FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 20
Contact: Cory Fischer
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202-524-0651

Bend the Arc statement on parliamentarian’s initial ruling on pathway to citizenship: “We are not deterred”
Democrats must move forward to deliver on popular support for citizenship for millions

WASHINGTON – Bend the Arc: Jewish Action released the following statement on Monday in response to the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling that, as it is currently written, a pathway to citizenship does not meet the “Byrd Rule” in budget reconciliation:

“A pathway to citizenship that ensures millions of immigrants and their families can work without fear of deportation, detention, and family separation is long overdue,” said Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, Washington Director of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action. “Like millions of immigrants who have given so much to our country, we are not deterred and we will keep fighting for Congress to deliver this year.”

“Tonight, Jews around the world will mark the beginning of the holiday of Sukkot, a holiday that recalls our ancestors’ migration through the wilderness from enslavement to the promised land. While the journey to secure immigrant justice in this country is winding, we have faith that we will succeed in creating a society that truly welcomes those who seek to build their lives here.”

“Democrats in Congress have promised to move forward with an alternate approach to providing a pathway to citizenship in the budget process, and our movement will hold them to that promise. We elected them into the majority and the White House, and we expect them to use every ounce of their power to keep their promise and win citizenship for millions of our immigrant family.”

Bend the Arc: Jewish Action is uniting a movement of tens of thousands of progressive Jews across the country who are fighting for justice and equality for all. We are the only national Jewish organization focused exclusively on social change in the United States.

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