On Wednesday, Latino Rebels asked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for an update on immigration reform and her view on the planned “Day Without Immigrants” protest on February 14.

The term “living in the shadows” is something I’m familiar with, having grown up waiting for some type of path that would allow me to become a legal resident. I did so while surviving a relationship that involved domestic violence.

“We need workers in this economy,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Latino Rebels. “(If) you want to grow the GDP then workers are at the heart of that. And this is one path to get the workers here in the United States able to come out of the shadows, take these jobs, pay taxes, and help us grow the economy.”

Five members of the House Hispanic Caucus, all Democrats, held a press conference on Wednesday to advocate for permanent immigrant relief provisions in the Democrats’ sprawling budget bill currently being negotiated on Capitol Hill.

Unless Padilla or the other Latino senators take a hard line on immigration reform, a legalization bill is unlikely to be enacted during the current Congress.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) tells Latino Rebels that immigration reform is “too big” to fit into the massive social spending bill currently being negotiated by Congressional Democrats on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants hangs in the balance on Capitol Hill this week as congressional committees take the formal steps to advance the various components of Democrats’ $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation proposal.

“Senator Sanders provided $126 billion dollars for ensuring that the cost of a process of legalization incorporating people into our country and providing a pathway to citizenship addresses the fiscal aspects of such an undertaking,” García told Latino Rebels Thursday evening in the Speaker’s Lobby. 

“The time is very long overdue for us to have comprehensive reform and why many people say it will be in there,” Senator Sanders told Latino Rebels on Tuesday afternoon, “but this is something that will need to go through the parliamentarian.”

“I’m certainly for immigration reform,” Cardin told Latino Rebels on Thursday. “I think it’s in the agreement, the dollars it involves.”

Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court that “The TPS program gives foreign nationals nonimmigrant status, but it does not admit them.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — After decades of failed attempts to pass comprehensive immigration legislation, congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden are signaling openness to a piece-by-piece approach.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — For the opening salvo of his presidency, few expected Joe Biden to be so far reaching on immigration.

DREAMers celebrated what was an unexpected victory in a majority conservative court. 

This week, Latino USA follows 4th grade mock senators to see—can they create that pathway to citizenship for millions, and do something that our government hasn’t been able to do for over 30 years?

“We’re not going to wait this time,” the presidential candidate said.

“It’s possible we missed an opportunity to fix what’s broken.”

Migration intent is fueled by the consequences of devastating pasts and the desire for better futures.

Editor’s Note: An original version of the following essay was original published in Medium. The author has granted us permission to republish it here. Recently I watched an interview from a 2007 broadcast of the CNN show Lou Dobbs Tonight, in which Dobbs interviewed Senator Bernie Sanders about that year’s push for immigration reform through […]

In 2016, it won’t be enough for Democrats to motivate Latino voters by pointing to the racism and xenophobia dominating the Republican Party or by saying they believe in comprehensive immigration reform while Republicans don’t.

Hillary Clinton can bash Bernie Sanders for voting against the 2007 comprehensive immigration reform bill if she wants, but I would’ve voted against it, too.