FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2021 CHIRLA HAILS BIDEN LIFTING OF TRUMP ERA BAN ON GREEN CARD APPLICANTS THAT TORE FAMILIES, HURT ECONOMY Ending ban on U.S. entry for people approved for green cards through family visas and the diversity lottery is a step toward normalcy and away from hate-driven policies LOS ANGELES -- The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the largest immigrant rights organization in California, announces its support for President Biden's lifting of an entry ban on thousands of approved family visa, diversity lottery and work visa holders put in place by the previous administration. These visa holders can how enter to receive their green cards. President Biden correctly said the ban did not advance U.S. interests but instead hurt American families and U.S. industries that could benefit from the contributions of these immigrants. We have long rejected the fake reasoning that the ban guarded against job competition during the pandemic. Allowing these visa holders to come to the United States helps our recovery from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. We recognize that other visa beneficiaries are still waiting to be allowed into the country, including applicants from specific countries like Iran, China, Brazil and South Africa. We expect the Biden administration to work quickly to ease those roadblocks, as the diversity visa backlog is only one of several caused or worsened by the previous administration. At least half a million family-based visa holders await their interviews. We also expect President Biden to lift the ban on non-immigrant visa holders who have been blocked from entry. Please attribute the following statements to Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director: "We are thrilled that holders of certain family-based and diversity visas will now be able to come to the United States and rejoin their family members. Family unity is a cornerstone of CHIRLA's work, and so we see the lifting of this ban as a very encouraging move. "We also expect that the Biden administration will soon move to address other backlogs in the system, including lifting bans on applicants from certain countries and other visa holders, including temporary non-immigrant workers. These applicants also contribute to the greatness of this country. They should not continue to be punished for wanting to contribute and to build better lives for their families. We look forward to replacing the anti-immigrant stain on our government with a just society, fully inclusive of immigrants." | 
