The Farmworker Association of Florida is disappointed in the decision of the Senate Parliamentarian to disallow the inclusion of immigration status and a pathway to citizenship in the budget reconciliation bill this week. This is a blow for for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
The decision is a blow for people who have been working hard, some for many years and even decades, to build a live for themselves and their families. People who contribute to our nation’s culture and economy. Our nation’s immigrants just want the opportunity to adjust their immigration status and no longer live in fear and intimidation, with the threat of discrimination, detention and possible deportation. No one wants to be forcibly separated from their family, or to be prevented from traveling to be with family in their countries of origin.
“We are concerned for the millions of undocumented individuals and families who form the backbone of our country, who have hopes, aspirations and desires to be a part of the rich tapestry that makes this one nation for all.”
Our call on Congress
The continued lack of immigration status, unfortunately, means that millions of hard-working immigrants will continue to be vulnerable to the violations of the important workplace protections that many of us take for granted. We call on Congress to make immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants a top priority and a reality. A pathway to citizenship will mean that our neighbors, our colleagues and the workers who serve us every day will have the ability to better take care of themselves and their families, and to be able to speak out for themselves.
As one of the leading immigrants’ rights and farmworker rights organisations in Florida, we say the time to do something is now!