Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) said he has seen a “huge demand” for citizenship in immigrant communities “ever since the election of Donald Trump.”
He added that immigrants with Green Cards want to “upgrade” to American citizenship because “they don’t feel as safe with a Green Card as they used to” and “they want to get involved in the election process and thereby make the country safer and saner for all family members.”
Gutierrez made his remarks in a Friday video message for the Hispanic Caucus for Immigrant Heritage Month. Gutierrez said he and his colleagues will hold 20 events across the country to encourage people to apply for citizenship. He added that June should actually be “citizenship and empowerment month” to recognize the “contribution of immigrants”
Gutierrez also vowed to “double down” with 40 citizenship events in September and added there is more to Immigrant Heritage Month than just “balloons and fire crackers.”