Yesterday, Thursday, February 18, 2021, Rep. Linda Sanchez of California and Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which if passed, would provide an eight-year citizenship path to over 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

In response, President Joe Biden reiterated that the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 is part of his administration’s commitment to modernize the current flawed immigration system and provide a clear roadmap to citizenship for undocumented individuals. The proposed bill will not only, “restore humanity and American values to our immigration system,” but also “[provide] hardworking people who enrich our communities every day and who have lived here for years, in some cases for decades, an opportunity to earn citizenship,” according to the Biden Administration.

“The bill will stimulate our economy while ensuring that every worker is protected. The bill creates an earned path of citizenship for our immigrant neighbors, colleagues, parishioners, community leaders, friends, and loved ones – including Dreamers and the essential workers who have risked their lives to serve and protect American communities,” as noted on The White House official website.  

“We applaud the action of congress members Representative Linda Sanchez and Senator Bob Menendez for their vision in bringing justice to the American dream for so many of our brothers and sisters,” said Richard Zaldivar, executive director of The Wall Las Memorias. “This legislation will help our country heal from the suffering of the past and help provide clarity to live the American dream.”

Under the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, modernization of the current U.S. Immigration System would include clearer pathways to citizenship and strengthened labor protections, prioritization of smarter border controls, and addressing root causes of migration.

Statement by The Wall Las Memorias (TWLM)