Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on President Biden’s Immigration Relief Announcement

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement:

“Since coming to office in 2023, I have consistently called for executive and congressional action to protect Dreamers and to provide relief to long-term undocumented immigrants across the nation. As the only member of Congress in a mixed-status family, the work to keep families and communities together is deeply personal.

Today, President Biden proved he could be the President we elected by providing relief to thousands of mixed-status families, like mine, and Dreamers, like my husband Boris Hernandez. While many of us hoped that the action would be more expansive, today’s action is the most significant positive policy change for immigrants and their families since the DACA program in 2012. It would not have been possible without the advocates who have relentlessly fought to realize this moment. Now, we must build upon this historic win and provide urgent relief to the broader immigrant community, protect asylum, deliver work permits for all, and expand pathways to citizenship. I am committed to fighting for congressional action to realize comprehensive immigration reform and to work with President Biden and his administration to protect all members of our communities - regardless of documentation - through just, humane immigration solutions.”

BACKGROUND

As the proud daughter of immigrants, the wife of a Dreamer, representative of IL-03, and the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez has worked tirelessly to humanely address immigration, bring resources back to the district and has stood against the scapegoating of immigrant communities throughout her time in Congress.

• Congresswoman Ramirez is co-leading the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
• Congresswoman Ramirez co-sponsors H.R.1698, the American Families United Act, bipartisan legislation to keep families together by granting immigration judges and officials the authority to assess the impact that family separation would have on a U.S. citizen and allow the sponsor of their spouses and children for green cards even in cases where immigration bars prohibit it.  
• In June 2023, Congresswoman Ramirez, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) co-led a letter to President Biden urging the Administration to issue paroles and expedited work permits for undocumented migrants. 
• In September 2023, Congresswoman Ramirez, joined by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (IL-D) and a broad coalition of immigrant advocates, called on President Biden to provide expedited work permits and parole in place for long-term undocumented immigrants and undocumented spouses of US citizens. 
• In November 2023, Congresswoman led colleagues of Illinois, New York, and California delegations on a congressional letter echoing the requests made by the mayors of Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City, urging the Biden Administration to deliver expanded parole and work permits for immigrants and deliver at least $5 billion in federal resources and support needed to provide shelter and essential life-saving services to asylum seekers.
• On March 2024, Congresswoman Ramirez brought Elvira Arellano, a long-time immigration activist from IL-03, as her guest for this year’s State of the Union address to urge President Biden for humane comprehensive immigration reform and executive action for immigrants, Dreamers, and mixed-status families.
• On June 14, 2024, Congresswoman Ramirez, joined by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), led 65 members of Congress on a letter to President Biden outlining a series of executive actions he should take to protect Dreamers and modernize and strengthen the DACA program, including a pathway to legal residence and work permits. 

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