.” #WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/MFgc1f9O5s
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
.@IlhanMN: “You exemplify the very best of our country and you belong here.” #WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/6UdqlGVeRO
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
Senator Menendez:
Thank you @SenatorMenendez for being a fierce advocate. We’re counting on you to deliver citizenship
“The parliamentarian made a decision but we believe it’s the not the right decision. It is NOT the final decision. We will continue to fight until we find a path to citizenship.” pic.twitter.com/X4Xj6E88RO
— Make the Road New Jersey 🦋 (@MaketheRoadNJ) September 21, 2021
.@SenatorMenendez: “The Parliamentarian made a decision. We believe not only is it not the right decision but it is also not the final decision.” #WeAreHome #WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/nVdtoblvwB
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
Senator Padilla:
Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers, and essential workers have earned the right to live without fear of deportation.
With the power of this movement behind us, we are going to get it done. ¡Si se puede! #WeAreHome #WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/otsGw2EJ5a
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) September 21, 2021
.@SenPadilla on immigration in the budget reconciliation “keep it up, we’re going to get it done.”
Yes we are, so #WelcomeBackCongress and let’s get to work! #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/YPjod6s4Gh
— CASA (@CASAforall) September 21, 2021
.@SenAlexPadilla: “You have earned the right to live without fear of deportation… That is the opportunity before us.” #WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/AhsPGHKegD
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
Senator Schumer:
I stood with Mario at the #WeAreHome Rally today.
As an undocumented New York essential worker, he’s fought for us during this pandemic.
We’re fighting for him and so many others like him. pic.twitter.com/621uqImqS5
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 22, 2021
.@SenSchumer: “A path to citizenship for the undocumented is the humane thing to do, the moral thing to do… All of us are meeting in a few hours and we will go back and fight some more!” #WeAreHome #WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/420Vt69HEm
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
The march would not be possible without the organizations that have been calling for a path to citizenship:
DC: NOW!Our Co-ED @UndocuBlack_Pat is MC today! We will continue to create pressure.We'll continue to show up.We'll highlight the racist actions of this administration.We'll uplift our narratives.We'll continue to fight for PERMANENT STATUS, & a pathway to citizenship #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/mFMFZskBZ2
— UndocuBlack Network (@UndocuBlack) September 21, 2021
THREAD
Thousands are marching now to tell Congress how urgent it is they deliver a pathway to citizenship #ForOurFamilies via reconciliation. This is the year. The Biden Administration and a growing chorus of Democratic lawmakers all agree. #WelcomeBackCongress pic.twitter.com/HNRBX2YjSC
— FWD.us (@FWDus) September 21, 2021
The energy, conviction, and power of our community. CHIRLA joining the @WelcomeBackCongress march in Washington, DC. A path to citizenship can be done now. Updating Registry Date is an option. @WeAreHome @CASAforall @nakasec @ufwfoundation @FIRM_Action @GND_Network pic.twitter.com/zNFNKPLr4R
— CHIRLA (@CHIRLA) September 21, 2021
“Migration is a human right, and denying immigrants the same freedom and protections that citizens have is unjust and it is deeply rooted in racism and classism.”
Wise words from Min Hee Cho of @HANACenter #Citizenship4All #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/yYv7QLd6Jy
— NAKASEC (@nakasec) September 21, 2021
Congress is back in session, and today thousands of immigrants & allies #WelcomeBackCongress on the streets of DC to demand they do their job!
Our communities can’t continue to bear the brunt of inaction.
We’re here demanding change on immigration, climate & care. #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/e2TRlzNvNP
— Make the Road NY 🦋 (@MaketheRoadNY) September 21, 2021
#WelcomeBackCongress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/FAMnk9BhWj
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) September 21, 2021
We are on the move in DC!
We aren’t backing down!#WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/e6UdvcOM3k— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) September 21, 2021
The march demonstrated that there is power in numbers and Congress must continue to fight for immigrant rights. A pathway to citizenship is the only way forward.
