Raleigh – Essential workers, many of whom are our immigrant family members and neighbors, are among the millions of Americans that have come together to help get us through the pandemic. And yet, many immigrants working in essential roles have been unjustly excluded from full citizenship in the United States.
“As a faith leader who has worked with immigrants both as colleagues and as folks who receive some sort of service from the organization I am working with, I have seen the wide range of ways our country treats those who are in the United States with various forms of documentation,” stated Rev. Julie Wilson, Director of Open Arms Community in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “My faith clearly teaches me to welcome the ‘foreigner among us’ and treat them with dignity. For far too long our country has failed to do so. Our immigration system has gotten more and more complicated and burdensome and as a result some of the people who have lived here for a long time and contributed a great deal to our communities have suffered. And they will continue to suffer until we make some changes and allow a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented neighbors who are already here and actively part of our society. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the just thing to do. It’s what God calls us to do.”
Both Congress and the American people want solutions. Congress has made many legislative attempts at creating a path to citizenship. In March, bills that allow farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to apply for permanent legal status cleared the House on a bipartisan basis. Polling from NPR/Ipsos, Global Strategy Group, ALG Research, Public Opinion Strategies (GOP) poll, and Data For Progress all show that a range of 66% to 75% of those polled desire a path to citizenship. In spite of this overwhelming support, a permanent solution has yet to be signed into law.
As people of faith, we believe in the inherent dignity of every human being, worthy of justice and inclusion. We believe that our federal government must legislate in ways that promote full human flourishing, as creating a path to citizenship would do. The next step is for the Senate to take bold action. The people of North Carolina are calling on Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr to ensure that a path to citizenship for our immigrant family members, neighbors, and friends becomes law this year.
Residents of North Carolina, including people of faith, want Congress to pass a path to citizenship. Over 900 faith leaders and 195 faith-based organizations sent a letter to Congress calling for a path to citizenship by any means necessary, including 18 faith leaders and several faith-based organizations in North Carolina. Additionally, six North Carolina mayors recently sent a letter to Congress in support of a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and “Dreamers.” Recent polling from Data For Progress found that 66% of North Carolinians polled were in support of legislation that would create a path to citizenship for essential workers and other undocumented immigrants. There are approximately 150,000 undocumented immigrant essential workers in North Carolina – over 4% of the state’s essential workforce – in need of a path to citizenship.
“Congress and the Biden administration must seize this opportunity and finally move things forward on immigration,” said Elissa Diaz, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Church World Service and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC). “A path to citizenship has broad support across the country, including among people of faith. It would transform the lives of so many children and families, including those who are members of our congregations, places of worship, and communities. Our leadership in Washington must do everything possible, and use every legislative means at their disposal, to pass it this year.”
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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