“Today\'s announcement of a roadmap to citizenship for more than 11 million aspiring Americans is a testament to the unstoppable momentum in our country to create a just and compassionate immigration policy,” said Shar Knutson, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
“There are, however, some details in the bill that could cause unintended, but serious, harm to immigrant workers and the broader labor market. There is still much work to do in fixing these areas to ensure we have the best, most comprehensive and inclusive bill possible. We are committed to doing that work.”
The Service Employees International Union, which has been a major voice calling for reform, said introduction of the bill in the U.S. Senate is reason to celebrate.
“The majority of Americans believe immigration is good for our country but say the current system is just not working,” said Javier Morillo, president of SEIU Local 26. “Our country needs a commonsense process now for new American immigrants to become citizens.”
Discussion in the Senate Judiciary committee could begin as early as Friday. Minnesota Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar both sit on that committee.
“This bill is a good starting point, and we look forward to working with Senators Franken and Klobuchar on improving it,” said Jigme Ugen, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. “We thank Senators Franken and Klobuchar for their support and urge them to be vocal leaders on an issue that impacts all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status.”
SEIU will work with local business, faith and immigrant communities to address some concerns with the bill, including the length of the citizenship pathway, along with restrictions and a cut-off date that would leave hundreds of thousands out of the process.
“A pathway that lasts 13 years is unreasonable and unjust,” said Carol Nieters, executive director of SEIU Local 284. “It should be substantially shortened so all aspiring immigrants have a chance to become a full part of the American dream in a reasonable amount of time. We must expand the number of people eligible for the path to citizenship. The cut-off date and other restrictions including family classifications will tear apart hundreds of thousands of families.”
“Immigration reform must seek to keep families together,” said Morillo. “And that includes LGBT families. The current bill provides no recognition of LGBT families. Our nation was founded upon the very powerful idea that in this land, all people have rights. No matter what you look like, where you come from or who you love – everyone should get a fair shot at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
ISAIAH, a coalition of faith organizations based in the Twin Cities, is urging its members to call Congress and ask lawmakers to support a direct, inclusive and accessible pathway to citizenship and keeping families together.
“Now it is important that we make sure the path to citizenship is real – that it includes all 11 million undocumented immigrants; that it doesn’t have arbitrary barriers that exclude people or delay the process for more than a decade; and that it protects and reunites families,” said the Rev. Paul Slack, pastor of New Creation Church in North Minneapolis and president of ISAIAH.
“We will be pressing members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to strengthen the bill before it goes to the floor – by shortening the length of time to become a citizen so that no one waits longer than a decade; removing barriers that could exclude immigrants in our communities; and protecting the family-based visa program.”
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“Today\’s announcement of a roadmap to citizenship for more than 11 million aspiring Americans is a testament to the unstoppable momentum in our country to create a just and compassionate immigration policy,” said Shar Knutson, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
“There are, however, some details in the bill that could cause unintended, but serious, harm to immigrant workers and the broader labor market. There is still much work to do in fixing these areas to ensure we have the best, most comprehensive and inclusive bill possible. We are committed to doing that work.”
The Service Employees International Union, which has been a major voice calling for reform, said introduction of the bill in the U.S. Senate is reason to celebrate.
“The majority of Americans believe immigration is good for our country but say the current system is just not working,” said Javier Morillo, president of SEIU Local 26. “Our country needs a commonsense process now for new American immigrants to become citizens.”
Discussion in the Senate Judiciary committee could begin as early as Friday. Minnesota Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar both sit on that committee.
“This bill is a good starting point, and we look forward to working with Senators Franken and Klobuchar on improving it,” said Jigme Ugen, executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota. “We thank Senators Franken and Klobuchar for their support and urge them to be vocal leaders on an issue that impacts all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status.”
SEIU will work with local business, faith and immigrant communities to address some concerns with the bill, including the length of the citizenship pathway, along with restrictions and a cut-off date that would leave hundreds of thousands out of the process.
“A pathway that lasts 13 years is unreasonable and unjust,” said Carol Nieters, executive director of SEIU Local 284. “It should be substantially shortened so all aspiring immigrants have a chance to become a full part of the American dream in a reasonable amount of time. We must expand the number of people eligible for the path to citizenship. The cut-off date and other restrictions including family classifications will tear apart hundreds of thousands of families.”
“Immigration reform must seek to keep families together,” said Morillo. “And that includes LGBT families. The current bill provides no recognition of LGBT families. Our nation was founded upon the very powerful idea that in this land, all people have rights. No matter what you look like, where you come from or who you love – everyone should get a fair shot at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
ISAIAH, a coalition of faith organizations based in the Twin Cities, is urging its members to call Congress and ask lawmakers to support a direct, inclusive and accessible pathway to citizenship and keeping families together.
“Now it is important that we make sure the path to citizenship is real – that it includes all 11 million undocumented immigrants; that it doesn’t have arbitrary barriers that exclude people or delay the process for more than a decade; and that it protects and reunites families,” said the Rev. Paul Slack, pastor of New Creation Church in North Minneapolis and president of ISAIAH.
“We will be pressing members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to strengthen the bill before it goes to the floor – by shortening the length of time to become a citizen so that no one waits longer than a decade; removing barriers that could exclude immigrants in our communities; and protecting the family-based visa program.”