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“We had pushback from Democrats, from Republicans. In the Democrats, that this was not good enough, in the Republicans, that they didn’t want people like me to have an education,” Montoya, a leader of the Aliento organization, told Menendez. “Democrats and Republicans came together, those who were willing to put solutions forward, and right now Congress can do the same.”
“We make the impossible possible, because we listen to the voices of Dreamers, and we listen to their leadership, and not only their stories,” Montoya continued.
Young immigrants, as well as Democratic leaders, have been urging action now before Republicans take slim control of the House in January. Kevin McCarthy, the power-hungry California Republican colluding with the likes of the deplorable Marjorie Taylor Greene in order to win enough votes to become speaker, has already said that no humane immigration legislation will pass if he gets the gavel.
The Dream and Promise Act (along with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act) already passed the U.S. House this term and will soon expire. But 10 Republicans have not stepped up to overcome the Jim Crow filibuster in the Senate. “Even if there’s no floor vote on a standalone immigration bill, it’s possible that a smaller-scale proposal could get tucked into an end-of-the-year spending package,” Politico reports.
Election 2022 is officially in overtime, with a Georgia Runoff. We must get out every last Democratic voter for Raphael Warnock. Click here to volunteer in whatever way possible you can.
Farmworkers from nearly a dozen states have also rallied in Washington, D.C. to call for relief during the lame duck session.
“Despite all the backbreaking work, the blisters and pain we face, farm workers put so much effort into ensuring that we all have our fruits and vegetables on our tables,” said Arizona farmworker Maria Yolanda Bay. “I am going to Washington D.C. because farm workers deserve legal status. We work so hard for this country.”
“In Arizona we have transformed trauma into hope and action,” Montoya tweeted following her appearance on MSNBC. “We’ve changed hearts and minds. I hope our nation is inspired by our youth! Forever grateful for everyone who supported our efforts @AlientoAZ. Prop 308 was possible because we listed to the strategy of our youth.” Let’s not forget that young immigrants won the DACA program in 2012 through their activism.
Want to take action to help young undocumented immigrants like Reyna? The Home Is Here campaign has set up a homepage with options ranging from calling Congress, to joining an event near you. Click here to support permanent relief for young undocumented immigrants.
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We're now in the second week of election overtime and there are still plenty of major races yet to be decided—as well as tons more great news for Democrats to exult over on this week's episode of The Downballot. On the uncalled races front, co-hosts David Nir and David Beard dive into a pair of House races in California and several legislatures that could flip from red to blue, including the Pennsylvania House. Speaking of legislatures, the Davids also go deep on what the astonishing flips in Michigan will mean for progressives and particularly organized labor.
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