In response to today’s introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean issued the following statement:
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center welcomes today’s introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act and joins with immigrant rights advocates and organizations in urging Congress to pass this critical immigration reform legislation.
“We all deserve an immigration system that reflects the promise of America. After years of bigoted immigration policies that have threatened the lives of countless LGBT asylum seekers and refugees—many of whom face violence and possible death in their home countries—the U.S. Citizenship Act will move our nation forward with fairness and justice, ensuring that all immigrants, including LGBT people, can find the safety and hope they deserve in this country.
“This legislation provides a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million immigrants, including almost 300,000 LGBT people. It also includes legal protection and a path to citizenship for an estimated 81,000 LGBT Dreamers in the U.S., including 39,000 who have participated in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. More than numbers, this fight is about the lives of our families and friends, neighbors and coworkers.
“Today’s announcements of the U.S. Citizenship Act and the Equality Act signal the promise of a brighter future for America, a future where equity and equality rule the day. We must do all we can to ensure that both pieces of today’s historic legislation become the law of the land and fulfill their promise.”
You can take action now to help pass important legislation, like the U.S. Citizenship Act, as part of the Center’s Resistance Squad. For more information on current actions and to sign up, visit lalgbtcenter.org/resist