Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) unveiled his recommendations to President Joe Biden and his administration for managing migration and refugees in the Western Hemisphere. The Menendez Plan provides the Biden Administration with a strategic blueprint to develop a sustainable and structural response to migration in the region that will reduce pressure on the U.S. southwest border without sacrificing our nation’s domestic and international obligations to protect asylum seekers.
Tomorrow, Friday April 21 at 9:30 A.M. ET, Sen. Menendez will join leading policy and political experts from The Immigration Hub and America’s Voice for a press call. RSVP topress@americasvoice.org for dial-in details.
The plan has been widely embraced by a wide variety of immigrant rights and Latino advocacy groups. Find a summary of some reactions to the Menendez Plan:
“Senator Menendez is charting a thoughtful and balanced vision for how the Biden administration can and should make progress on immigration and border policies. His new blueprint proposes real solutions that advance our interests and are consistent with our values.” Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice
“We applaud Senator Menendez for his timely, pragmatic, and forward-looking plan to address the humanitarian challenges our country is facing on our southern border. His plan is the kind of constructive and solutions-driven vision that is what Hispanic voters and millions of other Americans want to see: an immigration system that is humane, efficient and secure. Senator Menendez’s plan is unique in that it takes into account the many ’push factors’ and other elements that are driving migration.”
Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS.
“Senator Menendez is a leading thinker and policy maker on migration, refugees and foreign policy. His thoughtful, balanced and multilayered plan is a potential game-changer. The Biden Administration would be wise to use it as a blueprint. The Menendez plan combines the right elements to better manage refugee and migrant flows from throughout the Americas: it preserves asylum and refugee protection while ensuring the system has integrity; it provides safe haven to those unable to return to their countries; it expands legal channels to reduce border pressures; and it makes sure that, over time, forced migration is mitigated and managed.” Kerri Talbot, Deputy Director of the Immigration Hub.
“In this contentious era, it is heartening to see a leader like Senator Menendez come to the table with a multi-pronged plan for tackling a tough issue like immigration and asylum. This set of recommendations includes some smart solutions that AILA has proposed, including ensuring access to legal counsel, expanding Temporary Protected Status, and expanding legal pathways.” Jeremy McKinney, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
“Senator Menendez offered a plan to humanely manage migration to the United States. President Biden should endorse and implement the proposal through his executive authority. J. Kevin Appleby, Interim Director of the Center for Migration Studies of New York.
“Senator Menendez’ plan is a powerful starting point for reasoned discussion and debate grounded in humane and effective solutions. Let’s work together to build immigration policy that matches the American values we stand for as a nation.”
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council.
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