“This vote is a major step forward. The momentum is building. The country is ready. And Democrats are primed to deliver, using every ounce of their majority.”
Washington, DC – Last night, the Senate moved America one step closer to enacting legislation that creates pathways to citizenship for millions of Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers. The passage of Senate Democrats’ budget resolution builds momentum for the ultimate passage of pathways to citizenship in Congress this year.
The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
The inclusion of citizenship for immigrant workers and families reflects where the American people are and what they want: to have Congress finally enact citizenship for millions of individuals who are already deeply American.
The Democratic Party, in both chambers of Congress and across ideologies, is putting its full weight behind the push to legalize millions of hard working immigrants who have helped America in our hour of need, and who are deeply interwoven into our families and neighborhoods.
Citizenship for America’s workforce is an investment in the American economy and one that will boost wages, reduce deficits, and accelerate GDP growth. It would directly impact the federal budget and we are confident, as a result, it will pass muster with the Senate Parliamentarian.
But this is more than just an issue of dollars and cents. It’s about the type of America we aspire to be. Expanding our democracy to deliver citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers is not just the smart thing to do, but also the right thing to do.
As Republicans go for broke with dangerous and reckless fear mongering – complete with talk of invasions and disease and crime – Democrats stand with the overwhelming majority of the American public, including a majority of Republican and Independent voters, who strongly back citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
This vote is a major step forward. The momentum is building. The country is ready. And Democrats are primed to deliver, using every ounce of their majority. This is the year, finally, for a historic legislative breakthrough on immigration.
