11 Hours For 11 Million: Immigrant Youth Held Overnight Sustained Action Demanding Citizenship Now!

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Washington, D.C. – For 11 hours through the rain,  immigrant youth and allies of United We Dream Action held an overnight action demanding Congress pass a pathway to citizenship for millions this year. 

Immigrant youth were joined by Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) to kick-off the start of the 11 hour overnight sustained action, which included undocumented young people from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Through the 11 hours, partners from CASA, CHIRLA, and NAKASEC joined United We Dream Action to chant and share stories. The event also featured a performance by undocumented musician MannyWellz. 

Photo credit to United We Dream Action. For more pictures and videos, click here.  

Karina Ruiz, Executive Director at the Arizona Dream Act Coalition (ADAC), said: 

“I traveled here all the way from Arizona with a clear message for my Senators Sinema and Kelly: we need you to do your job and deliver for the people of Arizona. I joined this overnight sustained action to highlight the urgency of this moment. DACA recipients like me, and undocumented people like my mom live each day with the fear of detention and deportation. Democrats have long said they want to make a difference in the lives of immigrants, and now is their moment to deliver. 

In 2020 my son, who is a U.S. citizen, voted for the first time to elect champions who would provide long needed relief for undocumented people like me and his grandparents. I also organized in my home-state of Arizona to help deliver victory to President Biden and Senator Kelly in 2020, and organized in 2018 to elect Senator Sinema. Now it’s time they use the power we gave them! We have a historic opportunity right now to deliver a pathway to citizenship for millions of people, including millions of undocumented people who call Arizona home.”

Leidy León, Member of United We Dream Action, said: 

“This week, I took off from college and traveled over 2,000 miles from California to D.C. to make sure that my voice and the voice of my community is heard! Immigrants have always lived with the fear and uncertainty of being separated from our families, and with the current pandemic, the fear of our families contracting COVID, while being denied life saving resources. My mom is an essential worker who works with the elderly. Earlier this year she contracted COVID, and it was a very scary time considering she doesn’t have health insurance. 

President Biden and Democrats have told us how grateful they are to undocumented essential workers, like my mom, and how much they want to help undocumented young people like me. Now is the time to turn their words into action and pass a pathway to citizenship, using all the tools at their disposal. No excuses, only action!”

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United We Dream Action is the leading national network fighting for dignity and justice led by immigrant youth and allies. We are a dynamic community of thousands of immigrant youth nationwide who build independent political power for those directly impacted by injustice. We organize and take action to win victories so that all people can be safe and thrive.