CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States are waiting to see how leaders in Washington vote on the issue of immigration.
Immigration attorney Renata Castro says this recent passing of 2 immigration reform bills is evidence that the House and the Senate are willing to comprise on 2 immigration issues.
“The Dreamers which are kids who were brought to the United States under the age of 16 and who arrived in the United States before June 2007, but also farm-workers,” said Renata Castro, founding attorney of the Castro Legal Group.
Giving D.A.C.A recipients a pathway to full citizenship, Castro says farm-workers now have a legal pathway to work here in the U.S.
“It also talks about streamlining and improving the process for agricultural workers and employers to give foreign nationals an H2A Visa which is a temporary work visa which is designed for those working in agriculture," said Castro.
However The American Dream and Promise Act, along with The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, must pass in the Senate before becoming law, but Castro says if you or someone you know is expecting some kind of immigration reform, there is no time to waste.
“Get information now from an experienced immigration attorney. Take some basic steps today, marriage certificates, renew your passport, make sure you meet with an accountant to review your taxes,” said Castro.
On the other hand, in a previous interview immigration attorney Steve Maggi says, there are negative impacts some argue immigration reform could have on the economy.
“What are the costs of allowing them to public benefits to Medicaid, to education, food stamps especially during COVID, where there are so many people that are out of work? Does that get passed on to the taxpayer?," said Steve Maggi, founder of the SMA Law Firm.
Right now Castro, says there are other issues that may interfere with the passing of an immigration bill, leaving many attorneys like herself cautiously optimistic for the future.
“The pandemic and the impact it has had on the economy, but I am confident that we will have good news for some-segments of individuals in the United States who are without status who have been waiting for such a long time to come out of the shadows and contribute to the United States economy,” said Castro.
