Faith in New Jersey Demands Congress Disregard the Parliamentarian’s Recommendation on Immigration Provisions in BBB

NEW JERSEY – The Senate Parliamentarian recently recommended against the third immigration provision plan, which would have provided temporary work permits to millions. This recommendation has added insult to injury after this unelected official has already rejected the first two plans that sought to provide our main goal, a permanent pathway to citizenship.

Every family no matter where they were born, what they look like, or where they reside has their inherent worth and dignity honored when they are given the opportunity to pursue their dreams. The Senate Parliamentarian, who is unaccountable to the people across the United States of America, is choosing to misinterpret the responsibilities of our governing body. They are blocking progress instead of focusing on solutions to the problems we face that dehumanize all of us. Together, as people of faith across the state, we call upon the Senate to ignore the parliamentarian and repeat our continued demand to deliver the most inclusive pathway to citizenship that ensures Black immigrants are not discarded.

In a statement Senate Democrats said, they “… will pursue every means to achieve a path to citizenship in the Build Back Better Act.” This makes us hopeful that the Senate Democrats will not concede.

“It is time for every Senator that has ever stated they support immigration reform to be bold and call for disregarding the parliamentarian to deliver the promise of opportunity for immigrants in the Build Back Better Act. We will not accept false promises and passing the blame to a select few politicians. Senators, you have the final say and it is your moral obligation,”  said Charlene Walker Executive Director of Faith in New Jersey.

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Faith in New Jersey is a multi-faith and multi-racial network of faith leaders and faith communities working together to protect religious liberties and advance an immigration, racial, economic and human justice agenda at the local, state and federal level. Faith in New Jersey’s mission is to develop grassroots community leaders, analyze the policies that shape our communities, and mobilize faith voices and faith voters to effectively act on the prophetic call to build the Beloved Community.