May 10, 2021
Media Advisory: May 12, 2021 — 12:00 PM ET
Immigrant mothers demand pathway to citizenship on day Citizenship for Essential Workers Bill is heard in Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – Hundreds of immigrant mothers, families, activists and allies will march from the Republican National Committee to the Senate offices to hold a ‘People’s Hearing’ on essential workers, on the day the Senate hears the Citizenship for Essential Workers Bill. The activists, including immigrant mothers and essential workers, will call out Republican obstructionists who have continued to block a pathway to citizenship for any immigrants through regular legislative order. The action comes in the wake of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying he is ‘100 percent’ focused on ‘stopping’ the Biden administration. On May 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for essential workers. Hundreds gather to call on Senate leadership to act now to include a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers in the American Families Plan.
Throughout the pandemic, immigrant mothers played critical roles as essential workers. Immigrant mothers worked both in their homes and in their communities. They helped their children navigate virtual school at home while also working as nurses, child care providers, and grocery store workers in their communities. Immigrant mothers and families did so much to help the country through this pandemic at such a high risk to themselves and their own families. They are essential, and they deserve a pathway to citizenship.
WHAT: Rally, march, and traffic stop
View the event on facebook: https://fb.me/e/UEabWs1f
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12, 2021 — 12:00 PM ET
WHERE: Republican National Committee (RNC), 310 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
March Route: at 12:30 PM, the rally will conclude outside of the RNC and the marchers will arrive at 1st St. NE and Constitution Ave. NE at 1:00 PM. The ‘People’s Hearing’ will begin at 1:00 PM at the intersection of 1st St. NE and Constitution Ave. NE outside of the Dirksen Senate Office Building and Russell Senate Office Building. The ‘People’s Hearing’ will be held in the intersection, in front of the Senate Buildings, to communicate the urgency of the situation.
WHO: Hundreds of immigrant mothers, community members, activists, and allies along with participating organizations: CASA, Center for Popular Democracy, Disciples Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, FIRM, IUPAT DC51, IBEW Local 26, MPower Change, The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Northern Virginia Labor Federation
RSVP: For more information on the actions, please contact Jenna DeFosse
VISUALS: Activists, including mothers, essential workers, and other directly impacted community members, will hold a “People’s Hearing” on Essential Workers, blocking traffic in front of the Senate Buildings to communicate the urgency of the situation. Images will include photos of immigrant essential workers and mothers, flowers, signs that say “Don’t break my mother’s heart,” shirts that say “My Mom is Essential” and other visual reminders that Immigrant Mothers Are Essential. Mariachi band will play at Senate offices.
THIS IS A COVID-SAFE EVENT: Masks are required and must cover the nose and mouth. Hand sanitizer will be available and is required for use. All must practice the social distancing policy, keeping six feet of distance.
MORE: The Biden administration and the current Congress were elected by committing to take action on progressive issues, including immigration reform. While legislation was introduced earlier this year, Congress has already bypassed the first two opportunities to include a path to citizenship for Essential Workers, TPS, and DACA holders in COVID recovery bills introduced within the first 100 days of the administration. This Mother’s Day, as the Senate considers legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for Essential Workers, it is more urgent than ever that they act now to include immigrant essential workers in the American Families Plan.
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With over 100,000 members across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and South Central Pennsylvania, CASA is the largest member-based Latino and immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region. Visit us at www.wearecasa.org and follow us on Twitter at @CASAforall
