Immigration and Border Issues
The Immigration and Border Issues Task Force provides a national voice and leadership with regard to immigration and border issues, both within the halls of Congress and on behalf of diverse communities across the United States.
Members:
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, Co-Chair
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Co-Chair
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Rep. Juan Vargas
Rep. Filemon Vela
Senator Robert Menendez
More on Immigration and Border Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the highest-ranking Latino in the U.S. Congress, and Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) have introduced a bicameral resolution recognizing the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month. Following the introduction, CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the subsequent statement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, June 15th, 2021, marks nine years since President Barack Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, offering protections to millions of people known as “Dreamers” who were brought to the United States at a young age. The program does not offer Dreamers permanent protections or a pathway to citizenship.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced plans to close the Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement after the announcement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) called for the Senate passage of the Dream and Promise Act, following President Joe Biden’s meeting with DACA recipients. Six Dreamers from across the country sat down with President Biden in the Oval Office today, including Leydy Rangel, National Communications Manager for the United Farm Workers, whose hometown is Coachella, California.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has endorsed the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, introduced by CHC Members Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20).
The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would provide a pathway to lawful permanent resident status and eventual U.S. citizenship for more than 5 million undocumented essential workers who have been a critical part of the COVID-19 response.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On April 22, 2021, Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients listing further steps and recommendations that can be taken to better address COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccine equity in Hispanic and immigrant communities.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), and the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), led by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), released a new report that explores why immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy—both now (i.e. economic recovery) and in the future (i.e. economic growth)—despite being among the hardest hit by the health and economic effects of the coronavirus.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Statement Denouncing Attacks Against CHC Member Congresswoman Norma J. Torres
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, in a series of tweets, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele attacked Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Member Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35). CHC Members released the following statement condemning the attacks:
“The Congressional Hispanic Caucus strongly denounces recent attacks against our Member, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres,” said the Members.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed two bipartisan bills: H.R. 6 the Dream and Promise Act, introduced by CHC Member and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and H.R. 1603 the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Immigration and Citizenship Judiciary Subcommittee Chairperson Zoe Lofgren (CA-19).
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 2, 2021, the President issued Executive Order 14,012, directing the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to review the implementation of the public charge ground of inadmissibility. As part of its review, DHS determined that continuing to defend the Trump’s public charge rule was neither in the public interest nor an efficient use of limited government resources. Therefore, yesterday, the Biden Administration dropped its litigation defense of the Trump Administration’s public charge regulations.