Press Conference: Wed, July 21 – 3:30 PM eastern – Senate ‘Swamp’ – US Capitol Grounds. This press conference will also be livestreamed on Facebook: facebook.com/AmericanBIC

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will join Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) along with the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, CEOs, University Presidents, Dreamers and Farm workers to advance immigration solutions in 2021. With Texas federal court decision to end DACA, group to urge for immediate immigration solutions in 2021. Legalization through bipartisanship or reconciliation must be achieved over inaction.

They will speak about the urgency of bringing certainty to Dreamers, farmworkers, TPS holders, and the businesses that depend on them at a time of nationwide labor shortages. The speakers will also address the need to respect the human dignity of those who are immigrants.

Immigrants in the U.S.:

• Earn $1.3 trillion annually
• Contribute $329 billion in local and federal taxes.
• Wield $927 billion in spending power

The press conference is part of ABIC’s Week of Action on Capitol Hill and across the country, calling for immediate action on immigration this year. The group supports bipartisan immigration solutions including the Durbin-Graham Dream Act of 2021, the Bennet-Crapo Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and the SECURE Act.

3:30 PM: Press Conference – US Capitol Grounds: Senate “Swamp”
Speakers:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY
Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-IL
Sen. Chris Coons, D-DE
Cardinal Wilton Gregory, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
Don Graham, Dream.us and Graham Holdings Chairman and CEO; ABIC Co Chair
Enrique (Dreamer), Aspiring Police Officer, Salt Lake City, Utah
Nora Venegas, Vice President, Tyson Food
Shay Myers, CEO, Owyhee Produce (largest Asparagus grower in the country
based in Oregon with operations in Washington and Idaho)
Father Dennis Holtschneider, President, Association of Catholic Colleges and
Universities
Arturo Rodriguez, United Farm Workers Chairman Emeritus
Jane Fernandes, President of Antioch College in Ohio
Todd Schulte, Fwd.us CEO
Murad Awawdeh, New York Immigration Coalition CEO
Rebecca Shi, ABIC Executive Director
Angelica Salas, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

BACKGROUND:
ABIC’s national Week of Action follows a Texas federal judge’s decision to end the DACA program and block new applicants from enrolling.

On Monday, more than 400 business and education leaders signed a letter urging Sen. Maj. Leader Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to help pass the DREAM Act.

Also on Monday, several retired Venezuelan baseball stars including Wilson Álvarez, Jesus Marcano Trillo, Giovanni Carrara, Dámaso Blanco, and Rouglas Odor sent a letter to Florida GOP Sens. Rubio and Rick Scott urging them to co-sponsor the SECURE Act, which would provide a path to permanent residency to an estimated 650,000 TPS holders, including more than 320,000 Venezuelans, most of whom live in Florida.

Farmworker Hearing
In addition to the press conference, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday at 10 AM titled “Immigrant Farmworker are Essential to Feeding America,” – Dirksen Senate Office Building – Rm 226

ABIC members who will testify:
Linnea Kooistra, Farmer, Kooistra Farms, Woodstock, IL
Shay Myers, CEO, Owyhee Produce (largest Asparagus grower in the country based
in Oregon with operations in Washington and Idaho)

  immigrants, immigration