Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution which includes $107 Billion in order to create a legal pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth, TPS Holders, essential workers, and farm workers. The vote passed 49-50 with Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voting in favor of it. The resolution now moves to the U.S House of Representatives.

Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights said:

“immigrant families and advocates have waited for over thirty-five years for the chance for a pathway to citizenship. We are closer to giving immigrant families who have lived and worked in Virginia the relief and freedom to thrive.

Modernizing our immigration system is a necessity. We celebrate the Senate passing the budget resolution and thank Senators Kaine and Warner for standing with immigrants. We welcome the House of Representatives the opportunity to invest in our country’s future by giving a pathway to citizenship for millions of families.” 

Over 5 million undocumented immigrant workers are working on the frontlines over the last year. Many are working in areas like health care, agriculture, housing, food services, transportation. In Virginia, 191,000 (4.4%) of the workforce are essential workers.

Support of a pathway has been stated by some of Virginia’s elected officials. Governor Ralph Northam sent a letter to the White House in support of the inclusion of immigrant essential workers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders in the second economic recovery bill. Mayor Stoney of Richmond joined 40+ mayors to send a letter to Congressional leadership and the White House.