WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Linda Sánchez and Senator Bob Menendez introduced President Biden’s U.S. Citizenship Act, marking a significant step forward for the organizers and progressive movement groups who have led the fight on immigration reform. The Sunrise Movement’s Executive Director, Varshini Prakash, issued the following statement in response:

“We are proud and humbled to fight alongside the multi-racial coalition whose efforts have realized this bill that puts humanity first. Our hearts break as we hear the stories of immigrants living in fear of deportation, even as they risk their lives to serve as our community’s frontline workers during this pandemic – and we don’t forget that these are often the very people most impacted by the plight of climate change. Especially as more and more millions of people are displaced from extreme weather events alone, migrants in this country must be taken care of.

“As with President Biden’s proposals on the climate crisis, a $15 minimum wage and Covid relief, this is a good start, but introducing a bill is not enough. We must see material change before this movement can let up, feel relief and celebrate a victory. And we will continue to demand ICE and CBP be defunded and all immigrants be included in COVID-19 relief. So we ask Biden, what is your plan to deliver? And how much more heartbreak must we endure before you take the necessary steps to deliver? Congress must abolish the filibuster so the U.S. Citizenship Act is more than an empty promise.”

This post was originally published on Radio Free.