On June 27, the U.S. Senate voted 68-32 to pass Senate Bill 744, the most significant overhaul of our nation’s immigration laws in a generation. It marks a monumental step toward finally restoring a fair immigration process that preserves our core American values: keep families together, honor hard work that contributes to our economy, and level the playing field for businesses that follow the rules.
This bill is currently in the House of Representatives. SEIU Local 99 members have been taking action to support commonsense immigration reform. On July 9, we rallied with a coalition of immigrant rights organizations, community groups, labor unions, and other concerned Americans to urge the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to join the rest of America and support a pathway to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans.
Highlights of the Senate-Backed legislation:
- A path to citizenship for a vast majority of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
- Immigrants can work, travel, and live without fear of deportation while in Registered Provisional Immigrant status.
- A five year path to citizenship for Dreamers (undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children)
- Reunification of families separated by deportation
- Immigrants on the path to citizenship can make payment installment for fees.
Click here to read more about the Senate Bill and SEIU’s role in immigration reform.
We’re Making a Difference:
SEIU members played an important role in helping move immigration legislation in the Senate. For nearly a decade, we have made our voices heard, lobbied legislators, signed petitions, rallied, voted, and remained strong and committed to justice for immigrant workers.
 SEIU Local 99 members joined with faith and community groups calling for immigration reform on June 15 as part of the Nuns on the Bus Tour. |
In the days leading up to the Senate vote, Local 99 members joined the national Nuns on the Bus Tour at their stop in Bakersfield. We stood with churches, community organizations, other labor unions, and many concerned Americans to call for justice and equality for millions of working people. |
 SEIU 99 Members Linda Ginn and Evelia Palmero (Retiree) take action with SEIU State Council Representative Jared Rivera in front of Congressman Royce’s office on July 2. |
With the bill now in the House of Representatives, Local 99 members were part of a lobby visit to Congressman Ed Royce’s office. “We are asking you to support immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship now,” Local 99 Member Linda Ginn told the Congressman. “Your support speaks to the importance you have for the families who belong to this district.” |
Join us! Sign up to join our movement to restore American values to our immigraton system . Click here
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Why we support commonsense immigration reform:
Our country needs immigration laws that will grow our economy, raise wages and labor protections for all workers, and strengthen our families and communities. We support legislation that includes:
- A road map to citizenship so that immigrants who work hard and aspire to become citizens are not relegated to second-class status.
- A plan that builds the strength and unity of working people.
- A plan that reduces the backlog of immigration cases so that families can be reunited without long waiting periods.
- A plan that prioritizes families; guarantees the same rights, obligations, and basic fairness for all workers, no matter where they come from.
- A plan that keeps businesses competitive.
- A plan that ensures internal and border law enforcement that focuses on preventing drug cartels and other bad actors from entering the U.S. or engaging in criminal activities.
Our support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform is based on the very principles that make our country great:
All Americans come from diverse backgrounds. Out of many cultures, we are a nation of people united in our values: the spirit of hard work, fairness, equality and justice for all.
Our nation was founded upon the very powerful idea that in this land, all people have rights. No matter what you look like or where you came from, everyone should get a fair shot at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The way that we treat new immigrants should reflect these values that we hold dear as Americans.
New immigrants have always contributed to our communities, our society and our economy. We are all the better for the contributions of these hardworking women and men who are caring for our children and grandparents, supporting local businesses and even serving in our military.
Women and men have always come to America for an opportunity to have a good job, escape political or religious persecution in their own land and make a better life for their families. As Americans we respect that because we believe that families should stick together, that we should look out for each other, and that hard work should be rewarded. What makes you American is how you live your life and what you do—not what you look like or where you come from.
