Lawmakers from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have written to the president to show their support for the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act.
In fact, if they have their way, the Act will be prioritized in the second part of the American Families Plan once it is put into action.
What’s the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act about?
Immigrants to this country — particularly those who are undocumented — have long had a history of taking on jobs that are considered too arduous or dangerous to perform by those who have other options.
As such, there are roughly 5.2 undocumented immigrants working in this country in high-risk jobs that are considered essential to this nation’s social structure. The Citizenship for Essential Workers Act would acknowledge the fact that these undocumented immigrants should be rewarded for their risk.
If the legislation is made law, undocumented workers who are deemed “essential workers,” including those who work in health care, agriculture, child care, emergency response, food service, domestic work or the transportation industry, would all be eligible to apply for citizenship.
The logic of this is simple and pure: These workers are already valuable, contributing members of society in the United States — so they should be granted the same rights as legal citizens and not have to toil under the fear of deportation.
It’s too early to say for certain if the Act will ever come into being — nor exactly what shape it will take if it does. But there is new hope on the horizon for many immigrants who want to change their status. This is yet another reminder, however, that we live in changing times: If you’re an immigrant, you need an attorney to protect your interests.
