Even in today’s digital world, phone calls remain one of the most effective ways to voice your opinions to Congress. Reps are particularly interested in hearing from constituents within their district who care deeply about issues.
He predicts that an agreement on immigration reform can soon be reached among both political parties.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Communities across 24 states – including New York City – are turning to immigrant workers to fill labor shortages, prompting Mayor Brainard and Councilmember Schember to join Cities for Action in writing the Biden Administration asking that it use its administrative authority to extend and redesign Temporary Protected Status for Nicaragua nationals as well as increase humanitarian parole.
Since 1968, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has identified, promoted and advocated for Latino professional, social, political and economic interests within Congress. Their legislative agenda is developed via twelve Task Forces chaired by Members of Congress with representation from Latino organizations, corporate executives, civic leaders, nonprofit advocates and thought experts as members.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also sponsors the CHCI Graduate Fellowship, providing leadership training, public service experience and policy knowledge for outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals.
DREAM Act
On the ninth anniversary of DACA, Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee respectively, introduced legislation that would enable noncitizens brought to America as children who have met certain educational or work requirements to earn lawful permanent residency status legally. Furthermore, this bill offers individuals Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure protection a pathway toward citizenship.
The DREAM Act enjoys strong support from business groups and is widely supported by voters – with large majorities of Democrats (93%), Independents (74%), and Republicans who lean Republican (51%). It targets only children brought here illegally as children who now live here as their only home.
Durbin highlighted two Dreamers – twin sisters Karen and Judith who came to this country as two year-olds from Mexico, attending Texas A&M University, becoming National Qualifier Junior ROTC Academic Bowl competitors, AP Scholars with Distinction and National Hispanic Honor Society members respectively.
COVID Relief
Many unauthorized immigrants have worked tirelessly during this pandemic to keep America running smoothly – from delivering food deliveries and cleaning public spaces, to fearlessly protecting America’s borders against deportation, without access to unemployment insurance or health coverage in case their income decreases or they experience long-term effects due to infection. Unfortunately, these workers do not enjoy access to unemployment compensation and/or health coverage that might help cover any losses related to illness caused by this virus.
Immigrants have strong ties to their local communities and have established lasting relationships with local organizations that provide emergency support and services. Some states and cities, such as California and New York City, have created specific funds that offer financial aid for immigrant families affected by pandemic.
Others, like New York City, have implemented eviction moratoria and utility shutoff protection to assist struggling households remain in their homes regardless of immigration status. We should expand these initiatives nationwide so more working families can keep their jobs, pay rent/mortgages/feed their families.
Undocumented Immigrants
Undocumented immigrants include individuals who enter the country without first going through immigration inspection at a port of entry or who received nonimmigrant visas but failed to extend them before their expiration dates. Furthermore, this category includes people whose deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) was recently ended by President Donald Trump, as well as those granted Temporary Protected Status due to conflict or disaster in their home countries.
Food stamps, nonemergency Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs are unavailable to them; additionally they cannot register to become citizens and vote or register to become voters.
No matter how political leaders may try to portray it, there is no evidence that public benefits attract illegal migrants into the US or increase their usage of services and benefits; their use remains small despite all the rhetoric against immigrants that has increased enforcement and harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric; this leaves those living here without documentation vulnerable to labor exploitation and separation from family members.
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