Good afternoon,

On February 9, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Dream Act of 2023 (S. 365), 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 eligible Dreamers, including 600,000 current DACA recipients. These individuals are students, teachers, small business owners, healthcare providers, and members of our military. They contribute upwards of $40 billion to the U.S. GDP every year and 343,000 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, national security, and faith leaders 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.

(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 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 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 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 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

BORDER REPORT: US to limit asylum to migrants who pass through a 3rd nation

POLITICO: Supreme Court cancels oral arguments in Trump-era immigration policy case

FOX: Biden admin mulls move to open pathways to green cards for temporary agricultural, seasonal migrant workers

THE WASHINGTON POST: Durbin, Graham unveil immigration legislation at an urgent time for dreamers