California congresswoman, Linda Sanchez has selected seven women to lead the efforts to get President Joe Biden’s immigration legislation passed in the House of Representatives.
According to Biden’s plan, the 11 million immigrants – currently residing in America – will have the opportunity to obtain citizenship in 8 years.
The process for citizenship will be shorter for participants of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program and agriculture workers. A strategy to enforce these policies will be implemented soon.
The group of congresswomen, known as the ‘Closers’ now, include Reps. Karen Bass, D-Calif, Nydia Valazquez, D-NY, Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif, Judy Chu, D-Calif, Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif, and Yvette Clarke, D-Calif.
According to Sanchez, these women were selected because they have previous work experience in immigration. Moreover, several of them also represent communities that have a large population of migrants.
The Chu represents Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and has previously handled several immigration issues, especially concerning Pacific Islanders and Asian migrants. Roybal-Allard serves California’s 40th Congressional District, where the largest population of individuals eligible for DACA reside.
Bass and Clarke also have previous experience in dealing with immigration-related issues while working with the CBC.
Clarke recently stated that she has witnessed civil rights violations and extreme Inequalities, and she will do everything – she can – to ensure that the current immigration system is improved.
These lawmakers were also selected because they represent all caucuses, including, Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific American.
In addition to the immigration legislation, the congresswomen will attempt to implement the provisions of the legislation that has already been approved by the House, including the No Ban Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will help improve the visa process for agriculture workers, ensuring there is a clear process in place for the Agricultural and farmworkers to become legalized citizens of the US.
The No Ban Act will revoke Trump’s travel ban, aimed at religious discrimination. The major purpose of this bill is to streamline the visa application process for those who want to visit the country.
Republican Senators have criticized Biden’s immigration policy. One of the challenges – these lawmakers face – is convincing the Republicans to cooperate with them in devising legislation that will be approved by both the Congress and the Senate.
