Considering that it increases restrictions and punishment policies, Some Hispanic congressmen joined dozens of organizations that defend immigrants, to criticize the bipartisan Senate project which includes actions at the border and immigration.
The project is supported by President Joe Biden, but since some aspects of the plan were revealed weeks ago, various voices have been raised against it, including for not including any member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) in the negotiations.
One of the voices that criticize the plan is Senator Alex Padilla (California), who pointed out that part of the plan contemplates a “new version of a failed policy” on immigration issues of former President Donald Trump.
In addition, the proposed asylum restrictions could be violating international agreements, coupled with the fact that the bill – which is part of the $118 billion national security package – does not integrate permanent protections for certain immigrants, including ‘dreamers’.
“The agreement includes a new version of a failed Trump-era immigration policy that will cause more chaos at the border, not less. “It is in conflict with our international treaties and obligations to provide people with the opportunity to seek asylum,” Padilla said in a statement Sunday night. “It does not address the root causes of migration. And it provides no relief to Dreamers, farmworkers, and other long-term undocumented residents of our country.”
Padilla, who chairs the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Security, said he has tried on several occasions to reach a bipartisan immigration agreement, but added that he cannot think of helping allies – referring to Ukraine and Israel – by affecting programs of immigration protection.
“It is essential that we support our allies in their fight to defend democracy and provide humanitarian aid, but not at the expense of dismantling our asylum system and, ultimately, failing to alleviate the challenges at our border,” he considered.
A $20 billion plan
The Senate bill on national security is a comprehensive package that includes $20 billion to increase border security cagainst irregular immigration and drug trafficking.
It also establishes new restrictions on asylum requests and accelerated deportation processing, although it also considers benefits for workers with H-1B visas.
Representative Raúl Grijalva (Arizona) expressed himself in a similar vein to that of Senator Padilla, who considered that the Senate had the opportunity to advance “humanitarian” immigration reform.
“The bill doubles down on punitive measures that read like an extreme Republican wish list full of failed Trump-era immigration policies,” he said. “I am disappointed that time was wasted on what could have been a productive attempt to create real immigration reform.”
Grijalva highlighted that, despite the punitive actions in the project, Republicans in the House have announced that they will not support the project.
“The president of the House [Mike] Johnson and the extreme Republican majority in the House of Representatives have declared the bill ‘dead on arrival,’ proving the point that they want to use immigration as a political campaign wedge in the 2024 elections.” .
Rejection of civil organizations
The National Association for New Americans (NPNA), a coalition of 70 organizations, also criticized the bill, saying it includes “punitive anti-asylum, immigration, and detention policies that criminalize immigration.”
“This bill has no future”, considered Nicole Melaku, executive director of NPNA. “We stand with our members and field partners in opposing this bill and urge our members of Congress to reject this bill and prioritize funding solutions that support welcoming policies and viable immigration pathways.”
The UnidosUs organization also spoke out against it, highlighting the punitive actions for immigrants.
“We want to express our deep disappointment with the bipartisan border agreement reached in the Senate… with the support of the Biden Administration,” said Janet Murguía, president and CEO of UnidosUS. “In addition to its harsh and unfeasible measures at the border, the plan does nothing to resolve the status of long-term undocumented immigrants, who are our family members, co-workers, schoolmates and neighbors.”
When considering that The agreement does not represent comprehensive immigration reform and long-standing, Immigration Hub Executive Director Kerri Talbot acknowledged the willingness of senators from both parties to move forward.
“The agreement…offers temporary measures for an immigration system that urgently needs bold, lasting solutions that fully invest in the modernization of our border infrastructure and a path to citizenship for Dreamers and millions of hard-working immigrant families in our nation,” he said. . “If enacted, the bill would severely restrict the ability to seek asylum at the United States border.”