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Speaking Up for Immigration Reform
Good afternoon,
This past week, the National Immigration Forum hosted Leading the Way, a multi-day convening that brings together leaders and experts from various backgrounds to engage in conversations about immigration reform.
Leading the Way kicked off with various gatherings that enabled faith, law enforcement, national security, and business leaders to meet and discuss immigration challenges and possible solutions as we look toward advocating for immigration reform in what remains of this year and 2023.
Over 100 constituents from across the country met with congressional offices on Capitol Hill to push for the passage of incremental immigration reforms in the lame duck session, focusing on the need for bipartisan solutions for Dreamers, farmworkers, Afghans, and border solutions. You too can join in urging our representatives to support meaningful, bipartisan immigration reform!
The Forum also took the opportunity to recognize leaders and organizations that are taking the lead in making this country a better place for immigrants through the 2022 Keepers of the American Dream Award. This year’s recipients were Retired Chief Orlando Rolón from the Orlando (FL) Police Department, Maria Gabriela Pacheco, a Director at TheDream.US and Dreamer, Tyson Foods, and World Relief.
Senator Amy Klobuchar was also presented with the Courage to Lead Award for her commitment to work across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions. She opened the general session for Leading the Way by speaking about her commitment to immigration solutions and the urgency to pass legislation like the Afghan Adjustment Act and a permanent solution for DACA recipients. Senator Klobuchar expressed, "I believe in my heart that immigrants don’t diminish America; immigrants are America." She was followed by various panels of experts who spoke to the 2022 election, immigration as a pillar of agriculture and economic prosperity, welcoming Afghan allies, and building a healthier border dialogue.
Panel on Afghan Allies and Evacuees: Welcoming Those at Risk, with Sarah Cross, Molly McGregor, Joseph Azam, Ozzie Nelson, moderated by Jennie Murray. (Source: The National Immigration Forum)
Leading the Way is evidence that people can and do cross party lines and sectors to come together in the name of immigration reform. There is a better way forward and we all have a responsibility to lead the charge for a more humane and prosperous society for everyone.
Stay healthy and hopeful,
The Field & Constituencies Team
National Immigration Forum
P.S. The National Immigration Forum would like to thank Graciela Ponce, Field & Constituencies Intern, for her extensive contributions to this report.
NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:
CNN: Federal judge blocks Title 42 rule that allowed expulsion of migrants at US-Mexico border, puts order on hold for 5 weeks
AP NEWS: Arizona measure gives non-citizens in-state college tuition
THE HILL: Texas Democrats ask feds to ‘intervene’ against Greg Abbott’s ‘invasion’ declaration
NBC NEWS: Democrats eye DACA fix in lame-duck session
NPR: Top U.S. border official Chris Magnus resigns after less than a year on the job
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