Immigrants Rally to Urge Immediate Action on President Biden and Senator Menendez’s Pathway to Citizenship for All 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants

The group urged members of Congress from the New Jersey delegation to support the legislation and also called on the Biden administration to investigate DHS atrocities and end detention of immigrants

(Newark, NJ, January 21, 2021) – Immigrant community members, immigrant rights organizations: Make the Road New Jersey, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, 32BJ SEIU, New Labor, and Wind of the Spirit, and allies hosted a press conference and rally in response to the Biden administration’s day one bill, executive orders on immigration, and Senator Menendez’s leadership in making the day one bill a reality in front of the Federal Building in Newark. While the proposed immigration plan is a welcomed departure from the racism and xenophobia of the Trump era, the group calls on the Biden administration to cease cruel and inhuman immigration enforcement practices and to investigate DHS practices.

On January 20, 2021, President Biden announced legislation to be sponsored by Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey to create pathways to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who live, work, and contribute to the United States. President Biden also issued a series if executive orders to restore DACA, end the Muslim ban, and put a moratorium on deportations for the first 100 days of administration. The groups called on the administration to take immediate steps to undo the cruelty of the Trump Administration by investigating DHS, ending deportations and detention, and cruel enforcement measures that led to the death of kids in detention, the separation of millions of families. They urged Congress to use the reconciliation process to create an immediate pathway to citizenship for essential workers. In addition, they urge the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support the efforts.

Beatriz, member of Make the Road New Jersey said, “Today we celebrate the resilience of the immigrant community. We thank President Biden for keeping his promise and introducing his Day One bill and are grateful for Senator Menendez’s leadership at this crucial moment. Too many immigrant families have been separated and too many have lost our lives and dignity in detention. The Biden administration must act to curb these cruel practices immediately.”

Amy Torres, Executive Director at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice said, “Embracing 11 million new citizens through the U.S. Citizenship Act is a bold affirmation of the broad coalition that has been organizing around the clock against hate, nationalism, and white supremacy. But the Trump-era attacks against immigrant communities and communities of Color were all-encompassing and will require systemic solutions to undo. The Biden-Harris Administration must continue yesterday’s Executive Order waterfall and stop ICE enforcement, arrests, and detention. We are proud that New Jersey’s Senator Menendez is leading the conversation on this fight but urge the state delegation to continue full speed ahead by investigating DHS abuses, reuniting separated families, issuing retroactive relief checks, and uprooting the punitive carceral and crimmigration policies that deny our communities justice, belonging, and our right to migration.”

Kevin Brown, Vice-President, and Director of 32BJ New Jersey said, “The executive orders signed by the new administration are the perfect beginning for a new, more welcoming era for immigrants. President Biden made it clear that he will seek a permanent solution to the status of millions of DACA and TPS recipients, as well as for 11 million undocumented immigrants. Ending the Muslim ban, including everyone in the Census count, the 100 day moratorium on certain deportations, and stopping the senseless targeting of undocumented immigrants and their families are some important steps to build a better America for all.”

Gloria E. Blanco, Advocacy Director for Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center said, “We’ve just been through four years of stress, uncertainty, and constant anxiety for the immigrant community, our families, and neighbors. It won’t all be reversed in a day, but we don’t have a day to spare. President Biden has promised to listen to the immigrant community and provide a path to citizenship, and we need our Congressional representatives to help him deliver on it. The American people chose a clear path away from the bigotry and division of the last four years, and we want to walk that path — to full citizenship, to fulfilling this country’s promise — with our fellow Americans. For this, we need Congress to speak in a clear voice that shows they have heard ours.”

Charlene D. Walker, Executive Director of Faith in New Jersey said, “In order for this country to unite and move forward, we must address the deep divide sowed in this country through xenophobia, systemic racism, and the denial of the inherent worth and dignity of all God’s beloved by having the audacity to change. This begins by not just presenting bold legislation that aims to end the harm to Black, Brown, and immigrant families but with a commitment from members of Congress to ensure it is enacted. Faith in New Jersey calls upon all legislatures to be champions for the US Citizenship Act, to immediately provide a path to citizenship for essential workers, and to continue undoing the cruelty of US immigration practices to build a system that treats everyone fairly with dignity.”

Sarah Fajardo, Policy Director, ACLU-NJ said, “After years of xenophobic and racist immigration policies, the ACLU-NJ applauds President Biden and Senator Menendez for their commitment to building a fairer and more just immigration system. The introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act, along with executive orders to rescind the Muslim ban, protect DACA, and ensure a fair and complete Census count, a 100-day pause on many deportations, and suspension of a Trump Administration program that forces asylum-seekers to remain in dangerous conditions in Mexico, are necessary first steps toward realizing this commitment.

We call upon New Jersey’s congressional delegation to stand together in support of the U.S. Citizenship Act. We also urge President Biden and Congress to build upon yesterday’s actions and fulfill their promise to immigrant communities by immediately ending immigration detention, halting ICE arrests, restoring asylum at the border, and protecting refugee families stranded in Mexico, including those with loved ones here in New Jersey. After years of policies that have torn apart families and targeted Black and brown immigrant communities, we join our partners in demanding change.”

Make the Road New Jersey
http://www.maketheroadnj.org/