California Latino Caucus Leadership Responds to Biden Immigration Proposal
SACRAMENTO - In response to last week's unveiling of the Biden Administration’s immigration proposal, which includes a pathway to citizenship for nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, and Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus, issued the following statements:
"Congress must prioritize the repair of our nation's broken immigration system this year,” said Senator Durazo. “The current system is not only ineffective but wholly unjust. Insufficient family-based visas and application backlogs force family members to choose between being separated for extended periods of time or risk their lives to be reunited. Undocumented youth face deportation to countries they may have never known, and are prevented from realizing their dreams of contributing to American society."
"This is not only the right thing to do - it’s the smart thing to do,” Durazo continued. “In 2013, the last time an immigration reform bill was introduced, debated, and voted on in Congress, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the Senate bill would cut the deficit by more than $680 billion, and a study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy showed that reform would boost state and local tax revenues by $2 billion a year. These are resources we could invest right back into our country’s public health programs, education systems, and infrastructure."
“Reforming an immigration system that reflects our values of justice, due process, and fairness is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans. Immigrant families cannot wait any longer for this,” Durazo concluded.
"Now is the time for immediate and swift action to create a pathway to citizenship for our 11 million undocumented residents through the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021," said Assemblymember Rivas. "It has been long enough. On top of contributing immense economic and cultural value to our state and country, undocumented immigrants are part of our schools, communities, neighborhoods, and help shape the American experience. Congress has the opportunity to pass humane and just immigration reform to finally end the state of fear of deportation and separation that our undocumented community has been subject to for years."
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CONTACT
Senator Durazo
Michael Tonetti - michael.tonetti@sen.ca.gov - (213) 280-6917
Assemblymember Rivas
Elizabeth Stitt - elizabeth.stitt@asm.ca.gov - (916) 802-1276