EL PASO, TX – Today, FWD.us hosted a panel event featuring Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16) and local immigration experts to discuss “A Better Way Forward,” a new policy framework by Andrea Flores, a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and FWD.us Vice President of Immigration Policy and Campaigns. The event took place at the El Paso Community Foundation, featuring a discussion on the new framework and the future of our immigration system. Joining Flores and Representative Escobar were Christina Sanchez, El Paso County Attorney, and Sigrid Gonzalez, former Senior Advisor for Customs and Border Protection.

"A Better Way Forward" provides a bold new blueprint for policymakers to replace outdated enforcement-only strategies with sustainable, modern solutions that reflect the current realities of regional migration. The framework proposes pragmatic steps to secure the border, modernize the asylum system, and expand legal pathways for immigrants — all while unlocking the economic potential for border communities and beyond.

The panel underscored the urgency for Congress to act on these recommendations to implement a proactive and lasting immigration strategy.

Border communities like El Paso have become the frontline of our nation’s immigration system, and too often, are the testing ground for stopgap policies that have failed to sustainably respond to global shifts in migration. The panel discussion represented the need to bridge the divide between policymakers in Washington D.C. and border community leaders, to ensure that border communities can harness the economic benefits of immigration and have a seat at the table to determine the future of our immigration system.

Texas is home to over 5 million immigrants, making up nearly a quarter of Texas’ labor force. Immigrants play a vital role in sustaining Texas’ economy, strengthening local communities, and filling key labor gaps.

“I am grateful to have joined FWD.us today to share my perspective and goals regarding border security and immigration policy. As a representative from a border district, I have seen the deep-rooted problems of our immigration system and the impact of inaction to address them firsthand. This new framework is an excellent step toward creating an immigration system that strengthens our border without compromising our values. I plan to continue working with partners like FWD.us to achieve lasting, successful change,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16).

“Now more than ever, the U.S. needs to modernize its immigration system, and ‘A Better Way Forward’ provides a blueprint for the future. Growing up in a border community, I know firsthand how disconnected policy conversations in Washington often are from the realities American citizens face along the U.S.-Mexico border. This framework addresses the past decade of policy failures, identifying new opportunities for lawmakers to manage displacement in the Western Hemisphere, expand access to legal pathways to the United States, modernize border security infrastructure and reform the asylum system – all in a way that centers the needs of receiving communities like El Paso so they can continue to benefit from the contributions of immigrants for years to come,” said Andrea Flores, Vice President of Immigration Policy and Campaigns at FWD.us.

“As the El Paso County Attorney, I see daily the real-world consequences of our nation’s broken immigration system and the impact of state policies like SB4 on our community. El Paso County has actively engaged in addressing the legal challenges these policies present because we understand firsthand the need for solutions that are both effective and humane. The ‘A Better Way Forward’ framework offers a comprehensive and much-needed approach that recognizes the complexities of regional migration and seeks to move beyond ineffective, enforcement-only strategies. It is vital that we consider these new perspectives and work collaboratively to create a system that serves the needs of border communities while upholding our values,” said Christina Sanchez, El Paso County Attorney.

Click HERE for the full framework, “A Better Way Forward.”