Augusta – 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 immigrant workers have been unjustly excluded from full citizenship in the United States.
“As one who works daily with Hispanic immigrants, I see the struggle they go through and the fear of deportation with which they live,” stated Sister Patricia Pora, Sisters of Mercy in Portland, Maine. “I urge Congress to pass permanent residency and a pathway to citizenship for TPS-holders, Dreamers and agricultural workers. Dreamers no longer know their home countries and most of the TPS-holders and farmworkers in Maine have been here for at least twenty years, and also no longer know their countries of origin. All fit into the category of ‘essential worker’ and the state of Maine, with its high percentage of elderly citizens, does not have enough people to fill available jobs.
“As one dairy farmer stated, ‘if the citizens want milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream, they better not touch my workers, because I can’t take care of 420 cows by myself.’ As a nation, we need to recognize the dignity of all its residents.”
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. New 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 Maine are calling on Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to ensure that a path to citizenship for our immigrant family members, neighbors, and friends becomes law this year.
Residents of Maine, including communities of faith, want Congress to pass a path to citizenship. 915 individuals and 195 faith-based organizations sent a letter to Congress calling for a path to citizenship by any means necessary, including several faith leaders in Maine. Recent polling in Maine shows broad support for a path to citizenship, particularly through the formation of the Maine Compact on Immigration, made up of more than 90 businesses, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and higher education institutions. There are approximately 10,000 undocumented essential workers in Maine 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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