New York, NY- Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed legislative language that includes a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants as a part of the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package. The legislation earmarks $107 billion to provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, farm workers, and immigrant essential workers, including potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrant New Yorkers. Now, the Senate and the House must vote on the full spending plan. Legalizing millions of immigrants will result in an additional $149 billion in GDP and $39 billion in federal, state, and local taxes, according to a recently released FWD.us report.
Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats have listened to the will of the majority of American voters and moved forward important legislation to ensure millions of immigrants who call America home can gain legal status. But we can’t afford to celebrate just yet. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer must seize on the best chance for immigration justice in more than thirty years and pass an uncompromised budget reconciliation package. Thirty years of fierce advocacy brought us to this moment. As we edge closer to victory, the New York Immigration Coalition has no intention of allowing our leaders to forget the blood, tears, and sweat that made this moment possible.”
Background:
Throughout the month of September, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has joined its national partners in a series of actions demanding that Congressional Democrats hold firm on their promise to deliver a pathway to citizenship. Over the summer, 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, 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. NYIC’s work is part of a multi-organizational and national effort spearheaded by FIRM to transform America’s immigration system. A recent Data for Progress poll revealed a clear majority of Americans, 67%, support legalization for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers. A FWD.us report outlined that legalization would provide $149 billion in GDP and $39 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.
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