WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) led 20 Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in urging Leader Pelosi to bring legislation to the floor that would grant DACA and TPS-recipients a pathway to citizenship within the first 100 days of the 116th Congress. In a letter to the Democratic Leader, the Members also highlighted the importance of comprehensive immigration reform laying out a framework for future legislation.
Currently, there are nearly 3.2 million Dreamers in the United States. Though the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided approximately 800,000 Dreamers with temporary protection since its inception in 2012, it is by no means a permanent solution and has been continuously challenged in the courts by the current Administration. Our Dreamers deserve the certainty to plan out their lives, so that they can stop living in fear and continue contributing to our nation. In addition, there are over 300,000 individuals under TPS, many of whom are from Latin America,” the Members wrote.
The Members continued: “Passing legislation as soon as possible in the new Congress that protects Dreamers and TPS holders is critical. Beyond these two pressing issues, our entire immigration system remains desperately in need of an overhaul. In addition to Dreamer and TPS legislation in the first hundred days, it is imperative that this body work on a comprehensive immigration reform package in the 116th Congress.”
Full text of the letter can be found below and here.
November 29, 2018
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
H-204 United States Capitol
Washington D.C. 20515
Dear Leader Pelosi:
As we prepare for the 116th Congress, we urge you to bring legislation that would put Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on a pathway to citizenship to the House Floor within the first hundred days. Bringing such legislation to a vote would end the uncertainty that is currently plaguing more than 3.5 million people by one count – not to mention their families and communities – with these temporary and tenuous statuses.
Currently, there are nearly 3.2 million Dreamers in the United States. Though the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided approximately 800,000 Dreamers with temporary protection since its inception in 2012, it is by no means a permanent solution and has been continuously challenged in the courts by the current Administration. Our Dreamers deserve the certainty to plan out their lives, so that they can stop living in fear and continue contributing to our nation.
In addition, there are over 300,000 individuals under TPS, many of whom are from Latin America. Many of these individuals have lived – lawfully – in the U.S. for nearly two decades, and together they have nearly 275,000 U.S. born citizen children. They have mortgages, pay taxes, and support their local communities, states, and the nation as a whole. However, these individuals are currently in limbo as the Trump Administration has triggered an end to TPS for all but a small fraction of TPS holders and is working to remove these long-term residents. While a significant number of TPS recipients have been given temporary legal reprieve by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the Administration has moved to appeal the district court’s ruling. Given these realities, we note that the short-term future of all immigrants with TPS is in jeopardy—and it is abundantly clear that the Administration will continue to proactively seek their removal from the United States regardless of their long-term residency in the United States.
Passing legislation as soon as possible in the new Congress that protects Dreamers and TPS holders is critical. Beyond these two pressing issues, our entire immigration system remains desperately in need of an overhaul. In addition to Dreamer and TPS legislation in the first hundred days, it is imperative that this body work on a comprehensive immigration reform package in the 116th Congress.
It is estimated that there are 11 million undocumented immigrants in our nation. They work in every sector of our economy. These hardworking, taxpaying undocumented workers have enriched our country, while contributing their knowledge, traditions, and intellect to the fabric of our culture. They are part of America’s economic engine.
Comprehensive immigration reform legislation should include:
a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants;
eligibility for deported veterans to return to the United States;
the reunification of separated families;
an end to immigration laws that tear families apart;
end the militarization of our borderlands and instead focus on port of entry modernization;
and a recommitment to our nation’s founding ideals as a place of refuge for those seeking protection at our borders.
Undocumented immigrants work hard, obey the laws, and pay taxes. They are our friends and neighbors. They are part of the American social fabric and deserve a pathway to the American dream.
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My drunk lazy ass sorry excuse for a stepdad voted for his Republican opponent, who supports family separation. Vern is such a hypocrite. My mom has hit rock bottom.