Thread by @NILC

🚨HAPPENING NOW: @MarielenaNILC is testifying before @HouseJudiciary.

Join us as we live tweet — we'll be here to remind you that #ImmigrantsAreEssential & that we need bold immigration reforms, starting with a path to citizenship.

📺TUNE IN HERE: ow.ly/mNcw50Dw2ue

“It is estimated that 3 in 4 undocumented workers are engaged in work that is deemed essential.” -@RepJerryNadler

#ImmigrantsAreEssential

“I am here today because my parents moved from Colombia to work in Rhode Island’s textile factories to give their 10 children better opportunities.” -@MarielenaNILC

It’s simple: regardless of where we were born, the color of our skin, or how much money we have — we all should have the freedom to thrive.

.@MarielenaNILC: “I want to tell you about Dr. Abudu who works as a physician in California. He came to the U.S. as a teenager & is saving lives every day. Dr. Abudu says working during the pandemic is 'hell & it's heartbreaking'. Last month, one of his coworkers died of COVID.”

.@MarielenaNILC: Catherine ‘Ofa Mann, from Tonga, is educating Pacific Islander communities about COVID, while encouraging those who need it to seek care despite their fears. In her words, ‘they take care of their own. Because they heard people go to the hospital & die.’”

.@MarielenaNILC: “Saul Sanchez from Mexico lived in Colorado & worked at a meat processing plant for years, until he contracted COVID. Mr. Sanchez passed away from COVID & his family was unable to tell him they loved him before he took his last breath.” #ImmigrantsAreEssential

Whether it’s access to affordable health care, nutrition assistance for children, or financial aid for college, our basic human needs should not be put on hold based on our immigration status.

“We call on members of Congress to support the swift passage of bold, inclusive bills that will provide a path to citizenship w/out punitive provisions. Congress must also recognize essential workers & place them on a fast track to citizenship.” -@MarielenaNILC

“I believe strongly that immigrants are a crucial part of our nation, working on the frontlines of COVID19, contributing their skills and talents to their communities every single day.” -@RepJayapal

#ImmigrantsAreEssential

.@MarielenaNILC: "Deportation is a one size fits all punishment that is unnecessarily cruel and costly both economically and on a human level."

“It’s been undocumented immigrants who have continued to work in the fields, harvesting our crops, processing our food — farmworkers, sanitation workers, teachers, child care workers who have kept us alive.” -@RepLouCorrea

#ImmigrantsAreEssential

.@MarielenaNILC: "Family reunification must be at the core of all of our immigration policies. We need to make sure that our families are not only not separated by immigration polices, but actually that we are reuniting families."

"We at NILC have had the honor of representing courageous DACA recipients all the way up to the Supreme Court. But #DACA is a temporary reprieve from deportation. We need Congress to pass the #DreamAct swiftly so they can become citizens as soon as possible." -@MarielenaNILC