The time for action is now!
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌


 

 

 

**All We Want for Christmas is Immigration Reform**
Good afternoon,

December is the time of year when things seem to slow down for many of
us as the holidays approach. However, we at the National Immigration
Forum, in addition to our partners across the country, are working hard
to see immigration reform pass before the new year
<[link removed]>.

The time between the mid-term elections and the start of the new
congressional term in January is essential to bring immigration to the
forefront of our Members of Congress' minds. These next couple weeks
may be the only opportunity to provide long-lasting permanent solutions
for immigrants in the U.S. who are vulnerable to the whims of changing
membership in government.

Two weeks ago, leaders from across the country who represent law
enforcement, national security, faith and business sectors gathered in
Washington, D.C. for the Forum's annual Leading the Way
<[link removed]> conference
to connect, learn and advocate for bipartisan incremental immigration
reforms. These leaders and constituents understand the urgency of these
reforms and the impact action (or inaction) will have on immigrants in
our communities. Like the majority of Americans
<[link removed]>,
they want to see Democrats and Republicans work together to make these
reforms happen.

Leading the Way was filled with conversations on lame-duck priorities
including:  

**The Border**

Serious challenges are being faced at the southern border. Some
approaches have included policies like Migrant Protection Protocols
(MPP) and Title 42 which have hurt rather than benefitted immigrants and
immigration procedures.

Two weeks ago, a federal judge blocked the use of Title 42, setting its
end for December 21. In response to this, and in order to address the
influx of migrants arriving at the border, the Biden administration is
considering other policies which may resemble policies put in place by
the previous administration. While there are very real problems at the
border that need to be addressed, going back to policies that rely on
enforcement and deterrence is not the answer. In a time when
conversations around the border are contentious and divisive, we need to
focus on practical solutions that respect the humanity of migrants while
maintaining border security at the same time.

Experts in law enforcement and national security
<[link removed]>
discussed ways to build a healthier dialogue and focused on solutions in
the panel below.

[link removed]


**Click on the image to watch the Leading the Way general session panel:
Building a Healthier Border Dialogue (Source: National Immigration
Forum)**

**Dreamers**

There has been a lot of news about Dreamers over the last couple years,
especially as decisions have been taken at the judicial level
<[link removed]> to
consider the legality of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
in the last few months.

For the moment, the almost 700,000 DACA recipients are able to stay in
the U.S. and keep their temporary work authorization with the chance to
apply for renewal. However, it is likely that DACA will be declared
unlawful and these protections will be taken away if action is not taken
by Congress soon. These DACA recipients, and the millions of other
Dreamers in the U.S., many who have families of their own, will lose
their work authorization and face possible deportation to countries they
do not know.

Advocating for Dreamers is essential during the next few weeks as an
unlawful ruling will negatively impact not only Dreamers, but Americans
as a whole.

**Farmworkers**

Rising food prices have been at the top of people's minds.  Members
of Congress should be thinking about ways to address the acute labor
shortage in the agriculture and farm industries, which is a contributing
factor to rising food prices
<[link removed]>.

There are over one million undocumented farmworkers in the U.S.
<[link removed]>
whose hard work help bring food to our tables. However, a lack of
legislative solutions to give them status negatively impacts these
farmworkers' ability to work lawfully in the U.S.

During Leading the Way, Cathy Burns, a leading voice in American
agricultural policy, spoke about the importance of immigrant farmworkers
<[link removed]>
to the U.S. from an economic standpoint and discussed legislation to
address the current challenges with labor shortage and rising food
prices.

[link removed]


**Click on the image to watch the Leading the Way general session panel:
Immigration as a Pillar of Agriculture and Economic Prosperity (Source:
National Immigration Forum)**

**Afghans**

It's been over a year since the fall of Kabul and many Afghans
resettled in the U.S. since then still only have temporary protection.
In August, the Afghan Adjustment Act
<[link removed]>
was introduced in the Senate
<[link removed]>, which
would provide Afghans a pathway towards permanent status. However, this
bill has not been passed into law yet and until then, thousands of
Afghans forced from their homes are left in limbo as they wait to see
what their future could be in this country.

Sen. Klobuchar, one of six bipartisan cosponsors of the Afghan
Adjustment Act, spoke at the Leading the Way
<[link removed]>
general session about the importance of working towards a solution for
Afghans <[link removed]>, in
addition to a solution for Dreamers and the border.

The general session also included a panel of leaders
<[link removed]>
from various companies and organizations who discussed the U.S. response
to Afghan Allies and ongoing work to welcome people fleeing violence and
persecution.

[link removed]


**Click on the image to watch the Leading the Way general session panel:
Afghan Allies and Evacuees, Welcoming Those at Risk (Source: National
Immigration Forum)**

*******

Most Americans want to see immigration reforms happen this year,
including 70% of conservatives
<[link removed]>.
Our elected officials need to know that immigration reform is a priority
for their constituents and communities. **Join us in advocating**
<[link removed]> during this critical time so that immigrants in
our communities who are currently living in uncertainty - our friends,
family members, and colleagues - can live in peace knowing there is a
place for them here.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Allison

**Allison Bassett**
Field and Constituencies Associate
National Immigration Forum 

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

**BORDER REPORT:** Asylum rates drop as immigration cases are
fast-tracked, research finds 
<[link removed]>

**THE HILL:** Livestock farmers push for immigration bill
<[link removed]>

**THE NEW YORK TIMES:** Supreme Court weighs reviving Biden immigration
guidelines 
<[link removed]>

**THE TEXAS TRIBUNE:** Migrants flown from Texas to Massachusetts sue
"Perla," who recruited them for flights 
<[link removed]>

**CNN:**Senate Democrats restart talks to try to help DACA recipients
during lame-duck session
<[link removed]>

 

Donate Now
<[link removed]>

 

**Follow Us**

 

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

National Immigration Forum

10 G Street NE, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20002

www.immigrationforum.org <[link removed]>

 

Unsubscribe from BBB emails here.
<[link removed]>

Or opt-out from all Forum emails.
<[link removed]>

 

                                               
           
_________________

Sent to [email protected]

Unsubscribe:
[link removed]

National Immigration Forum, 10 G St NE, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20002, United States