November 22, 2021

Reps. Correa, Ocasio-Cortez, García, Espaillat, Meng, and House Colleagues call on Senate leaders to reinstate pathway to citizenship in Build Back Better Act

Washington, D.C. — Today Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Grace Meng (NY-06) led a letter alongside 86 of their House colleagues calling for Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, Pro Tem Patrick Leahy, and Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin to include a pathway to citizenship in the Senate version of the Build Back Better Act following its passage:

Congressman Correa said: “I am proud to lead with my colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to include a pathway to citizenship in the Build Back Better Act. While the immigration provisions in the bill the House passed go a long way to reducing the most severe harms that millions of undocumented immigrants face, we are not abandoning this fight. More than that, we are vigorously making the argument to our colleagues that we can’t truly ‘Build Back Better’ if the people who will do so much of the building are left out of the blueprint.

Undocumented immigrants have been the backbone of our country—from growing our crops, processing our food, taking care of our children, and looking after our elderly. Yet, they have seen their dreams of becoming citizens shattered again. Through our continued advocacy efforts, we are saying the time is now. The Senate must include a pathway to citizenship in the Build Back Better Act. Eight years ago, 68 Senators—including 14 Senate Republicans—voted for a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country. We don’t have another eight years, five years, two years, or even two months to wait. We are urging our colleagues to understand the positive impact a pathway to citizenship will have on the American economy, working families, and future generations of Americans. While the Build Back Better Act is a monumental achievement, as Cesar Chavez said, 'We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about the progress and prosperity for our community.’”

 

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