Immigrant Youth and Allies Host Massive Canvass in Arizona in Support of a Pathway To Citizenship

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Immigrant youth and allies endured the scorching Arizona heat to talk to key Democratic voters to pressure Sens. Sinema and Kelly to support swift passage of a pathway to citizenship.

Photos and B Roll For Media (All credit to United We Dream Action and LUCHA) 

Washington, D.C. – On Sunday, United We Dream Action, LUCHA, ADAC, Corazon, We Are Home, and the Domestic Workers Alliance, joined forces in Arizona in support of a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. The canvass targeted Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and young voters in Legislative District 27 who supported Senators Sinema and Kelly in 2018 and 2020 respectively. 

The volunteers involved in the canvass included DACA recipients and other undocumented young people, as well as young and first-time voters and U.S. citizen allies. Canvassers talked to voters about the importance of ensuring a pathway to citizenship is included in the budget reconciliation bill currently being debated in Congress. They also urged voters to take action to let Senators Sinema and Kelly know that their support in future elections is dependent on the Senators commitment to ensuring swift passage of legislation providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrant youth, TPS holders, farm workers, and other essential workers. 

Yazmin Valdez, DACA recipient and member of United We Dream Action, said:

“For months, I have fought alongside immigrant youth and our allies from United We Dream Action to demand President Biden and Democrats in Congress deliver citizenship for families like mine. I was approved for DACA a month before a court in Texas ended the program for  first-time applicants. My dad, who also applied for DACA for the first time this year, was not. Tens of thousands of first-time applicants like my dad, alongside millions of other undocumented people like my mom who never qualified for DACA, continue to face the threat of deportation.  I know DACA is not enough and won’t stop fighting until everyone in my family and community is protected. Senators Sinema and Kelly must be reminded that it was Black, brown, and directly-impacted communities who mobilized millions to turn Arizona blue and deliver them seats in office. Now it’s time they use their critical role in the Senate to deliver what their constituents and the majority of Americans overwhelmingly support: Citizenship for millions!”

Jordi Santos, LUCHA Canvasser and Volunteer said

“When DACA first came out I was too young to apply. When I qualified for the program Trump rescinded DACA. Biden reinstated DACA, but then a federal judge with a swipe of the pen declared the program illegal. This highlights a major flaw in our immigration system, while DACA provides some security, it is not a permanent solution, and the next president on day one of their administration could move to end the program. My family and millions of my fellow undocumented and DACAmented members are stuck in limbo. It’s been 30 years since the last time we passed significant immigration reform. My community that rallied behind these two Senators to get them elected, now it’s their turn! We need Senators Sinema, and Kelly to stand with us and pass immigration reform, with a clear pathway to citizenship.”

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United We Dream Action is the leading national network fighting for dignity and justice led by immigrant youth and allies. We are a dynamic community of thousands of immigrant youth nationwide who build independent political power for those directly impacted by injustice. We organize and take action to win victories so that all people can be safe and thrive.