July 2017 — NHLA Welcomes “Dream Act of 2017” Introduction as Important Step in Protecting Immigrant Youth

NHLA Welcomes “Dream Act of 2017” Introduction as Important Step in Protecting Immigrant Youth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 45 of the nation’s most preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 in the United States Senate on Thursday. The Dream Act of 2017 demonstrates the bipartisan support for immigrant youth and DACA recipients. Given the significant threats DACA recipients face to their ability to work and live in the communities they have been raised in, NHLA is encouraged by the opportunity for members of both parties in Congress to work together to fully support immigrant communities and their families.

The bipartisan support for this legislation also sends a strong signal to President Trump that there is broad support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and that he should continue to preserve that successful policy, which serves many of the same youth that are the focus of the Dream Act.

Much work remains to be done. The Dream Act of 2017, and future legislation that makes humane reforms to immigration law, should not contain interior or border enforcement measures. Congress has already enacted robust immigration enforcement measures at great cost to taxpayers. Such enforcement measures do not correspond with humane and just treatment and it is essential to ensure that legislation is fully protecting immigrant families. Furthermore, NHLA strongly urges the President to maintain the DACA program. The President must not forget his critical role in preserving DACA and the protections currently in place for young immigrants, while our nation navigates this debate on the Dream Act.

“We welcome the introduction of bipartisan legislation to support immigrant youth and are hopeful that this shows Congress is ready to work together and with the president on immigration policy that is reflective of human rights and our true values as a nation. We are careful to praise this introduction because it is essential that the legislation focus on immigrants and their families, and not waste more dollars on border security or interior enforcement. We value the contributions that young immigrants have made and continue to make in the United States, which is why we fully support DACA and welcome the DREAM Act of 2017,” said Hector Sanchez Barba, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

“The DREAM Act is smart workforce and economic policy for the entire country,” said Thomas A. Saenz, vice chair of NHLA and MALDEF president and general counsel. “This is a home-grown and educated workforce – smart, young, and determined – that can help to provide the leadership and innovation that the United States needs in order to thrive in the future. This legislation, as well as preservation of DACA, is an essential step to building our economy; the opposite – deporting educated young workers – is simply self-destructive folly for our nation.”

“Dreamers are an essential part of the fabric of our nation. They contribute to our society, economy and culture in countless ways, and deserve the opportunity to become citizens of the United States – the country they were raised in and love. We applaud Senators Durbin, Graham, Schumer, and Flake for their leadership in introducing the DREAM Act of 2017, and presenting a path for a bright future for our immigrant youth and our nation,” said Jose Calderon, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Immigration Committee and President of Hispanic Federation.

“NLIRH welcomes the bipartisan leadership of Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin as they re-introduce a new version of the DREAM Act. We urge members of Congress to pass it so that immigrant youth can continue fulfilling their potential as they continue to contribute and enrich communities across the country. In the meantime, we must keep programs in place that provide protection for certain immigrants, like DACA and TPS, until there is a lasting legislative solution that will protect all immigrants under threat in this country. Today is a reminder that immigration remains a national priority and that bold leadership is needed, because the status quo is unacceptable and inhumane,” said Ann Marie Benitez, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Latina Task Force and Senior Director of Government Relations of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

| Michael Torra | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 425-0582 |

| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 45 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

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