AZ Faith Leaders to Senators: Path to Citizenship NOW!
By Lynn Tramonte for Interfaith Immigration Coalition
Phoenix – 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, fifty-three faith leaders from a diversity of faith traditions in Arizona sent a letter to their Senators urging them to include a path to citizenship through budget reconciliation.
“DACA has provided protection to young people who have grown up as neighbors, enriching our common life in the United States. It has allowed them to remain in the only home they have ever known, pursue their education, and work to strengthen our communities,” said Connie Phillips, President and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest in Arizona. “Indeed, the economic and social strength of America and Arizona derives in large part from the refugees, asylum-seekers, and DACA recipients that contribute enormously to the national and local economy: as members of the state’s workforce, as homeowners, as business owners and entrepreneurs, as consumers and as taxpayers. It is past time to provide a path toward citizenship for DACA recipients and welcome them to full participation as the US Citizens that, in all but legal status, they are.”
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 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 Arizona are calling on Senators Krysten Sinema and Mark Kelly to ensure that a path to citizenship for our immigrant family members, neighbors, and friends becomes law this year.
Residents of Arizona, including communities of faith, want Congress to pass a path to citizenship. In early May, 915 individuals and 195 faith-based organizations sent a letter to Congress calling for a path to citizenship by any means necessary, including fifteen individuals and three faith-based organization in Arizona: Beatitudes Church (Phoenix), Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose (Tucson), and Guadalupe Presbyterian Church Detention Ministry (Guadalupe).
With nearly 25,000 DACA recipients in Arizona, there is broad support – including from local policymakers – for pathways to citizenship for DACA recipients and “Dreamers,” among other immigrants. Recent polling from Data For Progress found that 66% of Arizonans polled were in support of legislation that would create a path to citizenship for essential workers and other undocumented immigrants.
“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.