Contact: media@ilrc.org
(Washington)—Because of the leadership of immigrants, including undocumented youth, TPS holders, farm workers and essential workers, who bravely demanded relief from our policy makers for immigrant communities, Congress is now considering legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship to certain undocumented immigrants. This legislation will be debated in the House Judiciary Committee this week. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is heartened that Congress is seriously considering a permanent solution for undocumented communities.
“The ILRC firmly believes that a legislative solution on immigration must not rely on criminalization paradigms that limit eligibility for relief to some immigrants who have come in contact with the criminal legal system,” said Sameera Hafiz, policy director at the ILRC. “Congress has an opportunity right now to reject the idea that individuals should continue to be punished by the immigration system for coming in to contact with the criminal legal system, a system entrenched in racist practices and outcomes.”
“As this legislation continues to wind its way through the congressional process, we urge Congress members to reject further anti-immigrant proposals fueled by hate. Members of Congress should look to The New Way Forward Act which addresses systemic injustice in the immigration system and the criminalization of Black and Brown immigrants as a guide on how to promote racial equity and fairness in our immigration system,” said Hafiz.
“The nation observed the 20th anniversary of 9/11 a few days ago, and we cannot forget that the Department of Homeland Security was created in its aftermath and given broad powers to target Black and Brown communities,” Hafiz added. “The Biden administration must also take this opportunity to end immigration enforcement, surveillance and detention – tactics used to target these same communities.”
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities.