Progress on immigration reforms but time is running out
Does Immigration Reform Have a Pulse?
Earlier this month, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) floated a framework for legislation on border and other immigration reforms. The two senators put together this plan to address security challenges at the southern border while finding
solutions for approximately 2 million Dreamers and DACA recipients. Specifically, this framework negotiates expedited asylum processing, faster removals, temporary continuation of Title 42, more funding for border officers, new processing centers, and additional asylum judges to boost existing resources and measures and tackle urgent border challenges and immigration issues.
National security and faith leaders believe that the Tillis-Sinema agreement is a crucial step in the right direction. It is encouraging to witness ongoing negotiations and bipartisan efforts to address immigration reform and border security, and many of these measures would help solve longstanding problems. But unfortunately, the plan does not seem likely to have the necessary support from 10 Republican senators in time to pass this Congress. If senators do not act now, it will likely be months or even years before an opportunity like this one arises again.
While positive conversations are taking place behind the scenes in Congress, it seems like a Christmas miracle for this deal to become law. If this crucial bipartisan agreement is dead, the future of 2 million Dreamers will remain uncertain for months or even years to come. And Congress will have also missed out on its best chance to significantly increase border security. Therefore, join me today to advocate for Dreamers and push for immigration reform by urging your senators to act now before this rare
opportunity is no longer possible.
Advocates like you are currently playing a major role in pushing Congress to act on other urgent immigration issues such as Afghan refugees and farmworkers. Therefore, the fight for meaningful immigration reforms must continue, and we will continue to be with you on this journey.
Stay hopeful, healthy, and committed.
Wishing you happy holidays,
Oula Alrifai
Assistant Vice President of Field & Constituencies
National Immigration Forum
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