SEIU’s Sáenz: Congress Must Provide Relief for Dreamers, Protect Obligations to Asylum Seekers

WASHINGTON — Responding to a news report of a draft immigration reform deal being considered by leaders on Capitol Hill, SEIU International Executive Vice President Rocio Sáenz issued the following statement:

“The Washington Post’s report of a bipartisan immigration deal being considered by a group of Senators offers hope for immigrants who came to this country as children, also known as dreamers. Congress must act this year to provide permanent relief for these young people, who are critical to our economy and our communities.

“We don’t have full details on what is being considered and details matter – lives are at stake. As we have long made clear, working people strongly support the internationally recognized right of men, women and children fleeing persecution to apply for asylum. We unequivocally oppose mandatory detention, which is a cruel and ultimately ineffective way to secure our borders.”

“Americans on both sides of the aisle overwhelmingly support humane immigration policy, including a pathway to citizenship for dreamers and other undocumented people. We urge Congress to act now.

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The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) unites 2 million diverse members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. SEIU members working in the healthcare industry, in the public sector and in property services believe in the power of joining together on the job to win higher wages and benefits and to create better communities while fighting for a more just society and an economy that works for all of us, not just corporations and the wealthy.www.seiu.org