Issued August 25, 2021
WASHINGTON—SEIU International Executive Vice President Rocio Sáenz issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives voting to advance the Senate’s budget resolution which includes a path to citizenship for Dreamers, people with TPS, farmworkers, and other essential workers:
“We commend House Democrats for approving the $3.5 trillion reconciliation framework, which includes a path toward citizenship for millions of families and essential workers as well as an investment in good, union, living-wage home care jobs - a workforce that is primarily led by Black, Brown and immigrant women.
“Millions of people who call this country home have been living in limbo for decades, waiting for Congress to finally deliver fair and humane immigration reform that echoes our American values.
“Passage of the budget resolution means we’re one step closer to bringing peace of mind to the young people under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and other immigrant groups who continue to show up for us during the pandemic. They are the care workers who have kept our loved ones safe during a deadly pandemic, students who attend our public schools, farmworkers who keep our families fed, teachers, first responders and so many more who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Creating a path to citizenship for these individuals will also unleash them, allowing them to fully contribute to our communities and economy. Their full participation will only uplift and strengthen our country. In fact, creating a pathway to citizenship would raise the annual wages of the average American worker by $600. We must continue this momentum and pass a final reconciliation bill that will allow us to finally deliver for the communities that keep this country running.
“We also applaud the House for passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would prevent discriminatory voting policies from silencing communities of color including immigrant voters. Combined, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the reconciliation framework will truly help us build back better and deliver for the American people who voted for this kind of progressive and transformational change in November.”