Washington, D.C. – Led by Senator Padilla, today the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety, held a hearing to discuss the essential role immigrant workers have played amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Senior Advocacy Manager of United We Dream, said:
“Over five million undocumented people continue to put their lives on the line to keep our communities and families healthy, fed, and safe amidst the pandemic. Despite facing increased risk of exposure to COVID-19, millions of undocumented people remain excluded from federal relief and recovery efforts, and in several cases have been denied vaccines in states like Florida and Texas because of their immigration status.
With immigration status being one of the most significant barriers preventing communities from fully recovering from COVID-19, passing a pathway to citizenship for essential workers, immigrant youth, TPS holders, and farm workers is relief. Until all undocumented communities are protected permanently, we will not fully recover. Senate Democrats must do everything in their power to act swiftly to deliver a pathway to citizenship for millions now! This includes adding a pathway to citizenship for millions in the American Jobs Package and moving it through the budget reconciliation process.”
