Feb 19 –– Last week, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA). SALDEF welcomes the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 as a notable shift in the treatment and inclusion of immigrants into the fabric of the nation.
“From changing every instance of the term ‘alien’ to ‘noncitizen’ in immigration laws to preventing immigrant bans on the basis of religion, this bill paves the way for America to once again become a safe haven for immigrants,” Kiran Kaur Gill, Executive Director of SALDEF, stated. “At a time where the number of Sikh refugees and asylum seekers are on the rise due to the human rights violations taking place in India, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 justly establishes a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants from all backgrounds, including our very own. In particular, this bill raises the cap on U visas from 10,000 to 30,000, reforms policies that have kept families apart, and provides dependents of H1-B visa holders work authorization.”
The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 also addresses some of the systemic issues that previously backlogged the immigration system. This bill improves courts by providing additional training to immigration judges and provides additional funding for school districts that educate unaccompanied minors. Unfortunately, current legislation neither addresses barriers to religious accommodations at immigrant detention centers nor acknowledges the lack of immediate healthcare access for immigrants amidst the ongoing pandemic. However, SALDEF, in collaboration with our partner organizations, allies on Capitol Hill, and sangat across the country, is committed to advocating on behalf of these issues. SALDEF urges Congress to further strengthen the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and ultimately pass this bill.