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Immigrants Are Essential to America's Recovery

Across the United States, Americans continue to face the harsh reality of life amid a global pandemic and the ensuing economic fallout. Among those Americans bearing the brunt of this are 10.4 million undocumented immigrants. At the same time, millions of these same immigrants have worked alongside their neighbors over the past nine months to keep the country functioning and safe.

Immigrants have worked as doctors and nurses caring for loved ones and fighting the pandemic, but these unique times have also highlighted their crucial work as agricultural workers harvesting Americans' food; clerks stocking grocery shelves; and delivery drivers bringing food to the safety of people's homes. After decades of taking these jobs for granted, the country has come to realize just how essential these individuals and their contributions are.

For years, all Americans have relied on the outsize impacts that undocumented immigrants' contributions bring to the economy. A path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants is not only the right way to honor these members of the American family, it would also ensure that these contributions are not lost for all in the United States.

Learn more about the fiscal and economic contributions of undocumented workers and how they are keeping the country moving forward as essential workers in the face of the pandemic.

Related reading: A New Paradigm for Humane and Effective Immigration Enforcement

In Case You Missed It: We Are Essential
Earlier this week, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Juli?n Castro and an all-star lineup of panelists joined the Center for American Progress for a discussion on the important role of immigrants in building a dynamic and resilient economy for all and the urgent need for a path to permanent legal status. Watch the event video »

On November 30, President-elect Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden to the position of director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Read the statements from CAP founder John Podesta and CAP board of directors Chair Tom Daschle »

In the Spotlight

Take Action To Extend the Census Deadline

U.S. Census Bureau employees have said—under oath—that it's impossible to finalize an accurate census by the end of the year. Yet the Trump administration is still pressuring the Census Bureau to finalize census numbers by the end of 2020.

A failed census will particularly affect harder-to-reach populations such as rural communities, low-income households, people of color, native populations living on tribal lands, disabled people, immigrants, young people, and small children.

It will also directly harm the entire U.S. economy by depriving us of the accurate information that we need to locate schools, infrastructure, and businesses.

Take action today and tell your senators to ensure that the Census Bureau receives an extension.

TAKE ACTION

The Future of the Census
While the debacle of the 2020 census could lead the way to disaster, the Biden administration can take some steps to correct the errors in the 2020 process and prepare for a census success story in 2030.

CAP experts recommend that the Biden administration take four simple steps to reevaluate 2020 census operations, depoliticize and restore order to future census processes, and ensure that the 2030 census counts every person residing in the United States.

Read more »

Major Stories This Week

People vote on the last day of early voting for the 2020 U.S. elections at The Forum on November 2, 2020, in Los Angeles.

Affirmative Action Has a Brand Problem

Voters in the most progressive and racially diverse state in the union just rejected affirmative action. It is critical for proponents to address messaging complexities—and perhaps even move away from the term "affirmative action" if it carries baggage that prevents voters from recognizing its true value.

A woman stands behind a partial protective plastic screen and wears a mask and gloves as she works as a cashier at a supermarket on April 13, 2020, in Miami.

URGENT: Congress Needs To Extend Financial Relief as COVID-19 Cases Rise

Flattening the curve becomes more possible when fewer people must regularly leave their home to work and when those who are sick or living with someone who's sick have the financial and job security to be able to stay home to recover or provide care.

World leaders pose for a photo at the Ancient Greek Theater of Taormina during the G-7 summit in Sicily on May 26, 2017.

How the United States Can Help Bring the World's Democracies Together

From the United States to the Philippines, from Brazil to Hungary, democratic institutions around the world have been eroded in recent years by illiberal leaders. Here's what a new Biden administration should do about it.

President-elect Joe Biden waves after addressing the media about the Trump administration's lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act on November 10, 2020.

Public Option Reform Would Help Put American Health Care Back on Track

The public option proposed by a number of recent reform proposals would lower premiums for many middle-class families, provide cost-sharing relief for those with employer-sponsored insurance, and more.

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