AILA Applauds Congress for Passing Historic Budget Resolution that Includes Legalization Programs for Dreamers, TPS Holders, Essential Workers, and Ot
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 25, 2021
CONTACT:
George Paul Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org
WASHINGTON, DC – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) applauds yesterday’s passage by the House of Representatives of a budget resolution that includes over $100 billion to support legalization programs for Dreamers, recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), essential workers, and other eligible immigrants, as well as other reforms to the immigration system. The House vote advances the effort to win immigration reform to the next step for inclusion in the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package. In the upcoming weeks, the Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate will draft language consistent with the bill after which the Senate parliamentarian will decide whether the language is appropriate for inclusion in budget reconciliation. A vote on the final bill is expected this fall.
Allen Orr, President of AILA, said, “Yesterday, Congress jumped yet another big hurdle in moving forward with reforming America’s immigration system. The great majority of Americans consistently support granting citizenship to people who lack documentation and have been living here with their families, helping build our nation, and fighting for our recovery during the pandemic and economic recession. This is a no-brainer and AILA is determined to make sure the fractured politics of Congress don’t stand in the way of smart solutions that will not only strengthen our communities but will benefit the economy and make America safer.”
Greg Chen, AILA Senior Director of Government Relations, added, “The resolution allocates $107 billion to provide legal permanent status to undocumented immigrants and other measures that will improve the operations of the immigration system. For years, Americans have called upon Congress and the president to provide solutions to our immigration system and create a path to citizenship to the millions of immigrants who are part of our families and communities. Momentum is now building for Congress to make the immigration system work for America. AILA is also urging Congress to include reforms that reduce the enormous backlogs on visas, eliminate long delays in the processing of cases, and ensure court proceedings are fair, efficient, and consistent with due process.”
The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.