Immigrants Rally to Demand Congress Legalize Essential Immigrant Workers through Reconciliation and to Ensure All 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants Can Earn a Pathway to Citizenship

(Jersey City – April 20, 2021) – Immigrant community members, immigrant rights organizations, and allies hosted a press conference and rally in Jersey City to take action to demand citizenship for undocumented essential workers and the 11 million undocumented immigrants who call this country home. Immigrant families and workers from Make the Road New Jersey, Wind of the Spirit, ACLU of New Jersey, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, 32BJ SEIU, CATA the Farmworkers Committee, American Friends Service Committee, and Faith in New Jersey, and allies participated in The March to Victory: Relay Across America as a part of a nationwide effort to demand a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, and essential workers.

As we near the first “100 Days” of the Biden Administration, we have yet to see legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship reach Biden’s desk. In order for our nation to battle the ongoing pandemic, we need economic relief for immigrants left behind from aid and a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people.

Felix Gallardo, member of Make the Road New Jersey, said “When people say immigrants put food on your table, they truly mean it. I spend over 8 hours a day in a freezer packaging the vegetables that people buy at the grocery store. Because of my status, I go to work every day with the fear that I will not return to my children again. We are calling on Senator Menendez and Senator Booker and our NJ delegation to provide citizenship for essential workers through reconciliation and to create a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants who call this country home.”

Sarah Fajardo, Policy Director of ACLU-New Jersey, said “For far too long, harmful federal immigration policies have caused our friends and neighbors to live in fear of detention and family separation, threats that have only been magnified over the last four years. We call on Congress to seize this moment and heed the call of communities demanding change by swiftly passing legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for the eleven million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many of whom call New Jersey home.”

Kevin Brown, Director and Vice President of 32BJ New Jersey, said “Immigrants have always been important to New Jersey’s growth, and they are crucial to the state’s recovery. The 11 million undocumented immigrants, TPS recipients, and Dreamers, who are overrepresented among our essential workers, have waited too long to be recognized as an integral part of our nation and our future. It’s past time for the federal government to create a swift path to citizenship for all.”

Itzel Hernandez, Immigrant Rights Organizer of AFSC and a DACA recipient, said “The time to demand citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country is now. Our communities have waited for years to be given their full rights and a pathway to citizenship. As a member of a mixed-status family, we cannot continue to live in daily fear of detention or deportation of our loved ones or community members.”

Nery Torres, member of Wind of the Spirit, said “At Wind of The Spirit, we believe that no human being is illegal. Thirty years of waiting for an Immigration Reform is enough waiting. The time is now”

Luisa Reyes, leader of Faith in New Jersey, said “We need a pathway to citizenship for all families to feel free, safe, and liberated. Where kids can grow up with their parents and parents and youth alike feel equipped and empowered to act on their goals.”

The Relay Across America will consist of community-led efforts, made up of in-person and virtual events, and will begin in Washington on March 17th, with subsequent events planned in nearly 30 states through May 1. The relay aims to unite communities throughout the nation in calling for a humane immigration system that protects the 11 million undocumented immigrants, including essential workers, DACA and TPS holders, and those who don’t currently have a pathway to citizenship.

FIRM Action and the members of the We Are Home campaign demand swift follow through and decisive action. More on the Relay Across America here: firmaction.org/march-to-victory

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Make the Road NJ
http://www.maketheroadnj.org/