New York, NY- Early Monday morning, Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, unveiled the text of their $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation infrastructure package. The bill earmarks $107 billion to provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status recipients, and immigrant essential workers, including hundreds of thousands of immigrant New Yorkers. Via budget reconciliation, Democrats can push through their spending plan with a 51 vote majority.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Three decades of broken promises and partisan gridlock has hurt immigrant families and now threatens our economic recovery from this pandemic. But today, Congressional Democrats took the first step by listening to the American public and including a pathway to citizenship for our immigrant essential workers in the budget resolution package released today. We thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and President Biden for fulfilling their commitment to deliver a pathway to citizenship for the millions of hard-working families who are keeping America open for business during this pandemic and call on Congress to reject all anti-immigrant amendments during vote-a-rama. It’s long past time for America to ensure that families have the stability they need to continue to contribute to their communities and thrive.”
Background:
In July, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) members led one thousand immigrant essential workers, elected officials, and immigrant rights advocates to demand the inclusion of a pathway to citizenship in the Democrats’ budget reconciliation infrastructure bill. A few weeks before the inauguration of President Biden, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) launched an aggressive campaign targeted at key members of New York’s Democratic congressional delegation, demanding an unequivocal commitment to achieving a pathway to citizenship.
The NYIC’s work is part of a multi-organizational and national effort spearheaded by FIRM to transform America’s immigration system. A July FWD.us report revealed a clear majority of Americans support legalization for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers. The report also outlined that legalization would provide $149 billion in GDP and $39 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.
###