Long Island, NY-Today, the New York Immigration Coalition, local immigrant rights groups, allies and Long Islanders marched from the North Fork Spanish Apostolate to Peconic Riverfront Park. The marchers held a rally at the park calling on Senate Majority Leader Schumer to deliver on a pathway to citizenship. The march and rally come after this week’s teach-in outside of the Senator’s Brooklyn home. Last week, advocates and immigrant New Yorkers organized a #NoSleepTilCitizenship sleepout across the street from Senator Schumer’s Park Slope apartment. Senator Schumer holds the power to lead Democrats to deliver on their promise to create a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.
“Every single New Yorker deserves to keep their family safe and together, no matter if they are Black or white, Latinx or Asian or Native American or newcomer. Today, immigrant New Yorkers are demanding that our elected officials deliver on the best chance for a pathway to citizenship in decades to ensure the stability of their families, communities and our economy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congressional Democrats must remember that they are accountable to the people, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.,” said Patrick Young, Downstate Advocacy Director, New York Immigration Coalition. “We won’t stop reminding our elected leaders of this simple fact until they follow through on their campaign trail promises and deliver legalization to millions of our community members.”
"Millions of immigrants across the United States contribute every day to our nation's economy and society, but their immigration status keeps them marginalized,” said Elise De Castillo, Executive Director, CARECEN. “Congress must provide the protections to these new Americans by creating a pathway to citizenship that shows them that their home is here."
"It is past time for Senate Democrats to create a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants who have made their homes in America, who give back to our communities every day,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, Long Island Social Justice Action Network. “We owe them and their families the opportunity to come out of the shadows and to live without fear."
"A pathway to citizenship would be life-changing for many immigrant families, essential workers, Dreamers and immigrant New Yorkers,” said Martha Maffei, Executive Director, SEPA Mujer. “That is why we are calling on the Congress and the federal government to take a stand and do something meaningful for our immigrant communities that have invested in this country. Because after all, where would this country be without immigrants."
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