Charleston – 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.
Today, faith leaders from diverse traditions in West Virginia sent a letter to their Senators urging them to include a path to citizenship through budget reconciliation.
“As an immigrant, I know that America stands for ‘Dreamers,’ and I also know what they add to this great nation if we will finally give them a legal pathway to live their lives without fear,” stated Rabbi Victor Urecki, B’nai Jacob Synagogue in Charleston. “Many of these immigrant children and adults are from families that fled bloodshed and violence, like my own family and so many of my fellow Jews in the 20th century. Sending them back to unstable and dangerous situations seems horribly reminiscent of what my people had to endure. We cannot allow that to happen again.”
Residents of West Virginia, including communities of faith, want Congress to pass a path to citizenship by any means necessary. Recent polling from Data For Progress found that 58% of West Virginians polled were in support of legislation that would create a path to citizenship for essential workers and other undocumented immigrants; another poll taken by the ACLU of West Virginia found that two-thirds of those polled were in support of a path to citizenship for DACA recipients and “Dreamers.” West Virginians further demonstrated this support at a recent May Day rally in Huntington where they urged Congress to pass a path to citizenship.
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 West Virginia are calling on Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Capito to ensure that a path to citizenship for our immigrant family members, neighbors, and friends becomes law this year.
“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
###