This month, we are celebrating the Senate’s important step toward forming a path to citizenship for immigrant youth, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, essential workers, and their families through the federal budget reconciliation process. Now, it’s up to the House of Representatives to finalize the budget including a path to citizenship to protect immigrant families.    

For too long, millions of immigrant families have lived in fear of deportation and separation from their families. This crisis is further illuminated by the thousands of immigrant workers on the frontlines ensuring our country’s health, safety, and food supply during the pandemic—workers who simply want a chance to pursue their own American dream. Additionally, without citizenship, Tennessee’s 10,300 DACA eligible youth must pay out of state tuition for higher education opportunities. A path to citizenship and keeping our families together will honor the contributions that immigrant workers make to our country, lessen stress on U.S. citizen children with immigrant parents, and allow individuals and families to fully participate in our state and our country. 

Take action now! Contact Representatives Cooper and Cohen through the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition to demand a path for citizenship, and join our partners at TIRRC this Wednesday, August 26th, to learn more about what’s happening with federal immigration relief.