Ramirez, Global Migration Caucus Co-chairs, Colleagues Introduce Migration Stability Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez, co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration, joined caucus co-chairs Reps. Greg Casar (TX-35) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and colleagues Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Juan Vargas (CA-52) to introduce a new resolution calling for comprehensive legislation to address the root causes of forced migration and displacement. The resolution also affirms the need for a true roadmap to citizenship for immigrants in the United States.

The resolution calls for comprehensive legislation that: 

• addresses U.S. policies contributing to forced migration and displacement;
• ensures a humane and sustainable immigration system that appropriately addresses the root causes driving migration; and
• affirms the need for a true roadmap to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S.

“Climate instability, democratic backsliding, economic exclusion, sanctions, and human rights violations are just some of the conditions driving unprecedented levels of global displacement and migration,” said Congresswoman Ramirez, Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee and the only Congress member in a mixed-status family. “Stricter border enforcement, harsh asylum laws, and the vilification of immigrants have consistently failed us and our neighbors. Instead, we need to address how our own policies contribute to the crises and adopt a coordinated regional and global strategy to tackle the root causes of displacement.”

“Democrats can build an orderly, humane, and stable immigration system. We should create more legal pathways for migration and citizenship, while also changing the failed U.S. policies that cause displacement abroad and force people to flee their home countries,” said Congressman Casar. “Let’s tackle the climate crisis. Let’s remove broad-based sanctions that increase poverty. Let’s prioritize policies to support stability abroad while creating a welcoming and predictable immigration process at home.”

“Republicans’ dangerous rhetoric about immigration endangers our immigrant communities and completely ignores the root causes of migration,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “Migration is not just a border issue but a foreign policy issue. With migration on the rise worldwide and conflict, food insecurity, climate change, and political violence driving immigration to the U.S., it’s imperative that we reshape our immigration policy to address these global crises. This resolution calls upon Congress to do just that.”

“Over the past decades, millions of people have been forced to migrate from their homes—and more people are displaced now than ever before. This is the result of converging crises, including climate change, political instability, and violence, some of which are impacted by U.S. policy,” said Rep. García. “Yet, our immigration and asylum policies have become more restrictive and punitive, disregarding the role our government has played in creating this crisis. It’s time we acknowledge the ways in which U.S. policy has contributed to forced migration and displacement, and advance reforms that address the root causes of migration.”

“Too many people around the world face violence, poverty, and persecution and see the United States as a beacon of hope,” said Rep. Jayapal. “We must make the immigration system more humane, more orderly, and more effective to welcome immigrants who come to this country rather than turn them away and to recognize not only the contributions they make to this country, but also the moral duty we have to protect people who come here fleeing horrible conditions. We can and must do better for immigrants.”

“It’s past time for comprehensive immigration reform. And a critical piece to this is addressing the factors that force families to flee their home countries in the first place,” said Rep. Vargas. “From combating climate change to humanitarian assistance, we need to implement productive policies that address the root causes of forced migration and displacement, while also working to restore faith in our legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship.”

Over the last few weeks, MAGA Republicans have fabricated xenophobic and racist stories about Haitian immigrant families, adding to a long track record of perpetuating false narratives, conspiracy theories, and racist tropes. This MAGA rhetoric has incited physical violence against many migrant families. Now more than ever, it is important to emphasize the value migrants bring to our communities and to call for policies that will make our immigration system more stable and humane.  

 The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), André Carson (IN-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Grace Napolitano (CA-31), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07). 

It is endorsed by ActionAid USA, Ayudemos por una vida mas digna, Border Vigil of Eagle Pass, CASA, Center for Economic Policy and Research, Center for International Policy, Climate Refugees, Eagle Pass Border Coalition, Global Exchange, Justice is Global, Mira Feminisms and Democracies, Movimiento de los pueblos por la paz y la justicia y México negro ac, National Immigrant Justice Center, National Immigration Project, OXFAM America, Public Citizen, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team, Transnational Villages Network/Red de Pueblos, United We Dream, and Win Without War.

The resolution text can be found HERE.

 BACKGROUND: 

Since coming to Congress, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez has worked for comprehensive immigration reform that provides an orderly, humane pathway toward citizenship for asylum seekers, Dreamers, and undocumented migrants in the United States while addressing the root causes of global displacement. After visiting the border, Guatemala, Honduras, the Darien Gap, and other places in Latin America, Congresswoman Ramirez led Congressman Greg Casar, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and 21 members of Congress to launch the Congressional Caucus on Global Migration. The Caucus is the first of its type in Congress and aims to find effective, long-term solutions to humanely address irregular and forced migration around the world. In specific, the caucus will position Congress as an effective ally in building the political will to:

• advance regional and global collaboration; and
• establish partnerships with local and grassroots leaders needed to realize effective, orderly, and humane migration management.