B Stands for Bedrock

Good afternoon,

First and foremost: we are heartbroken for the victims, their families, and community members in both Atlanta and Boulder after this week’s senseless acts of violence. We denounce bigotry and hatred in any form, and our prayers are with you as we mourn these tragedies. 

Last Thursday evening, the House of Representatives passed two crucial immigration bills with bipartisan support: the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Together, these bills would protect hundreds of thousands of immigrants from deportation and create pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders and essential workers, who make countless contributions across the country. We applaud the 31 Republicans who crossed the aisle to vote for either the Dream and Promise Act or Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA), affirming GOP Rep. Maria Salazar’s (FL-27) recent assertion that "no political party holds a monopoly on compassion."

These votes mark a positive step in the right direction, but there is a tough road ahead. We must continue to show our support for Dreamers, TPS holders and farmworkers as these issues are considered in the Senate. In doing so, we can demonstrate our commitment to the Bibles, Badges, and Business Principles, the bedrock of the BBB network.

Our principles assert that, for a better immigration system in the United States, we must: 

• Recognize the need for safety and security on the border and in our communities. 
• Show compassion and justice to aspiring citizens by allowing them an opportunity to earn lawful status and citizenship. 
• Continue to be a welcoming and compassionate nation that embraces humanitarian visa programs.
• Protect family-based immigration as a core aspect of our national values. 
• Modernize our nation's laws so that future immigration of workers is legal, fair and orderly.

Check out a more detailed breakdown of the BBB principles here.

We believe the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act are consistent with these principles, as these bills provide pathways to citizenship for aspiring citizens, keep families together, and modernize our agricultural worker visa program.  To show your support for these – and future –bipartisan efforts, please join us by signing on to the BBB Principles.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Adam

Adam Estle
Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

P.S. Urge your Congressional representatives to support Dreamers, TPS holders and farmworkers by signing our petition.

P.P.S.  A follow up from last week’s report on the southern border: the Biden administration is reviving the Central American Minors (CAM) program to curb the increase in unaccompanied children seeking asylum at the border. Learn more about this program in the Forum’s latest fact sheet. Also, see our explainer of the border situation for an overview.

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

AXIOS: Biden calls border situation normal: "It happens every single solitary year"

POLITICO: Finally a breakthrough: Senate actually talking immigration

WASHINGTON POST: Girl's solo journey to US border shows risks parents take

ASSOCIATED PRESS: US and Mexico discuss immigration in high level meetings

THE HILL: DHS chief takes lead in Biden administration’s border response defense.