Democrats Must Pass Legalization for Immigrants in Lame Duck Session, NYIC Action Demands

New York, NY—While Tuesday’s midterm election showed strong results for Democrats across the country, unified Democratic control of the federal government is unlikely to continue in 2023. NYIC Action demands that Congress and President Biden pass permanent protections through legalization for 11 million undocumented people during this lame duck period, before Republicans hijack the democratic process and deny people meaningful protections.

Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, NYIC Action:

“Immigrant communities have waited for over 35 years for a pathway to legalization. Dreamers, TPS holders, and other undocumented immigrants have been waiting for a pathway to citizenship to grant them a chance at safety and opportunity. With Democrats holding control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives for only a few more weeks, the prospect of passing permanent protections is rapidly slipping away. This lame duck session, Democrats in Congress have an obligation to pass a pathway to citizenship—another chance likely won’t come for years, which is far too long to keep millions of people’s lives in limbo. Our community has continued to show up and deliver election victories, but we continue to see immigration reform on the cutting board first. For Democrats to delay passing meaningful protections once again, despite the stakes of this moment, would be a cruel slap in the face to the 11 million undocumented people whose livelihoods depend on it.” 

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