MIAMI – Happening now, immigrant youth and allies from United We Dream, Florida Rising, Immigrant Action Alliance and the Florida Immigrant Coalition are taking action outside Senator Marco Rubio’s Florida home. Immigrant youth and allies showed up this morning with a Mariachi band to make some noise and demand Senator Rubio protect immigrant communities by prioritizing a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrant young people, TPS holders and essential workers.
Thomas Kennedy, Undeniable Campaign Manager of United We Dream, said:
“Time and again, Marco Rubio has failed to take action to protect immigrants from deportation. Right now, he has an opportunity to chart a new path forward and begin correcting his record on immigration by prioritizing a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. Earlier this month, Republican Representatives Salazar, Gimenez and Diaz-Balart voted to pass the Dream & Promise Act in the House. Just like their South Florida counterparts in the House, Republicans in the Senate can and should prioritize passing a pathway to citizenship. We’re calling on Sen. Rubio to do what is right and what is popular with the majority of the American people: Pass a pathway to citizenship for millions in our communities by voting ‘YES’ on the Dream, Secure and Farm Workforce Modernization bills by April 30.
Every day, immigrant youth and our families remain at risk of detention and deportation. With COVID-19 continuing to devastate Florida communities, undocumented immigrants remain among the most vulnerable with little to no protections and unequal access to vaccines. While we hope Sen. Rubio acts with the urgency this moment requires, we also are not naive to his cowardice on this issue, and are also calling on Senate Democrats to move forward without him and his Republican allies if they refuse to act.”
Idalia Quinteros, Member of United We Dream Florida, said:
“Immigrant young people like me have been living in a constant state of fear and anxiety over the insecurity of our futures. Without any form of protection from deportation, my life and the place I love and call home, could change overnight. No one deserves to live in perpetual fear for their safety and that of their families. Senators that represent me – like Marco Rubio – can change that and ensure permanent protections for millions of people like me by passing the Dream, Secure and Farm Workforce Modernization bills immediately. Senator Rubio has supported the Dream Act in the past, but if he refuses to follow through to protect immigrant youth like me, then Democrats must use their power and pass protections without him.”
