USCCB: The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and Next Steps on Advocating for Immigration Reform

Dear Justice for Immigrants Members,

On February 18, 2021, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Linda Chavez (D-CA 38) introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, a comprehensive immigration bill that has been promoted by President Biden in his commitment to prioritize immigration reform. The Catholic Bishops have welcomed that prioritization of immigration reform.

Learn More About the U.S. Citizenship Act

Read a two-page backgrounder on the bill.

What Is Next? How Do We Make Immigration Reform a Reality?

We need your voice to help make immigration reform possible in this moment. In addition to the U.S. Citizenship Act, there are other immigration reform bills that must be acted on before March 12th to help ensure that we are closer to achieving immigration reform. Per the rules of the 117th Congress, there are two bipartisan immigration bills, the American Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which can be brought directly to the House of Representatives floor for a vote if done by March 12th. This is the last day of voting in the House before the April 1st deadline, after which point bills introduced during the prior Congress must go through the normal committee review process.

Read the Bishops’ letter on this issue.

What Can You Do?

  1. Conduct meetings with your lawmakers during March. See our March recess documents:
  2. Talking points in English and Spanish.
  3. Congressional advocacy guide in English and Spanish.
  4. Pray for immigration reform.