Park (New York Daily News): All I Want for Christmas is Citizenship

12/18/2021

“I believe the pathway to citizenship is best symbolized as a blossoming flower. For more than 30 years, immigrant communities have been awaiting legislation that would allow us to root fully in our home, the United States. As a DACA recipient and a DREAMER for 20 years, I have had access to the temporary solutions offered to some of us — solutions that offer some relief, but keep our communities and country wrapped tightly in a bud, unable to expand or grow. Permanent solutions — that is, legislation that would protect immigrants already contributing to our economy, communities and care have yet to blossom…”

Guerrero (LA Times): Who will be the champion for immigrants in the post-Trump era?

10/21/2021

“President Biden promised to “aggressively advocate for legislation that creates a clear road map to legal status and citizenship” for 11 million, acknowledging them as an ‘essential’ part of his “Build Back Better” plan. But his sweeping bill, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, went nowhere…”

Kamasaki (Medium): How the Senate Parliamentarian Can Get to ‘Yes’ on Immigration

9/30/2021

“Experts have noted the increasingly significant role played by the Senate Parliamentarian on the fate of critical legislation.[ii] This was never more in evidence when on September 19 and again 10 days later the Parliamentarian declined…”

Fitz (Roll Call): Immigration reform is a perfect fit for budget reconciliation

8/20/2021

“Several months of bipartisan Senate negotiations has yielded a stalemate on broadly popular measures that would enable certain categories of qualified immigrants — such as ‘Dreamers’ and farmworkers — to earn legal permanent residence…”

Muñoz (The Hill): Senate parliamentarian strains to block long overdue immigration reform

9/26/2021

“Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough’s stunning recent decision to disallow immigration proposals from the budget reconciliation bill made it abundantly clear how eager she was to get to ‘no,’ despite ample precedent and a strong rationale that would allow for the immigration proposal to be included in a reconciliation bill….”