Immigration is American history!
Echo opinion published in the Las Vegas Sun: 
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
Nevada is a state where almost everyone is from somewhere else — it is a state of opportunity both built by immigrants and fueled by a largely immigrant labor force. In fact, the Census Bureau's Racial and Ethnic Diversity Index puts Nevada as the third most diverse state in the country, behind only California and Hawaii.
As an assemblywoman, it is my duty to advocate for all those in my community who need it, and I stand with the Dreamers, Temporary Protective Status holders and other undocumented immigrants who have stood with us in difficult times.
It is well past time for us all to stand with them. Nevadans deserve better, Americans deserve better.
I know Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto care about solving this issue. We are lucky to have leaders who listen to us, and I urge them to push their colleagues to take any and all steps necessary to ensure that this gets done now.
We are tired of empty promises when there are lives and livelihoods at stake, vulnerable to deportation and separation — when the chance to relieve them of their worries is here.
Selena Torres was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2018, and re-elected in 2020. She serves District 3.
Immigration reform is the right thing to do
By Selena Torres
By Selena Torres
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022
Nevada is a state where almost everyone is from somewhere else — it is a state of opportunity both built by immigrants and fueled by a largely immigrant labor force. In fact, the Census Bureau's Racial and Ethnic Diversity Index puts Nevada as the third most diverse state in the country, behind only California and Hawaii.
According to the Census Bureau, there is a 68.8% chance that two Nevadans chosen at random will be from different racial and ethnic groups.Aug 16, 2021
According to the American Immigration Council, 1 in 5 Nevadans are immigrants, and 1 in 6 “native-born” U.S. citizens have immigrant parents. These Nevadans are our neighbors, friends, colleagues, nurses, or maybe your child’s teacher.
For years, activists, Dreamers (DACA) and advocacy groups have been fighting to create a pathway to citizenship for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other undocumented immigrants. While President Joe Biden’s plan to add immigration into his Build Back Better bill is currently not looking like a promising vehicle, there are still opportunities to pass desperately needed protections for undocumented immigrants who have lived in our country for an average of 20 years.
Despite some disappointing setbacks, including rulings made by the Senate parliamentarian, expanding protections for undocumented immigrants in Nevada and across the country must be a priority for our leaders in the Senate. They should explore the various options available in order to secure protections for undocumented immigrants through this legislation.
As our late former senator, Harry Reid, told The Hill in October, “Americans want legal status for immigrants who have worked hard, paid taxes and made their lives in the United States.”
He’s right. Data shows that the immigration provisions in the Build Back Better Act are supported by 75% of Americans overall, including 88% of Democrats, 81% of independents and 58% of Republicans.
According to the American Immigration Council, 1 in 5 Nevadans are immigrants, and 1 in 6 “native-born” U.S. citizens have immigrant parents. These Nevadans are our neighbors, friends, colleagues, nurses, or maybe your child’s teacher.
For years, activists, Dreamers (DACA) and advocacy groups have been fighting to create a pathway to citizenship for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other undocumented immigrants. While President Joe Biden’s plan to add immigration into his Build Back Better bill is currently not looking like a promising vehicle, there are still opportunities to pass desperately needed protections for undocumented immigrants who have lived in our country for an average of 20 years.
Despite some disappointing setbacks, including rulings made by the Senate parliamentarian, expanding protections for undocumented immigrants in Nevada and across the country must be a priority for our leaders in the Senate. They should explore the various options available in order to secure protections for undocumented immigrants through this legislation.
As our late former senator, Harry Reid, told The Hill in October, “Americans want legal status for immigrants who have worked hard, paid taxes and made their lives in the United States.”
He’s right. Data shows that the immigration provisions in the Build Back Better Act are supported by 75% of Americans overall, including 88% of Democrats, 81% of independents and 58% of Republicans.
As an assemblywoman, it is my duty to advocate for all those in my community who need it, and I stand with the Dreamers, Temporary Protective Status holders and other undocumented immigrants who have stood with us in difficult times.
It is well past time for us all to stand with them. Nevadans deserve better, Americans deserve better.
I know Nevada Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto care about solving this issue. We are lucky to have leaders who listen to us, and I urge them to push their colleagues to take any and all steps necessary to ensure that this gets done now.
We are tired of empty promises when there are lives and livelihoods at stake, vulnerable to deportation and separation — when the chance to relieve them of their worries is here.
Congress must pass robust immigration relief, whether in the Build Back Better Act or in any vehicle necessary to deliver for millions of American families and help keep our economy recovering.
As the late Harry Reid said about immigration relief, “the time is now.”
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| Assemblywoman Selena Torres Party: Democratic |
Selena Torres was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2018, and re-elected in 2020. She serves District 3.
Labels: Dreamers, Las Vegas Sun, Nevada, Selena Torres
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 6:58 AM
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