FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Media Contacts
Janelle Erickson | jerickson@hilltoppublicsolutions.com
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, House Democrats introduced the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, two bills which passed the House in 2019 with bipartisan support. If enacted into law, the Dream and Promise Act would provide a pathway to citizenship to over three million undocumented immigrant youth and TPS holders. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would give more than one million undocumented farm workers and their immediate families protection from deportation and a pathway to citizenship.
Here is the recording of a We Are Home press call where advocates and directly impacted people spoke on the bills introductions.
Greisa Martinez Rosas Co-Chair of The We Are Home Campaign said:
“The We Are Home campaign remains dedicated to fighting for permanent protections for all 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. and recognizes the Dream & Promise Act as a hopeful first step in that direction. There are many welcomed improvements in this bill that would address the needs of millions of immigrant youth and TPS holders. However, we cannot ignore that this bill continues to reflect unchanged barriers that leave out numerous immigrants racially profiled and targeted by the criminal legal system. We must strive for improvements and inclusive immigration legislation that does not leave our people behind.
Congress must pursue every available avenue to deliver a pathway to citizenship for as many undocumented immigrants as possible right now, which includes prioritizing the Dream & Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act for immediate passage. The two bipartisan bills are steps towards our ultimate goal of creating a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants; a goal which the majority of the American people support.
As the U.S. surpasses a tragic milestone with over 500,000 lives lost from COVID-19, immigrant communities remain among the most vulnerable, with millions still excluded from any form of federal protection and relief. Over 130,000 TPS holders, 200,000 DACA recipients and hundreds of thousands more undocumented immigrants continue to risk their lives as frontline workers. There is absolutely no time to waste in delivering permanent protections to immigrant communities.
With millions of people across the country who worked together to deliver Biden’s victory and win Democratic control of the Senate, it’s time for Democrats to use every tool at their disposal to deliver for immigrant communities. We urge the House to immediately move forward to pass the Dream & Promise Act, along with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, before their spring recess, followed by the Senate’s swift action to pass these bills.”
Teresa Romero, Co-Chair of The We Are Home Campaign said:
“The We Are Home campaign also recognizes the Farm Workforce Modernization Act as a significant step in the right direction. Farm workers have always been essential, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The workers feeding this country are a skilled and crucial labor force putting their lives at risk in the face of dangerous working conditions, toxic pesticides and the threat of COVID-19. They have proven their essential worth and have earned the right to apply for legal status. This bipartisan legislation addresses the biggest cause of undocumented farm workers’ vulnerability to abuse and exploitation: their lack of legal status. Congress must provide relief to the undocumented farm workers who have kept our domestic food supply intact.
For years, farm workers and undocumented youth have fought for a path to legalization that recognizes their integral role in our communities. We expect Congress to act with determination and vote on the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before recess.”
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We Are Home is a nationwide campaign fighting to ensure that “we the people” includes all of us. Our mission is to transform America’s inhumane immigration system. We must undo the damage of the last four years and build a new immigration system that is fair, humane, functional, and centered in racial justice, and respects all people, regardless of race, religion, or birthplace. And we must immediately enact legislation that creates a roadmap to citizenship for every immigrant who calls this country home.. We Are Home is co-chaired by Community Change/Community Change Action; National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)/Care in Action; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); United Farm Workers (UFW), and United We Dream.