Sign this petition re: Citizenship for essential workers

I've seen first-hand how critical essential workers are to our nation's infrastructure—they're the backbone of our society, and have kept us all fed, healthy, and safe throughout this pandemic.

Sign my petition to ask President Biden to include the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act in his plan to Build Back Better. Immigrant essential workers are doing crucial work. Immigrants are a critical part of our nation's infrastructure, and must have a pathway to citizenship now.  

Dear MoveOn member, 

I'm Senator Alex Padilla, son of working-class Mexican immigrants, and California's first Latino United States senator. Growing up, my parents selflessly did everything they could to provide for us. I couldn't even tell you how many pancakes my dad flipped or eggs he scrambled, how many houses my mom cleaned, or how many cans, cardboard boxes, and newspapers my dad gathered to recycle to bring in more money to make ends meet.

I've seen firsthand how critical essential workers are to our nation's infrastructure—they're the backbone of our society, and have kept us all fed, healthy, and safe throughout this pandemic. Over 5 million of these workers are undocumented immigrants—they are among the farmworkers, meatpackers, nurses, janitors, construction workers, grocery store clerks, truck drivers, restaurant cooks, domestic workers, home health care aides, emergency first responders, and so many others who have stepped up for our nation during this unprecedented crisis.¹

That's why my very first bill is the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for these American heroes who are citizens in every way but name and status. President Biden has a chance to recognize and reward the sacrifices and labor of essential workers in his upcoming Build Back Better legislative package, which is focused on jobs and infrastructure. We just have to make sure he hears from all of us.

Will you sign my petition to ask President Biden to prioritize the inclusion of the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act as part of the American Families Plan?

Essential workers paid a terrible toll this past year.² Their work is often physically demanding—providing food, critical care, and more for the larger community—all at low wages that compound the socioeconomic and racial disparities in our country. A path to citizenship for essential workers is a critical part of building our economy back better.

The upcoming legislative package on jobs and infrastructure is the best opportunity to recognize and reward the sacrifices and labor of essential workers. These immigrant essential workers are citizens in all but name and status—and President Biden can change that now. 

As usual, Republicans continue to refuse to advance immigration legislation supported by the overwhelming majority of the American people. In fact, a bipartisan majority of Americans agree that a path to citizenship for essential workers is the right thing to do.³

Essential workers are American heroes—and President Biden has the opportunity to provide a pathway to citizenship by supporting this important legislation now.

Click here to add your name to this petition, then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks for all you do.

–Senator Alex Padilla of California

Sources: 

1. "Immigrant Essential Workers are Crucial to America's COVID-19 Recovery," FWD.us, December 16, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/153178?t=11&akid=296105%2E10220574%2EZ85b2y

2. "The plight of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic," Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection, accessed April 21, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/153179?t=13&akid=296105%2E10220574%2EZ85b2y

3. "BIPARTISAN POLL SHOWS FAILURE TO DELIVER CITIZENSHIP WILL RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT ENTHUSIASM GAP WITH VOTERS," Data for Progress, March 23, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/153180?t=15&akid=296105%2E10220574%2EZ85b2y

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