Leaders from Faith in Action welcome the passage of these bills by the U.S. House, urge the Senate to vote in favor and deliver for immigrants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2021
CONTACT:
Alexa Lamanna, West End Strategy Team
alamanna@westendstrategy.com; 202-320-2766
WASHINGTON – Immigration advocates and faith leaders from Faith in Action and the LA RED campaign are celebrating the passage of The Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by the U.S. House of Representatives this evening.
Introduced and co-authored by Congressman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), the Dream and Promise Act offers a pathway to citizenship for about 2.5 million DREAMers and other immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide long-term farmworkers a path to a green card, streamlines the application process for the H-2A temporary visa program for seasonal agricultural workers, and other protections.
As advocates welcome this win for immigrants and farm workers across the country, they are turning their attention to senators, who advocates are urging to follow suit by immediately passing these pieces of legislation, which will bring relief to millions of immigrants, in the following statements:
“With the passage of the Dream Promise Act and Farm Workforce Modernization Act, the House is moving us slowly closer to a nation in which everyone thrives and has a say in the decisions that shape their lives,” said the Rev. Alvin Herring, executive director of Faith in Action. “But we cannot lose sight of the fact that our work is not yet done. The Senate must act with urgency to honor the humanity and dignity of our immigrant siblings by sending these pieces of legislation to President Biden’s desk.”
“This is a hopeful day for DREAMers. For years we have fought and advocated for a pathway to citizenship, a path that would allow us to officially call this country home and not live in fear of sudden deportation. Though this is by no means the end of our advocacy for the critical protections of all immigrants, this is a step in the right direction and a step that we are celebrating,” said Nanci Palacios, LA RED Chair and deputy director, Faith in Florida (DACA recipient). “The Senate must recognize the imperative to grant DREAMers and immigrants with temporary humanitarian protection the opportunity to make the country which they love and contribute to, home.”
If you would like to speak further with representatives of Faith and Action and LA RED, please contact Alexa Lamanna at alamanna@westendstrategy.com or 202-320-2766.
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information, visit www.faithinaction.org.
Faith in Action is a 501c(3). Faith in Action and its affiliates are non-partisan and are not aligned explicitly or implicitly with any candidate or party. We do not endorse or support candidates for office.
