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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2021
Contact:
Nancy Treviño, media@presente.org, (786) 201-8958
Yanci Nuñez, ynunez@alianzaamericas.org, (312) 428-5311
Biden’s first 100 days must be met with swift action
The following is a joint statement from Alianza Americas and Presente.org:
CHICAGO – Today, the Biden-Harris administration enters the White House with the opportunity to right many injustices committed by former President Trump and his GOP and corporate enablers. As organizations committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for migrant communities living in the United States and across the Americas, we are cautiously encouraged by the Biden-Harris administration’s early efforts to prioritize changes in the U.S. immigration systems and law.
“Now that the Democratic party holds power in the White House, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate, it’s imperative that the human rights of migrant communities are affirmed and upheld,” states Oscar Chacón, executive director of Alianza Americas. “Furthermore, the instalment of the Biden-Harris Administration represents the respect of the will of the people and an opportunity to strengthen the rule of law by holding white supremacists accountable for the violence they’ve inflicted on our communities and elected officials.”
“What our country witnessed over the past four years is proof that our democracy’s life support system is in desperate need of repair. It is up to the incoming Biden administration and Congress to provide stability for our nation and implement policies that provide real relief and steady support to people whose lives have been ignored and excluded for far too long,” states Matt Nelson, executive director of Presente.org. “Not the least of them have been immigrant communities. Millions of migrant families continue to struggle to survive as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, with many unable to receive federal relief support.”
Following President Biden taking the oath of office, “we urge him to immediately reestablish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and expand eligibility for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), end the Trump administration’s Remain in Mexico migration policy, halt border wall construction, and end the Muslim, Africa, and asylum bans,” Nelson said.
Additionally, we urge the Biden team to take swift action to protect migrant communities in its first 100 days by doing the following:
- Adopt a pro-migrant narrative to battle xenophobia and white nationalism
- Engage the decisive use of presidential authority to protect immigrants in vulnerable situations and to reorient the way in which current legislation is applied, including asylum law and other forms of humanitarian protection
- Commit to support the legislative proposals that are presented in Congress aimed at reforming the Immigration Policy
- Enact broad legislative reforms in the economic and social sphere that benefit low- and middle-income families, which would have a direct impact on immigrant populations residing in the United States; a reorientation in US foreign policy towards Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and the rest of Latin America
We’re hopeful that if these changes are adopted and promoted as common agenda points between Congress and the Executive Branch, we will see great benefits for immigrant communities, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean. As organizations committed to work towards the well-being and prosperity of communities across the U.S. and the Americas, we look forward to working with the newly installed Biden-Harris Administration to help fulfill the aspirations of everyone who are convinced that better days are ahead for our communities.
You can read our full, urgent policy recommendations here.
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Alianza Americas is the only transnational organization rooted in Latino immigrant communities in the United States focused on improving the quality of life of all people in the US-Mexico-Central America migration corridor. As a network of Latino and Caribbean immigrants, Alianza Americas is working for change in the U.S. while also promoting a more stable, healthy, democratic and safer conditions in the countries of origin of their members.
Presente.org is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group — and the nation’s premier Latinx digital organizing hub — advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture. Presente.org’s mission is to advance Latinx power and create winning campaigns that amplify Latinx voices; expand the political imagination and traditional boundaries; and foster inspiration for freedom, equity, and justice.
