Instead of approving greater resources for the persecution of undocumented immigrants, congressmen should focus on approving reforms that allow these people to access their regularization, believe dozens of organizations that defend civil, human and immigrant rights.
“The solution that legislators should focus on is creating an opportunity for immigrants to present themselves, pass a background check and apply for factual permanent residence, ultimately becoming naturalized citizens,” indicates a letter signed by dozens of organizations, provided to this newspaper.
The letter highlights that the current immigration policies of President Donald Trump’s government are “costly and dangerous,” while arguing the economic contributions of immigrants to the United States.
The text urges to consider such contributions and gives as an example that in 2023 almost half of the undocumented population in the United States had lived in the country for more than 20 years, forming families, creating companies and paying taxes.
“Undocumented agricultural workers, for example, have spent an average of 8 years doing backbreaking work so that food grown in the United States reaches our supermarkets,” it states.
The letter is signed by several of the most important organizations at the national level in defense of civil, human and immigrant rights, such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), United We Dream (UWD), We Are CASA, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), among others.
People with DACA and TPS
The letter highlights how temporary protection and employment authorization programs have allowed immigrants to become pillars of the American economy, such as people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who work in sectors such as construction, home health care and hospitality.
“Unfortunately, the Trump administration attempted to end TPS for millions of people, who now face deportation and detention,” it states.
It is also mentioned that the ‘Dreamers’ who benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program “have reached the age of majority in the United States”, integrated into a country that they recognize as theirs.
“A survey conducted in 2024 of DACA beneficiaries revealed that the average age of arrival was 6 years and that they have resided in the United States for an average of more than 25 years,” the organizations recall.
Pressure amid debate for more resources for ICE
The organizations’ request comes in the middle of the debate in Congress, where Republicans seek to allocate greater resources to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) and Democrats push to avoid violent immigration operations.
The organizations believe that legislators should focus on approving a protection reform for millions of undocumented immigrants, which has been stalled for years.
“Congress has spent decades debating, but failing to approve, a major new path to citizenship, making the status quo in an approach increasingly focused exclusively on defending a watch on immigration,” they explain.
The groups cite that 72% of Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, according to a February 2026 survey by Morris Predictive Insights.
The message emphasizes that protecting immigrants is not only less costly for the public treasury, but would increase the national GDP “by more than a trillion dollars.”
From immigrant to immigrant
One argument adds that 4% of congressmen are, in fact, naturalized American citizens.
“Citizenship offers greater security than permanent second-class status, which can be revoked, lost or seemingly ignored, as has been observed under this administration,” it states.
Therefore, offering a path to citizenship facilitates people’s economic mobility, in addition to their participation in democracy and “keeps families together.”
Although they do not mention specific legislation, the organizations reject reforms that limit people’s protection, forcing them to contribute to social programs, without any benefit. They also reject the public charge rule in immigration processes and the Department of Housing (HUD) program that will prevent thousands of people from having essential help.
