Padilla: Include Immigration Reform In Budget Reconciliation Package – MyMotherLode.com
Alex Padilla
As Senate Democrats move forward on the budget reconciliation process, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Budget Committee and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, continued to make the case for the inclusion of immigration reform measures to his colleagues and to the Senate parliamentarian.
Padilla was Thursdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:
Madam President, I rise to speak on the Budget Resolution that will soon come before us, and the opportunity it represents to finally provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of our neighbors, friends, and family members.
I rise today on behalf of the people who are the subject of our immigration debate.
The immigrants who have lived and worked in communities throughout the United States for yearssometimes decadeswhile stuck in the limbo Congress created.
Our nation depends on the labor of immigrants.
There has been bipartisan agreement on this for generations.
But while our nation depends on the labor of immigrants, we do not provide the pathways to citizenship that these individuals and their families have earned. Today, we stand on the brink of a historic opportunity to adopt long-overdue reforms to our immigration system.
I rise to share just a few stories of the people on whom our nation depends and for whom we need to act.
In May, I had the honor of welcoming Rose Tilus to testify before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, which I chair. Rose was born in Haiti, but fled gang violence and political instability at the age of 17. Alone, in an unfamiliar country, she dreamed of becoming a nurse.
But Roses immigration status kept that dream out of reach. For ten years, she sustained herself working as a housekeeper and as a babysitter. Roses life changed in 2010, when a devastating earthquake in Haiti allowed her to obtain a work permit under a program called Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. She seized this opportunity to return to school and fulfill her dream of becoming a nurseserving and caring for others in nursing homes, hospitals, and community health centers.
While Roses story is the story of the American dream her legal status in our country is all too temporary.
Our nations economy has always depended on the dreams, the dedication, and the contributions of immigrants.
No state knows this better than California, the fifth largest economy in the world, where nearly a quarter of Americas immigrants live and call home. Immigrants make up 27% of Californias population, and they are essential to our success in every industry.
From farmworkers in the Central Valley to tech innovators in Silicon Valley.
From construction and domestic workers to nurses and teachers.
In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our country has relied even more on the essential work of immigrants. More than 5 million undocumented workers have held jobs that the federal government deems essential during the pandemic.
TPS-holders like Rose care for our loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes.
DACA recipients like Erika Henriquez, a medical assistant, help to distribute COVID tests and life-saving vaccines.
Farmworkers like Vicente Reyes and his parents show up to work every day to keep grocery store shelves stocked and put food on our tables.
As has been the case since the founding of our nation, immigrants are serving at the heart of the American story.
An overwhelming, bipartisan majority knows that people like Rose, Erika, and Vicente have earned the right to live here without fear of deportation. 70% of Americans support creating a pathway to citizenship for TPS holders, Dreamers, and farmworkers. That includes a majority of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
Colleagues, right now, we have an opportunity to provide stability and security for the very workforce that the Department of Homeland Security, beginning with the Trump Administration, has deemed essential to our nations economy and security. As we write a reconciliation bill to create an equitable and sustainable economic recovery, we must include immigration reform.
We have strong arguments and precedent from this very body in our corner.
The logic is simple.
Providing a pathway to citizenship is a direct government action, not some carrot and stick approach involving private businesses and private actors. Newly eligible immigrants would pay fees directly to the U.S. Government as part of this direct government action, which would then be processed by government employees. Every step of this process involves direct government action and direct government revenues, expenditures, and personnel. And by expanding pathways to citizenship, we will grow our economy and improve workplaces for all.
Thats precisely the spirit and intent of the infrastructure investments that we are developing as part of the budget reconciliation bill.
Research by the Center for American Progress shows that providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and other essential workers will boost GDP by $1.5 trillion over 10 years. It will raise wages for all American workers. It will create over 400,000 new jobs. And it will generate billions of dollars of spending and tax revenue, fueling our economic recovery.
Madam President, we have more than an opportunitywe have an obligation to pass meaningful immigration reform as part of the upcoming reconciliation bill.
For Rose, Erika, and Vicente.
For the millions of essential workers and long-term residents who lack permanent status.
For the bipartisan majority of Americans who support reform for their immigrant friends, families, and neighbors.
And for every one of our constituentsbecause ALL Americans will see the economic benefits of immigration reform.
Seora Presidente, hoy no solo tenemos una oportunidad, tenemos una obligacin de tomar accin e incluir un camino a la ciudadana para inmigrantes en el proyecto de ley de reconciliacin.
Para los millones de trabajadores esenciales y miembros de nuestras comunidades que aun buscan la residencia permanente.
Para la mayora bipartidista de estadounidenses que apoyan estas reformas para sus familias, amigos y vecinos inmigrantes.
Y para todas nuestras comunidades, porque TODOS los estadounidenses vern los beneficios econmicos de estas reformas migratorias.
Madam President, I recently met with President Biden in the Oval Office to discuss Californias immigration needs. Im thankful for President Biden and Vice President Harriss unequivocal support for including immigration reforms in the budget reconciliation process. We have an opportunity and responsibility to bring security to millions of essential workers and their families.
I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the essential work and economic contributions of immigrantsby opening their pathway to citizenship, and the American Dream.
The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Written by Mark Truppner.
Report breaking news, traffic or weather to our News Hotline 532-6397. Send Mother Lode News Story photos tonews@clarkebroadcasting.com. Sign up for our FREE myMotherLode.com Daily Newsletters by clicking here.
Originally posted here:
Padilla: Include Immigration Reform In Budget Reconciliation Package - MyMotherLode.com
- Can a lawmaker be fully MAGA and still push for immigration reform? Meet Maria Elvira Salazar - Newsweek - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Carbajal Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill in U.S. House of Representatives - The Santa Barbara Independent - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Fox host Brian Kilmeade: "The border sealed, it could allow maybe moving forward on immigration reform" - Media Matters for America - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Why Some Republicans Say Now Is The Time For Immigration Reform - FOX News Radio - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Bipartisan immigration reform bill aims to provide earned opportunity to stay here and work - McKnight's Senior Living - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Don Bacon defends vote on Big Beautiful Bill, talks immigration reform during town hall - Kearney Hub - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Gillen Backs Immigration Reform Bill - Long Island Life & Politics - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans has joined latest immigration reform attempt. Will it succeed as enforcement surges? - The Denver Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Don Bacon defends vote on Big Beautiful Bill, talks immigration reform during town hall - Omaha World-Herald - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Letters to the Editor: Meaningful immigration reform must come from both sides of the aisle - Los Angeles Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Press Release: Carbajal Co-Leads Reintroduction of Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill - Quiver Quantitative - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Bennet has battled for immigration reform for years but critical issue remains deeply politicized in U.S. - Real Vail - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Bipartisan immigration reform package? Some California lawmakers back it, but will Congress pass it? - The Daily Gazette - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Community Leaders Rally in Indio Demanding Immigration Reform, Better Treatment for Detained Families - NBC Palm Springs - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Lawmakers bring immigration reform bill back to allow them to stay - yourcentralvalley.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Letters to the Editor: Democrats missed the chance to pass immigration reform years ago - Los Angeles Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Bipartisan Immigration Reform Act Introduced to Congress - The Well News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trumps Immigration Reform Opportunity - The Wall Street Journal - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Press Release: Reps. Lawler, Salazar, and Escobar Unveil Bipartisan DIGNITY Act to Address Immigration Reform - Quiver Quantitative - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- The time is right for common sense immigration reform - The Independent Record - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Bipartisan Group of Legislators Keep Dream of Immigration Reform Alive with Reintroduced 'DIGNIDAD' Act - American Immigration Council - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- What is the Dignity Act? Congress reintroduces bipartisan immigration reform bill - NBC 6 South Florida - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- 'Do you like mass deportations, Grok?' Controversial AI Chatbot Talks Immigration Reform With Professor L. Ali Khan - JURIST Legal News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Press Release: Gabe Evans and Maria Salazar Introduce Bipartisan Dignity Act for Immigration Reform - Quiver Quantitative - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- The Solution to Trumps Immigration Debacle? Immigration Reform - The Well News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- CER Podcast: Unpacking Europe: Immigration reform in the UK - Centre for European Reform - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Condemns ICE Raid on Local Business, Calls for Humane Immigration Reform - wehotimes.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- A Path Forward on Immigration Reform That Strengthens America - GV Wire - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Weighing in on Trump's promise of immigration reform - Hortidaily - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Immigration Reform for Meat Processors and More Ag Input for MAHA - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Changes Proposed by the Governments White Paper on Immigration Reform | White Paper - Freeths - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Border congressman: Arresting criminal aliens is the first step in immigration reform - Dallas News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Jose Antonio Vargas on What We Get Wrong About Immigration Reform - American Civil Liberties Union - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- This situation is not worthy of a great nation: Los Angeles archbishop calls for immigration reform - CatholicVote org - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Arnold Schwarzenegger Blames Both Parties, Lack Of Immigration Reform For ICE Raids - The Daily Wire - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Not going to stop: Immigration Reform group meets in Fresno - yourcentralvalley.com - June 1st, 2025 [June 1st, 2025]
- State Representative Kasey Carpenter on Immigration Reform - Georgia Public Broadcasting - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Trump can go down in history by pushing immigration reform | Opinion - Fresno Bee - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Bishop urges government to reconsider immigration reform - The Tablet - May 30th, 2025 [May 30th, 2025]
- Whatever Happened to Bipartisan Immigration Reform? - Newsweek - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK Immigration Reform 2025: Key Changes and Business Impacts - Watson Farley & Williams - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV Raises Hopes for Immigration Reform in Arizona - Hoodline - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK: Government publishes proposal for major immigration reform Work ban forcing some female asylum applicants into sex work New evidence of violence... - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- UK Immigration Reform deeper restrictions on the horizon - Charles Russell Speechlys - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Argentina's immigration reform to be discussed at Mercosur meeting - H2FOZ - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party is riding high in the polls - IslanderNews.com - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Thailand Immigration Reform Planned as Bangkok Proposes New Interior Ministry Department to Reshape Policy for Travelers, Expats, Refugees - Travel... - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Critical Point: Industry Works Toward Immigration Reform - Thoroughbred Daily News - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Horse Racing Industry Urges Action On Immigration Reform To Address Labor Shortages - Paulick Report - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- We Needed a New President, Not Comprehensive Immigration Reform - The Daily Signal - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- May Day marches across U.S. demand workers rights, immigration reform, and economic justice - AP News - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Canada Takes Bold Steps Towards Immigration Reform By Setting New Caps For Permanent And Temporary Residents And Introducing Changes That Will... - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Failure on immigration reform comes at a high cost for Texas, San Antonio - San Antonio Express-News - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- DHS closes office that advocated for migrants calling it a roadblock to immigration reform - The Independent - March 25th, 2025 [March 25th, 2025]
- Construction industry braces for higher costs due to tariffs and immigration reform - KGW.com - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Democrats aim to reverse Floridas illegal immigration reform with new legislation - WFLA - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Callously deporting longtime U.S. residents is yet another failure of Trumps immigration reform efforts | Editorial - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Who Is Jeanette Vizguerra? ICE Arrests Immigration Reform Activist And Undocumented Mother - Times Now - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Demonstrators gather in south Omaha to protest immigration reform - Nebraska News Service - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Catholic Bishops Along the US-Mexico Border Advocate for Immigration Reform - Mwakilishi.com - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Letter: Comprehensive immigration reform is needed - Quad-City Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Media Advisory: FAIR, Sheriffs and State Legislators to Hold D.C. Press Conference Urging Border Security Funding and Immigration Reform - PR Newswire - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Immigration Reform Would Benefit Wisconsin Farmers - Exponent - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- OK, No Immigration Reform (But Lets Use The Laws Already On The Books) - A Groundbreaking Examination of U.S. Immigration Policies by Veteran Lawyer... - February 20th, 2025 [February 20th, 2025]
- Legislators Analise Ortiz, Katherine Maranda and Casar Aguilar call for immigration reform - Yahoo - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Its well past time for U.S. immigration reform (again) - Angelus News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Protestors take to the streets to call for immigration reform in Los Angeles - uscannenbergmedia.com - February 9th, 2025 [February 9th, 2025]
- Archbishop Prez on the Need for Balanced, Compassionate, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform - CatholicPhilly.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Bishops across US defend migrants, calling for immigration reform in justice and mercy - Our Sunday Visitor - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Card aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Power to the people: governor, legislators want voters to weigh in on immigration reform - Central Florida Public Media (previously WMFE) - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Florida lawmakers file extensive immigration reform bills ahead of special session - WJXT News4JAX - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Executive Orders Are a Good Start, But We Need Lasting Immigration Reform. Here's Where to Start | Opinion - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Project Red Cards aims to ease concerns over Trump immigration reform in Latino communities - WCNC.com - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- David Reel: Addressing border security and immigration reform - Broad + Liberty - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- NMPF hoping for caution on immigration reform - Agri-News - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- DOJ Letter Bolsters Drummond Appeal of Injunction Against State Immigration Reform Law - Ponca City Now - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Emotional Selena Gomez breaks down in tears, vows to support immigration reform amid deportation policies - AS USA - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'El Norte' Director Says His 1983 Sundance Classic on Immigration Reform Is 'More Relevant Today' | Video - TheWrap - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Chicago mayor reiterates opposition to incoming Trump admin's immigration reform - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]