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.—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.
Though DACA has survived for almost a decade, it is once again being challenged in the courts by Texas and eight other Republican states. In honor of DACA Day, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) released the following statement:
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:
"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) welcomes the announcement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to close the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Irwin County Detention Center," said Chair Dr. Ruiz. "It is unacceptable and shameful that detainees received gynecological procedures without their informed consent and lived in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The CHC will continue to advance the Biden Administration's pursuit of a professional, humane, and efficient immigration system."
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.
The Dream and Promise Act would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to contribute fully to the country they love and know to be their home by providing a pathway to citizenship.
Chair Dr. Ruiz
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.
Following the endorsement, CHC Chair Dr. Ruiz and bill sponsors Sen. Padilla and Rep. Castro released the following statements:
CHC Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36):
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. The letter outlines actions that can be taken to reduce the barriers that Hispanic and immigrant communities face to receive these life-saving services, including a lack of reliable information in their languages, misinformation, and fear of deportations.
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).
The Dream and Promise Act, which was led by CHC Members Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
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. As a result, federal courts dismissed the appeals, ending the 2019 policy. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) issued the following statement after the announcement:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas designated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, until September 2022. The move comes as Venezuela's living conditions have revealed a country in turmoil. The designation would provide Venezuelan nationals—who can demonstrate continuous residence—protection from deportation and an opportunity to apply for work authorization. Individuals desiring TPS must file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within a 180-day registration period. All individuals applying for TPS undergo security and background checks as part of determining eligibility.