Ten years ago, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was announced to protect eligible immigrants who came to the United States as children from deportation. Dreamers are contributing members of our communities and are our neighbors, friends, and family. Although the program has helped recipients work towards a better life in the United States, the lack of a permanent legislative solution leaves their futures unsure.
The National Immigration Forum calls for Congress to work together on immigration reforms that create an opportunity for Dreamers to earn legal status and citizenship. Polling earlier this year found that 80% of voters overall, including 76% of Republicans, support such reforms.
Last week at the Summit of the Americas, the Biden administration pledged to resettle 20,000 refugees from the Americas during Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. Currently, the U.S. is on track to resettle less than 2,000 refugees from the region in FY 2022. Recent refugee resettlement data showed a decline in overall refugee admissions for the third consecutive month. This commitment is a positive step towards rebuilding our refugee resettlement system.
The Biden administration also announced a new pilot program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will support U.S. farmers hiring agricultural workers under the H-2A temporary work visa program. There will also be 11,500 H-2B nonagricultural seasonal worker visas available for nationals of Northern
Central America and Haiti. Investing in more legal immigration pathways, as stated in the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, "promote[s] safer and more orderly migration."
It is fitting that the DACA anniversary and Summit of the Americas occur during Immigrant Heritage Month and shortly before World Refugee Day on June 20. Immigrants of all origins and statuses bring value to our nation and deserve a just and compassionate immigration system. We must continue to push for sensible immigration reforms that affirm the value of immigrants and immigration to our nation. Join us by adding your name to our
statement of principles and advocating for permanent legislative solutions for Dreamers.
Stay healthy and hopeful,
Nora Coyne
Field and Constituencies Manager
National Immigration Forum
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