UnidosUS President and CEO: President Biden’s bold immigration plan — based on common sense, not hate — would give millions a real, fair path to citizenship

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WASHINGTON, DC— In response to President Joe Biden’s unveiling of a Day One immigration bill that provides an earned eight-year path to citizenship for some 11 million immigrants in the U.S., protect DREAMers and other vulnerable populations, and advances other important family unity policies, Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, issued the following statement:

“The Biden administration’s Day One immigration bill today sets forth a bold and fresh vision for immigration policy, which is exactly what the nation needs after four years of cruel and bigoted anti-immigrant actions. In addition to providing long-overdue and immediate relief and certainty to DACA recipients, these innovative and common-sense plans lay the groundwork to build a more fair, inclusive, and effective immigration system that will make us a stronger country with a brighter future.

“Today’s announcements on legislative and executive actions recognize the long overdue need to:

  • Provide an earned path to citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented individuals who have long contributed to our communities and the nation as a whole, including many essential workers during the COVID-19 health crisis.
  • Immediately protect DREAMers, TPS holders, and other vulnerable populations by restoring administrative protections attacked by the Trump Administration and creating a dedicated legislative pathway to citizenship for DACA and TPS recipients.
  • Re-examine the effectiveness and humanity of our immigration system’s enforcement methods through a 100-day deportation moratorium. Too often immigration policy has been used to rip families apart and jeopardize the futures of nearly 6 million American children living in mixed-status homes.

Promote family unity by streamlining paths toward legalization for those who are already eligible.
“The tone and tenor for the next four years has been set. We applaud this new, bold, and innovative vision for immigration policy. Let’s be clear: our task is just beginning so we look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration in these next 100 days, and beyond, to turn this bill into law for our communities and the nation.”