While the past four years have represented an extraordinarily difficult time for refugees and immigrants, the 2020 election signals a new dawn in America for all who stand for welcome.

LIRS is moved by the prospect of an administration that sees immigration as a strength, not a weakness. The Biden-Harris administration is expected to move quickly through executive action on key reversals, such as reinstating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA], resuscitating the asylum process, and removing country bans. However, uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Senate, an unprecedented global pandemic, and a crowded executive and legislative agenda complicate efforts towards transformative and sustainable immigration reform.

Even so, LIRS believes the new Administration can advance a sensible, coherent, humane and just immigration system by focusing on the following ten areas. 

LIRS' TOP TEN IMMIGRATION POLICY PRIORITIES

1. Prioritize the reunification of all separated families and strengthen protections for unaccompanied children
2. Restore U.S. leadership in refugee resettlement
3. Ensure COVID-19 relief, testing, and treatment regardless of immigration status
4. Reinstate asylum, suspend deportations, and institute ICE and CBP reforms
5. Invest and implement community-based alternatives to detention
6. Provide DACA and TPS recipients a path to citizenship
7. Reduce the citizenship backlog
8. Advance immigrant workforce and education opportunities
9. Provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S.
10. Act on climate displacement

We invite you to review our website with further explanation of the ten policy areas. You're also welcome to circulate and share on social media using this thread.