In solidarity,
Debra Schrishuhn for the PDA National Team

Immigrants Make America Stronger

Immigration reform keeps getting pushed to the back of the line. This time, we need to keep it front and center.

The current version of the $3.5 trillion budget plan, passed by Democrats in the Senate and being considered by the House, concentrates on human infrastructure needs and contains language to provide “lawful permanent status for qualified immigrants.” It does not specify particular immigrant groups, but the summary states it will provide green cards “to millions of immigrant workers and families.”

Arcane Senate rules require reconciliation bills (those bills that may pass with a simple majority not subject to the filibuster) to affect the budget. Immigration has a huge effect directly on the Treasury via payroll taxes, Social Security taxes, and income taxes.

As a precursor to actual comprehensive immigration reform, this human infrastructure bill can provide a path to citizenship for some 10 million immigrants currently living and working in the U.S. Congress must support provisions that would, at a minimum, legalize with a path to citizenship DREAMers (recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program), Temporary Protected Status holders, Deferred Enforced Departure holders, undocumented agricultural workers, and other undocumented essential workers.

PDA is working with allies to ensure these measures remain in the human infrastructure billas it moves toward passage. Here’s how you can help today:

• Call or write to your Senators and Representative, and demand that these immigration elements remain in the human infrastructure bill, and let us know you acted;
• Volunteer to help PDA keep pressure on elected officials charged with crafting the final language of the bill;
• Support PDA’s efforts on immigration with a generous donation.

We are working 24/7 to ensure that these and other progressive provisions remain in the human infrastructure legislation, but we need your support to succeed. Please volunteer and donate today.

Thanks so much for anything you can do right now.