New York, NY-New York immigrant rights advocates, led by the New York Immigration Coalition, praised President Joseph R. Biden’s renewed commitment to a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders, and essential workers. The NYIC also double-downed on their call for a transformation of the country’s immigration system, a promise of the Biden campaign. The NYIC acknowledged many of the White House’s steps forward—including the rescission of the Muslim Ban—but noted that several key promises remain unfulfilled, such as raising the refugee cap and providing real relief for immigrant families.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition, said:
“President Biden’s renewed commitment to a pathway for citizenship for millions of essential workers, Dreamers, and TPS recipients, represents an acknowledgment of the key role these immigrant Americans have played in the country’s battle with the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of our economy. Even as we celebrate the President’s support, the blunt reality is that the immigrants holding our country together are as vulnerable to separation from their families as they were 100 days ago. This administration rode unprecedented support from our communities to the White House on a promise to transform our immigration system. We are not satisfied with simply the introduction of legislation or in misguided appeals to bipartisanship. We have seen too many promising efforts to fix an unjust system flounder in Congress. We demand the entire Democratic Party leadership, from President Biden to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, use any means necessary to provide a pathway to citizenship for 11 million people working and contributing to this country.”
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