Nationwide –– Last night, the Senate Parliamentarian issued their first ruling against the inclusion of key immigrant legalization provisions in the budget reconciliation process. In addition, at this time the parliamentarian has not ruled on key family immigration and visa provisions which are expected to be evaluated in the Budget Reconciliation process. The fight continues. This was one of several key strategies to ensure the passage of legalization of essential workers, TPS holders, DACA & DED recipients.

The Value Our Families Coalition issued the following statement:

“A recommendation from an unelected parliamentarian cannot seal the fate of millions of immigrants fighting to reunite with their families. We are extremely disappointed but undeterred in our fight for family immigration and a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants.

This first ruling places an additional barrier to justice for immigrant communities, but does not signify that the immigration reform battle is over. Far from it.

Democrats must now do everything in their power to make sure immigration reform gets its day. Congressional immigration champions and immigrant advocates are preparing to submit alternative proposals that reconfigure key details to ensure passage and inclusion in the budget. We remain confident in our allies’ ability to find new solutions that will provide a pathway to citizenship for millions and fix the immigration backlog for millions more.

Furthermore, the parliamentarian has yet to rule on key visa and family immigration provisions. We remain undeterred and focused on the continued fight for full inclusion of all immigrants.

Immigration reform is supported by a majority of Americans and now more than ever, we must demonstrate to the world that we can fix broken systems and move forward a humane approach for family reunification.

The stakes are high, but we’ve been here before. Now is the time to draw from the courage of our immigrant families that gave up so much for us to fight for a brighter future.”

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