I’m back from DC after serving in a delegation with organizations including Michigan United, Michigan People’s Campaign, We are Home, FIRM, etc. We went to meet with Congressional and Senate leaders to advocate for pathways to citizenship.
On the eve of our departure, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that pathways to citizenship cannot be included in budget reconciliation negotiations. This has created a major problem for our most desired outcome, that being pathways for about 8 million of the current 11 million undocumented people living in the US.
Many of these individuals have a positive preliminary immigration status as DACA recipients, people brought here while minors and without documentation, and Temporary Protected Status holders. Many of these individuals have been deemed essential by the US government for their roles as workers during the pandemic, including farmworkers.
We wanted to secure green cards and other forms of protective immigration status for this group of 8 million. That appears to be off the table because we believe that the Senate parliamentarian objects to the issuance of green cards.
We interpret this as a “substantive” ruling, in other words, a ruling on issues and questions of law that should properly go before the Senate. The Senate parliamentarian is not an elected member of the Senate. A parliamentarian provides procedural guidance, and s/he must not engage in substantive rulings. I’m learning about subsequent actions to deal with this erroneous ruling and will let you know what I find out.
We stopped in front of the ICE office at the US Department of Homeland Security during the march. We paused there to protest the detention, caging, and rampant deportations of people who call the US home. Hence the name of one of our lead organizers, “We Are Home.”
I was angered that ICE officers “guarded” the building from this peaceful group of people. About 12 officers lined up parallel to the front of the ICE office. And while we gathered as 10,000 strong and capable of overrunning them to make a point about our amassed power, we had no intention of doing so.
It seemed ridiculous to me that they would do that like we would do something illegal or dangerous or try to hurt them or the building (sound like January 6th?). It was yet one more insult added to injury. I understand the ICE officers have a duty to enforce the law, and really our beef is with the Congress, but this really seemed like overkill when so many have suffered and died while in federal custody.
As the marchers reached the top of a hill, we first saw the Rotunda of the US Capitol. Emotion waved over me, as I saw our beautiful Capitol Building reaching proudly into the sky. I felt tears blur my vision as I thought back to January 6th when angry white people, exercising a malicious sense of entitlement, waylayed that very building.
Tuesday, Sep. 27th, served as such a day of contrast for me. No one climbed on our Capitol building like a jungle gym, or smashed windows, or destroyed federal property.
The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, worked safely in her chambers without people hunting her down. Her staff was not hunkered under Pelosi’s mammoth conference table while insurrectionists could be heard outside the door wanting to know where the Speaker was. Nobody walked off with her official podium as an act of grave disrespect.
Instead, the marchers cared for one another. We passed out water bottles and chanted about equality, being united in the quest for justice. A woman fell and hurt herself, and one of our delegation leaders stayed with her until EMS arrived. We were peaceful, serious, and even joyous at times, dancing to the sounds of an awesome brass band. Bystanders stopped and cheered us on and held out their arms to flex their biceps in support of our cause. We were strong and determined, but gentle and orderly. I was struck by the dignity of this group despite the horrendous things they’ve suffered at the hands of our government.
As the tears rolled down my face, I felt inspired by the difference between January 6th — a day of infamy — and September 21st — a day marked by dignity, respect, forthright determination, and the care of one another.
This is the year that we will achieve pathways to citizenship. We continue to fight because as the chant goes, “when we fight, we win!”
Call your US Senators and demand that they vote for pathways to citizenship, vote to overrule the parliamentarian, and vote for a much better future for all of us! Click here for contact info for your 2 US Senators.
We can make this happen.
Blessings on your journey as a faith-based advocate.
