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Immigration

America has always been a country of immigrants, and the legacy of their hard work remains with us even today. The American economy owes so much of its competitiveness to immigrant workers and American culture owes its richness and complexity to the cultural contributions of immigrants. I am proud to represent one of the most diverse districts in the country in Queens, New York. Every day, I witness the dedication, commitment, and work of our immigrant communities.

As the daughter of first-generation immigrants, I understand firsthand the everyday struggles immigrants face as parents strive to provide a better life for themselves and their children. It is imperative that we pass commonsense immigration reform to preserve a compassionate, functional, and secure immigration system.

Our immigration system must reflect our nation’s values. That is why I am fighting for:

  • A pathway to citizenship;
  • Eliminating the family-visa backlog to allow for quicker family reunification;
  • Provide legal counsel for vulnerable immigrant populations;
  • Increasing judicial discretion and transitioning the immigration courts to an independent judiciary;
  • Improving visas wait times to provide visas for a range of workers that fill in the needs of our economy.

Immigration is crucial to spurring innovation and maintaining economic competitiveness. Unfortunately, our current immigration system is inefficient and in need of comprehensive reform. We must make sure that our laws are equitable, non-discriminatory and fair. We must uphold our guiding principles as we work to reform our immigration system and ensure that our system is welcoming and accessible for all who wish to become new Americans.