The nation’s 2.4 million farm workers were deemed as essential by the federal government at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; at least half of them don’t have legal status

Phoenix, Arizona — Essential workers and faith leaders will be gathering outside of Sen. Krysten Sinema’s office to hold a prayer vigil culminating their week-long fast and to bring awareness to the need for a pathway to citizenship for essential workers. Alejandro Chavez, the grandson of civil rights labor leader Cesar Chavez and a local community leader and activist from Phoenix, Arizona, will be fasting for two days in support of legalization. He played a key role in health care reform and was a plaintiff in the U.S. Census citizenship question case.

Whether they harvest lettuce or raise livestock for meat or dairy, farmworkers in Arizona make it possible for agriculture to be a $5.3 billion industry in the State.  Recognizing the critical role that they play in the State’s economy and Arizona communities, farmworkers and other essential workers are urging Sen. Sinema to support establishing a path to legalization and citizenship for farmworkers, Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers, this year.

In addition to the moral imperative to provide these communities with certainty and protection from deportation, reports indicate that providing a pathway to citizenship for these populations would provide a major boost to the U.S. economy, increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $1.5 trillion over 10 years and creating more than 400,000 new jobs.  This would mean that the average American would see a $600 per year raise if a roadmap to citizenship is created for Dreamers, TPS holders and essential workers.  

As the Senate Budget Committee prepares to unveil its budget resolution and to vote on it before they leave for August recess, the people the nation relies on for its food security urge all Senators to pass a budget resolution that includes a path to citizenship for farm workers, Dreamers, TPS holders and essential workers. 

Impacted farm workers will be available for interviews before and after the gathering.  

WHAT: Rally in front of Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s office to culminate a week-long fast in support of essential worker legalization.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST.

WHO: Late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez’ grandson, Alejandro Chavez; UFW Foundation; CorazonAZ; Cesar Chavez Foundation; faith leaders, and farm workers.

WHERE: 3333 East Camelback Road, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85018 (Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office).