April 16th, 2024
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) convened a Capitol Hill briefing alongside U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to spotlight the significant contributions of long-term undocumented immigrants to U.S communities and its economy. “Today, there are an estimated 1.1 million U.S. citizens married to an undocumented immigrant. Our laws are supposed to provide U.S. citizens an opportunity to sponsor their noncitizen family members, but our outdated immigration system includes many categorical bars that prevent spouses from obtaining status. These families live in fear that their loved ones may be deported at any time,” said Senator Durbin. They were joined by leaders from business, labor, and American families of mixed citizenship status, collectively urging President Biden to grant spousal visas and work permits for long term undocumented U.S residents.
