At a press briefing in Washington D.C. on Monday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke on the need for comprehensive immigration reform, creating pathways to citizenship, and distinguishing between violent and non-violent immigrants.
00:00Yes. Mayor, the last message for community members who are obviously concerned with the high-end immigration enforcement, and they're going to be returning to school.
00:08We saw some of the previous threats that the administration made in schools gearing up, Mundo Verde, and now they're going to be walking to school and they're seeing people getting picked up.
00:18What's your message to those families as they're bracing for it?
00:21This is my message. I think as a nation, we need to demand comprehensive immigration reform.
00:28There needs to be a pathway to citizenship for hardworking people who have made this country their home.
00:37And we need to separate the discussion of enforcement against violent offenders and everyday hardworking people who have made this country their home.
00:51For us in D.C., we have many immigrants who have lived here illegally because of TPS protections.
00:58This administration needs to make those TPS protections clear and stand behind them.
01:06We have many people who have immigrated to this country who have valid work permits and student permits and student visas.
01:14We need to make plain that they are not under attack.
01:20And what needs to be made plain is what has been discussed for many, many months, is that violent offenders would be dealt with.
01:28And that is what we have to focus on.
01:31So for people who are anxious and afraid, I'm sorry that this is happening.
01:36But the change that needs to happen is with comprehensive immigration reform and leadership at the national level.
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