What's next in Congress with the citizenship plan for the undocumented

After the second rejection of the congressional parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough , the Democrats are preparing their third proposal to try to open the path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

This morning, Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois), chairman of the Judiciary Committee and one of the direct negotiators with the parliamentarian, criticized her decision.

"I have a lot of respect for the MP, but I disagree with her position," Durbin said. "A path to citizenship has a direct impact on the budget, which makes it appropriate to be integrated into the Reconciliation process ."

He said the recent proposal was basically a "date change," but the request was rejected. Durbin refers to the attempt by the Democrats to modify the Registry Law to 2010 , which currently indicates that those undocumented who arrived in the country before January 1, 1972, can apply for the “green card”.

A Senate source stated that the Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer (New York), have several options on the table to protect immigrants and pass it through the Reconciliation process.

However, he acknowledged that if that ends in a complete blockade of the parliamentarian MacDonough, other options will be explored. If this happens, the negotiations between the Democrats could be complicated, since at least two representatives in the House, Jesús “Chuy” García (Illinois) and Low Correa (California) , announced that they will not allow the Reconciliation package to advance without an option for immigrants.

So far there are no details about the so-called plan C of the Democrats, but in Congress there was talk that Representative  Jerrold Nadler  (New York) is working on a plan endorsed by the White House to offer deportation protection to immigrants, as well as a work permit, without the right to citizenship.

"It is possible," said the source without giving details about that proposal and that this is plan C.

Regarding a possible prejudice of the parliamentarian against immigrants when saying "no" to the proposals of the Democrats, they preferred not to comment on it, but they will be vigilant if MacDonough rejects all the options for undocumented immigrants.

"You have to understand that so far she has not said no to immigration, but to the fiscal impact," said the source.

Activist pressure grows

This Thursday, members of civil society organizations are holding demonstrations in various parts of the country, including Washington, DC, to press for a viable plan that protects 'dreamers', people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), agricultural workers and other essential employees during the pandemic.

"The opinion of the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, on what can and cannot be included in the budget reconciliation process is elitist and prejudiced," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera. "How else can you justify historic record tax breaks for the wealthiest under the Trump Administration, while opposing a $ 15 minimum wage increase in the American Rescue Plan and citizenship for millions of essential immigrant workers?"

He said Democrats should push and "not hide behind the parliamentarian" to fulfill the promise they made to immigrants.

"They, not the parliamentarian, were elected to lead this country and fulfill the promise of immigration reform ," he said.

There is no specific date for when plan C will be presented to MP MacDonough, while in both houses, Democrats face divisions over other aspects of the budget bill under the Reconciliation process, including the amount.