Good afternoon,

As 2023 draws to a close, it is important to reflect on the progress made this past year. 2023 saw the reintroduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act, continued advocacy for Dreamers in the wake of DACA being ruled unlawful, the end of Title 42, and continued border negotiations in Congress. While progress is not linear, and the issue of immigration reform had some setbacks this year, the push for reform among all facets has been exceptionally heartening to myself and advocates alike.

For example, this year, the introduction of legislation such as the Dignity Act demonstrated the willingness of Democrats and Republicans to come together in an effort to strengthen border security, provide undocumented individuals with pathways to citizenship, and aim to comprehensively update the U.S. legal immigration system. In a perfect world, Congress would have passed a reform like the Dignity Act this year. While that did not happen, introductions of legislative bipartisan solutions are still a part of the path to progress.

As we turn our attention to 2024, the impending election year will not be without its challenges. Candidates at all levels of government and on both sides of the aisle will campaign on and discuss immigration reform throughout the election year. While divisive rhetoric may dominate the national conversation around immigration issues and immigrants, we need to ensure that compassion and human dignity are more central in this conversation.

Going into next year I take comfort in knowing Americans want a presidential candidate who will work with both sides of the aisle on immigration reform. According to the latest polling conducted by the National Immigration Forum in partnership with the Bullfinch group, 85% of registered voters say they would support a candidate who works to bring order to the border and enact bipartisan immigration reforms that address labor needs, inflation, and existing foreign-born workers. I hope we can continue to bring this momentum with us into the bright and shining new year.

Before the year ends, please join me in contacting your members of Congress to share your support for meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform. As next year’s election approaches, we can begin our work now to raise awareness and inform voters that immigration reform that preserves human dignity and protects national security is possible. In 2024, let’s continue to work towards progress, recognizing smaller steps because even the smallest act can make the biggest difference.

Stay hopeful, healthy, and committed.

Wishing you happy holidays,

Andrea

Andrea Corro
Field and Constituencies Coordinator
National Immigration Forum 

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

BORDER REPORT: Poll: Voters want candidates who will ‘restore order to the border’

NEW YORK TIMES: Inside the border talks that could decide the fate of Ukraine aid

AXIOS: U.S. deploys AI in "virtual border wall"

REUTERS: Texas must remove Rio Grande migrant barrier, US appeals court rules

NBC NEWS: Immigration-related high-speed chases lead to more deaths in Texas, report finds

AP: Smugglers are bringing migrants to a remote Arizona border crossing, overwhelming US agents

CBS NEWS: Judge approves settlement barring U.S. border officials from reviving family separation policy for 8 years