Preventing Dreamers from Deportation Should Not Be a Debate
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Dream Act of 2023
Good afternoon,

On February 9, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL)
introduced the Dream Act of 2023
<[link removed]>
(S. 365
<[link removed]>),
which would allow undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United
States as children the opportunity to obtain legal status if they meet
certain requirements. This bipartisan legislation, which has been
proposed in various congressional sessions for the past twenty years,
comes at a pivotal moment for recipients of the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program whose future remains uncertain as DACA
continues to be challenged in courts.

The Dream Act of 2023 would apply to roughly 1.9 million
<[link removed]> eligible Dreamers,
including 600,000
<[link removed]>
current DACA recipients. These individuals are students, teachers, small
business owners, healthcare providers, and members of our military. They
contribute upwards of $40 billion <[link removed]>
to the U.S. GDP every year and 343,000
<[link removed]>
recipients are employed in essential jobs. They are contributing members
of society and make our nation a better place, yet they live in fear of
deportation.

Last year, law enforcement <[link removed]>,
national security
<[link removed]>,
and faith leaders
<[link removed]>
all called on Congress to enact meaningful reforms that permanently
protect Dreamers. Among these groups, a similar message was projected:
Dreamers are vital to American economy and society.

[link removed]

**(Source: National Immigration Forum Twitter)**

****

As I reflect on the introduction of the Dream Act of 2023, the word
perseverance comes to mind. Despite years of asking for permanent
protections but receiving no solutions from Congress, Dreamers remain
active
<[link removed]>
in their fight for legal status. It is encouraging that President Biden
and lawmakers continue to place importance on a much-needed immigration
reform. Most recently, President Biden called
<[link removed]>
for a path to citizenship for Dreamers in his State of the Union
address.  

Throughout this uncertainty surrounding Dreamers, I think about the
immeasurable impact that Evelyn, a DACA recipient, has had on my life
and her community. Evelyn is a university student with the dream of
becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. She tutors students in her free
time and volunteers at local food banks. She has big plans for her life
but faces many obstacles as she is subjected to live court case to court
case. As a member of a mixed-status family, Evelyn risks leaving behind
her younger siblings - as is the case with many Dreamers. Nearly 8 of
every 10 <[link removed]> DACA recipients have
U.S. citizen family members. These families deserve to stay together and
have a sense of stability.

As I recall our friendship, all I can think about is how Evelyn is as
American as I am in every single way except on paper. She was brought to
the U.S. when she was 2 years old, and it's the only place that she
has ever known as home. She grew up in California and has no memory of -
or familial ties - to her birthplace. Evelyn is grateful that this
country has given her the opportunity to study at the highest levels of
education and pursue a career she is passionate about. The United States
is as much hers as it is mine.

The Dream Act of 2023 is an important opportunity to enact permanent
protections that should have been passed years ago. I urge you to join
us in raising our voice to let Members of Congress know
<[link removed]> that we want a permanent solution for Dreamers.

Stay hopeful and committed,

Graciela Ponce

**Graciela Ponce**
Consultant, Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**HOUSTON CHRONICLE:**In a divided Congress where '5 equals 100',
three Texans offer hope for immigration reform
<[link removed]>

**BORDER REPORT:** US to limit asylum to migrants who pass through a 3rd
nation
<[link removed]>

**POLITICO:**Supreme Court cancels oral arguments in Trump-era
immigration policy case
<[link removed]>

**FOX:**Biden admin mulls move to open pathways to green cards for
temporary agricultural, seasonal migrant workers
<[link removed]>

**THE WASHINGTON POST:**Durbin, Graham unveil immigration legislation at
an urgent time for dreamers
<[link removed]>

 

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