NILC Statement on the Introduction of the LIFT the BAR Act in the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON — Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement on today’s introduction of the LIFT the BAR Act in the U.S. House of Representatives:

“All of us — no matter how much money we have or where we were born — have a fundamental right to health care, education, nutrition, and housing. By eliminating these discriminatory exclusions that have kept the safety net out of reach for millions of immigrants and their loved ones, the LIFT the BAR Act would help confront significant disparities that have only been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and bring us closer to our vision of health care for all so that everyone can have the freedom to thrive. The National Immigration Law Center thanks Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Tony Cárdenas for their leadership and urges Congress to swiftly see it through.”

Introduced by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), the LIFT the BAR Act would repeal outdated, discriminatory barriers that have kept the safety net out of reach for millions of immigrant families for decades. It would also expand access to health care and certain economic support programs to millions of lawful permanent residents and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or temporary protected status (TPS).

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