Ahead of Labor Day, Immigrant Essential Workers Call on Congress for Pathway to Citizenship

As Congress Considers Historic Overhaul of Our Immigration System through Reconciliation Process, Immigrant Essential Workers Call for Inclusion in Pathway to Citizenship

New Jersey – On Thursday, in advance of Labor Day, immigrant essential workers from warehouses, food service and care economy hosted a virtual press conference to urge Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship through reconciliation that includes the more than 5 million undocumented immigrant essential workers – 209,000 of whom live in New Jersey. This week, Congress takes up drafting legislation related to budget reconciliation. In the budget resolution passed in August, Congress approved $109 Billion for a pathway to citizenship.

Watch the video of the Essential Immigrant Worker Press Conference here: https://fb.watch/7Pdc_yDBaV/

“If you ordered a package during the pandemic and had it delivered to your door step so you could shelter in place, chances are you were relying on undocumented immigrants’ labor. But we still worry about being deported every day, despite risking our lives to keep our state safe. It’s time for a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers. New Jersey is my home. I don’t want to fear being separated from my wife and three daughters any more,” said Walter Fernandez, a truck dispatcher from Elizabeth, NJ and member of Make the Road New Jersey.

“I worked as a cleaner during the pandemic, risking my health and the health of my kids. I’ve lived and paid taxes in this country for fourteen years. I call on Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship now. We must fix our broken immigration system so that we can stay united with our families,” said Banessa Quiroga.

“The inclusion of a pathway to citizenship for immigrant workers and their families is due to the relentless organizing of the pro-immigrant movement over the years. Our movement is proudly standing shoulder to shoulder with the multi-racial, multi-generational majority of Americans who voted for change and to turn the page on the previous administration. Now is the time. This is the year,” said Yambeli Gomez, lead organizer for workplace Justice at Make the Road New Jersey.

New polling from Data for Progress finds that the citizenship proposals to be included by Senate Democrats in their human infrastructure package are overwhelmingly popular with Democrats, Independents and Republicans. By 70 – 24%, Americans support a Path to Citizenship for Dreamers, TPS Holders, Farm Workers and Essential Workers.

Citizenship for America’s workforce is an investment in the American economy. Essential workers are a key component of our labor force, our economy and are indispensable to our communities throughout the country

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