Austin, TX – Today, the Austin City Council passed a resolution in support of a pathway to citizenship. In the resolution, the City Council urges Congress to pass legislation like the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act – both bills passed in the House in March with bipartisan support. This resolution comes ahead of the nine year anniversary of DACA, and a series of activities by United We Dream and allies to commemorate the anniversary on June 15.
Juan Manuel Guzman, State Advocacy Director of United We Dream, said:
“It’s exciting to see the Austin City Council passing a resolution urging Congress to pass bills providing a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. This is especially timely as it comes a few days before the nine year anniversary of the announcement of DACA, and during immigrant heritage month. We’re also currently waiting for a ruling from Judge Hanen following the Texas Attorney General suing to end DACA. Seeing the continued attacks on programs like DACA, passing a pathway to citizenship is the only way to truly provide relief for undocumented people. To continue to push Congress to take urgent action and pass citizenship through reconciliation, other local governments should follow the Austin City Council’s lead and urge Congress to take action!”
Karen Reyes, DACA Recipient and member of United We Dream, said:
“As a DACA recipient and special education teacher in Austin, Texas, it is welcomed to see my city council urging Congress to pass a much needed pathway to citizenship for undocumented people. Last month I had the opportunity to join President Biden for a meeting at the White House with other DACA recipients. In that meeting with the President I shared my story, the story of my mom an undocumented domestic worker, the stories of my beloved students and my immigrant community in Austin and the greater Texas. We have lived undocumented in this country for decades, and so we need Congress and President Biden to work quickly to pass a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth, TPS holders, farm workers and other essential workers through reconciliation this year.”
