PASSING MEANINGFUL IMMIGRATION REFORM REQUIRES ENDING THE FILIBUSTER
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
America is a country of immigrants whose presence has made us flourish economically and culturally. President Biden celebrated this on his first day in office, with his forceful repudiation of Trump’s war on immigrants.
Through executive orders and policy changes, he cancelled Trump’s travel bans; shored up DACA; rescinded the national emergency Trump used fund border walls; ended the “Stay in Mexico” program; committed to reuniting families; and imposed 100-day moratorium on deportations.
He also sent to Congress the U.S. Citizenship Act:
makes 11 million undocumented residents eligible for 5-years of temporary protected status, 3-years of green-card status, and then citizenship; while Dreamers, TPS holders, and immigrant farmworkers could receive green cards immediately,
prioritizes keeping families together and growing our economy,
manages the border with smart technology,
addresses root causes of Central American migration,
ensures America remains a refuge for those fleeing persecution,
recognizes immigrants’ humanity by replacing “alien” with “noncitizen” in all existing and future legislation.
Despite immigration reform’s widespread popularity, GOP Senators immediately panned it. With budget reconciliation (which only requires 51 votes to pass) largely unavailable, this legislation, which has not yet been formally introduced, will die in the Senate, unless the filibuster’s eliminated.
1. Call the Senate.
Script Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Senator Merkley: Thank you very much for endorsing President Biden’s ambitious plan to reform and modernize our immigration system, provide a pathway to citizenship to the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally, and ensure that we remain a refuge for those fleeing persecution. I am asking that you (1) co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Senator Menendez; (2) convince your colleagues of its importance; and (3) ensure that the filibuster, a Jim Crow relic, cannot be used to prevent its passage.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Senator Wyden: Thank you very much for endorsing President Biden’s ambitious plan to reform and modernize our immigration system, provide a pathway to citizenship to the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally, and ensure that we remain a refuge for those fleeing persecution. I am asking that you (1) co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Senator Menendez; (2) convince your colleagues of its importance; and (3) ensure that the filibuster, a Jim Crow relic, cannot be used to prevent its passage.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The vast majority of American citizens strongly believe that our immigration system needs to be reformed and modernized and that the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally to American society—many of whom live and work in your state—deserve a pathway to citizenship. Please remember that America is a country of immigrants whose presence, along with that of your ancestors, has made us flourish economically and culturally and work for the passage of the U.S. Citizenship Act.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The vast majority of American citizens strongly believe that our immigration system needs to be reformed and modernized and that the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally to American society—many of whom live and work in your district—deserve a pathway to citizenship. I am asking that you co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Representative Sanchez and work for its passage during Biden’s first 100 days in office.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The vast majority of American citizens strongly believe that our immigration system needs to be reformed and modernized and that the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally to American society—many of whom live and work in your district—deserve a pathway to citizenship. Please remember that America is a country of immigrants whose presence, along with that of your ancestors, has made us flourish economically and culturally and work for the passage of the U.S. Citizenship Act.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you very much for endorsing President Biden’s ambitious plan to reform and modernize our immigration system, provide a pathway to citizenship to the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally, and ensure that we remain a refuge for those fleeing persecution. I am asking that you co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Representative Sanchez and work for its passage during Biden’s first 100 days in office.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The vast majority of American citizens strongly believe that our immigration system needs to be reformed and modernized and that the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally to American society—many of whom live and work in your district—deserve a pathway to citizenship. I am asking that you co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Representative Sanchez and work for its passage during Biden’s first 100 days in office.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The vast majority of American citizens strongly believe that our immigration system needs to be reformed and modernized and that the millions of undocumented residents who have contributed economically and culturally to American society—many of whom live and work in your district—deserve a pathway to citizenship. I am asking that you co-sponsor the U.S. Citizenship Act when it is introduced by Representative Sanchez and work for its passage during Biden’s first 100 days in office.
Action 3 - Expand Indivisible Oregon’s reach
Want to help us expand our reach? Send the link to our Daily Actions at www.indivisibleor.org to friends and family with GOP Senators and/or Congress people and ask them to make calls. They can use Rep. Bentz's scripts for their GOP representatives.
Sources
Why Biden’s Immigration Bill Is the Boldest in Decades
Factbox: What’s in Biden’s immigration bill proposal?
The Reality Behind Biden’s Plan to Legalize 11 Million Immigrants
Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery. This country needs a good hit of it.
Senate Republicans throw cold water on Biden’s immigration proposal
