Tallahassee – Essential workers, many of whom are our immigrant family members and neighbors, are among the millions of Americans that have come together to help get us through the pandemic. And yet, many immigrants working in essential roles have been unjustly excluded from full citizenship in the United States.
“Our undocumented communities cannot afford to wait any longer or be offered temporary reliefs,” stated Mariana Martinez, Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee – Florida. “The administration needs to deliver on their promises and pass citizenship for all. Programs like DACA and TPS have given people the opportunities and access to higher education, drivers licenses, healthcare, and simple basics everyone deserves the right to have; it is only right and just to pass a pathway for permanent protections for all immigrants.”
Both Congress and the American people want solutions. Congress has made many legislative attempts at creating a path to citizenship. In March, bills that allow farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to apply for permanent legal status cleared the House on a bipartisan basis. Polling from NPR/Ipsos, Global Strategy Group, ALG Research, Public Opinion Strategies (GOP) poll, and Data For Progress all show that a range of 66% to 75% of those polled desire a path to citizenship. In spite of this overwhelming support, a permanent solution has yet to be signed into law.
Residents of Florida, including people of faith, want Congress to pass a path to citizenship. Over 900 individuals and 195 faith-based organizations sent a letter to Congress calling for a path to citizenship by any means necessary, including 14 faith leaders and two faith-based organizations in Florida: Creekside Community Church (Ft. White) and Spring Hill United Church of Christ. Additionally, recent May Day caravans and rallies took place across the state in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa urging Congress to pass a path to citizenship.
Local leaders and policymakers have also expressed their support to Congress for a path to citizenship. Ten Florida mayors signed a letter in support of citizenship for DACA recipients and “Dreamers,” and 250 Venezuelan leaders and organizations signed a letter in support of citizenship for TPS holders. Over 1,000 Central Florida business leaders urged Senators Rubio and Scott to pass a path to citizenship in a virtual bipartisan panel. There are nearly 400,000 immigrant essential workers in Florida in need of a path to citizenship.
“Congress and the Biden administration must seize this opportunity and finally move things forward on immigration,” said Elissa Diaz, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Church World Service and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC). “A path to citizenship has broad support across the country, including among people of faith. It would transform the lives of so many children and families, including those who are members of our congregations, places of worship, and communities. Our leadership in Washington must do everything possible, and use every legislative means at their disposal, to pass it this year.”
As people of faith, we believe in the inherent dignity of every human being, worthy of justice and inclusion. We believe that our federal government must legislate in ways that promote full human flourishing, as creating a path to citizenship would do. The next step is for the Senate to take bold action. The people of Florida are calling on Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to ensure that a path to citizenship for our immigrant family members, neighbors, and friends becomes law this year.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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