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Pathway to Citizenship for Essential Workers Now
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Please urge Congressional leadership to include a pathway to citizenship for essential workers and their families in the next recovery package!
More than 5 million undocumented immigrants are essential workers, all of whom have worked on the front lines for the past year to keep our nation and our communities safe, healthy, cared for, and fed. In carrying out their crucial work, a disproportionately large percentage of these essential workers have contracted and suffered from COVID-19.
Please tell Congress to acknowledge the contributions of these invaluable members of our communities and provide a pathway to citizenship for essential workers and their families.
Below Faith in Action Bay Area leaders Carmen and Emmanuel from Redwood City share their stories and ask that you take action today.
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Mother Carmen (right), with son Emmanuel (center), with Faith in Action Bay Area organizer Adriana (left)
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Carmen's Story
My name is Carmen Sanchez, and I live in Redwood City. I have been a leader with Faith in Action Bay Area for six years.
I operate a nursery and daycare center from my home. I am an essential worker. Throughout the pandemic, I have been caring for the children of other essential workers--doctors, nurses, and community center workers. They are able to stay calm and do their jobs, because they know that their children are safe and well-cared for with me.
We had an incident recently that made me worried for myself, my family, and the families of the children that I care for. The mother of one of the children at our daycare center told us that she had tested positive for COVID-19. I had taken care of her son only four days prior. So we notified the families and temporarily closed the daycare, in order to fully disinfect it and have everyone get tested for COVID-19. The closure completely stopped our main source of income, and our family finances were greatly affected, because we haven't received any stimulus support from the federal government. Thank God that our tests came back negative, and we were able to reopen soon! Our families were so happy, because the children missed coming to daycare, and their parents were able to return to the essential work that they also do.
It's important that my family and I have a path to citizenship. Like any other citizen, we pay our taxes in full. I want my son, Emmanuel, to have a path to citizenship also. He was a minor when I brought him to the United States. He should have all opportunities to achieve his dream of working at NASA. Unfortunately, he is not eligible for DACA, and without documents, it will be impossible for him to fulfill his dreams.
I want to ask you to support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essential workers. Like all families, we deserve stability. We build the economy, do our work efficiently, and always with much love.
Please take action and urge our legislators to support the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act.
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Emmanuel (back row, center, holding up sign) in Sacramento to support Schools & Communities First
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Emmanuel's Story
My name is Emmanuel, and I have been a Faith in Action Bay Area leader for five years, since I was a student at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. I hope that you will take action to urge Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented essentials workers and their families, including students like me who are pushing through barriers. I’m currently a student at Canada College, pursuing an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering and hoping to transfer to UC Berkeley or UC Davis.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen my classmates who are citizens entering job internships, job shadows, or hourly jobs to help out with money at home. I have been excluded from these opportunities, and it is not easy. A pathway to citizenship for essential workers like my mother, who runs a daycare center, and their families would do so much to allow me to pursue my dreams and better help my community. Please take action today!
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