Press Release
AALDEF urges Senator Schumer to disregard Senate parliamentarian’s latest opinion on immigration plan in Build Back Better Act
NEW YORK — Last Thursday, the Senate parliamentarian, an unelected staff attorney who works for the Judiciary Committee, issued yet another negative decision on the immigration provision that Democrats sought to include in the Build Back Better bill. Her opinion clearly indicates that she has no intention of approving any form of immigration relief for the millions of undocumented individuals in the United States. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) issued the following statement:
“No matter what the parliamentarian has said about the immigration proposals presented to her as part of budget reconciliation, including her most recent flawed opinion, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and members of his caucus need to show leadership and deliver permanent protections for undocumented youth, TPS holders, essential workers, and the rest of the undocumented immigrant community. These individuals, the vast majority of whom have lived in our country for well over 10 years, deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion,” said Annie J. Wang, director of AALDEF’s Immigrant Justice Project.
AALDEF recommends that the Senate revisit updating the registry provision, an existing part of U.S. immigration law, so that millions can qualify for permanent resident (“green card”) status. Despite this latest setback, Democrats need to find a way to deliver on their promise of a pathway to citizenship.
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For additional information, contact:
Stuart J. Sia
Communications Director
212.966.5932 x203
ssia@aaldef.org
Annie J. Wang
Director, Immigrant Justice Project
212.966.5932 x213
awang@aaldef.org