Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
“While the President didn’t linger much on immigration during last night’s State of the Union address, he should continue to use the bully pulpit to underscore the importance of action on this issue and the essential role immigrants play in our present and in our future. President Biden has a unique opportunity to draw contrasts with Republicans and – just like he has done with other issues – bring forth solutions consistent with our values and that are popular with American voters and beneficial to the economy.
If the GOP continues to obstruct and block the President’s agenda in Congress and the courts, despite strong public support for immigrants, the President should use his substantial executive powers to address the shortcomings of our out-of-date immigration system. He should confidently use executive actions on TPS, border security priorities like screening for fentanyl importation, and surge resources to our asylum system and the cities and towns receiving asylum seekers to make important progress.
But let’s be clear, the Administration needs to move away from the Trump and Stephen Miller approach of treating immigrants as if they are a detriment to the U.S., with no backsliding like the proposed asylum ban floated by the administration in January.
We welcome the Administration’s engagement on immigration and their efforts to put forth short- and longer-term solutions to address immigration, manage the border and address the hemispheric refugee crisis and factors that are forcing people to leave their home countries and make a dangerous trek to the U.S. border. They can and should do more, but the fact that they are engaging is significant and will hopefully continue beyond the brief mention in yesterday’s speech.”
Read yesterday’s statement from Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice, previewing the State of the Union: HERE
Read a Twitter thread from Vanessa Cárdenas during the State of the Union assessing the current moment on immigration policy and politics: HERE
