As it relates to relief for millions, anything less than green cards is a failure on the Democratic leadership’s behalf. Immigrant communities have fought for decades for citizenship, but they’ve also been met with bare minimum policies. The moment for truly bringing a victory to immigration is now and it’s through a pathway to citizenship through green cards.
In truth, what immigrant communities are asking from this administration is not “pie in the sky,” but the bare minimum.
After all, the Senate Democrats have the majority and Democrats have been saying time and again that citizenship is the north star, then they must deliver on those promises.
At this moment, it is all about a question of courage for Democrats. The courage to fight alongside immigration advocates who are fighting tirelessly to include and keep immigration in the reconciliation process. The courage to keep their end of the deal and stand on the right side of history. The courage to fight tooth and nail to ensure the immigration language is in the final section of the House bill to prevent future issues with amendments— every and any anti-immigrant amendment that will harm our communities or leave them behind.
Democrats must know that handing protections in anything less than green cards and permanent protection is dooming immigrant communities who have been keeping the country afloat during a deadly global pandemic and fighting through four years of constant attacks from the Trump administration, to temporary status, expensive work permits, and dubious protection from targeting by ICE for deportation.
An overwhelming majority of Americans support providing a pathway to citizenship to undocumented immigrants over deporting them (79% to 21%). Including a pathway to citizenship in the reconciliation process is not only an urgent immigrant justice issue but an urgent racial justice imperative. Sen. Schumer and Vice President Harris need to go beyond the parliamentarian’s non-binding advice to heed the advice of the American people to deliver justice for immigrant communities.
The time has come to show America’s true appreciation for the millions of undocumented immigrants who have risked their lives and fought at the frontlines of the pandemic.
Beyond the standing ovations and slogans of gratitude, prioritizing the inclusion of pathways to citizenship is the least Congress must do. Because immigration is a Black issue, it must be understood that including a pathway to citizenship in the reconciliation process is an urgent racial justice imperative.
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