President Joe Biden stood firm as the nation’s leader last night during his first joint session of Congress. He spoke about combating the COVID-19 pandemic, urged Americans to get vaccinated, and shared his plans on healthcare, foreign policy, gun control, police brutality, jobs, infrastructure, and immigration. As predicted, President Biden used this joint session of Congress as an opportunity to push members of Congress to pass legislation with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Here are some of our favorite moments of the night:
He started off by recognizing that immigration is essential to America:
“Immigration has always been essential to America” – @POTUS #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/XGnIRQVRHS
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 29, 2021
He also acknowledged that the U.S. is long overdue for immigration reform:
“For more than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and done nothing about it. It’s tome to fix it.” – @POTUS #JointAddress
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 29, 2021
Biden commended the contributions of immigrants during the pandemic and throughout our history:
"Immigrants have done so much for America during the pandemic—as they have throughout our history.”
It’s time to pass just immigration reform. #JointAddress #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/Kz4ueld7zO
— Families Belong Together (@fams2gether) April 29, 2021
He also recognized that nothing has been done to address immigration for 30 years:
“For more than 30 years, politicians have talked about immigration reform and done nothing about it. It’s tome to fix it.” – @POTUS #JointAddress
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 29, 2021
It is time to pass immigration reform that will ensure the protections of thousands of people who are already part of our communities:
Pres Biden in his #JointAddress: "The country supports immigration reform. We should act."
This is a historic moment, & people across the country are looking to Congress to pass a path to citizenship for Dreamers, #TPS holders, & immigrant essential workers this year. #WeAreHome pic.twitter.com/kAflra7aMm
— FWD.us (@FWDus) April 29, 2021
"Congress needs to pass legislation this year to fully secure protection for the Dreamers…and permanent protections for immigrants on Temporary Protected Status who come from countries beset by man – made and natural made violence and disaster." – @POTUS #JointSession pic.twitter.com/2ksAWH5Q6O
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 29, 2021
For some immigration advocates, it was the first time they heard a president of the United States call for protections for TPS holders:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the 1st time a POTUS has called on Congress to pass permanent protections for TPS-holders. This means a lot to families who have been here for decades, hoping/praying/working to become U.S. citizens one day. #Passthebills #JointSession
— Beatriz Lopez (@Beatrizluthor) April 29, 2021
Biden also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration:
“We also have to get at the root of the problem of what people are fleeing to our Southern Border from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The violence. The corruption. The gangs. The political instability. Hunger. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.” – @POTUS #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/dBJYQhoiPt
— America's Voice (@AmericasVoice) April 29, 2021
After Biden’s speech, the Republican response was as predicted, filled with their same strategic racist frame:
And the Republican response was…as predicted. The GOP responded to Biden's speech with their same strategic racist frame. Sen. Scott also did a shout-out to the "crisis"-con as well. We should be fooled that his is a "new tone" from the GOP, just look below for the evidence. pic.twitter.com/RMM1BGD7KR
— Zachary.A.Mueller (@ZacharyAMueller) April 29, 2021
All this to say, we have a lot to look forward to in the next 4 years. Undoing Trump’s cruel and ineffective deterrence policies won’t be easy, but Biden reassured the American public that together, we will make strides to a future that is more inclusive.
