5 DEC 2022

Immigration Hub Responds to Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Dreamers and Address Border Policy

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent reported on a potential bipartisan legislative deal that would provide permanent protections for DACA-recipients and other Dreamers. The proposal would also change and restrict the way asylum applicants are processed at our southern border.  

If Congress fails to pass legislation during this lame duck session, the courts are likely to strike down the DACA program as early as next year. The consequences of ending DACA will be far-reaching and devastating, with an average of 1,000 Dreamers a week losing their jobs and their deportation protections. 

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement in response to the latest development:  

“We cannot stress enough the urgency of this moment. If Congress acts this year, it can deliver protections for an estimated two million Dreamers. It is long overdue for Congress to take action. Young immigrants who grew up in our communities should be formally recognized as the Americans they already are. It is historic that senators from both sides of the aisle have come together to work on a compromise that would have such a far-reaching impact on the nation’s economy and millions of families.

“While we are thrilled by the bill’s embrace of Dreamers, we are deeply concerned by some of the proposed asylum and border measures and some of the populations that are not yet included. For example, we are greatly troubled by the inclusion of mandatory detention, the expansion of Title 42, and the harsh penalties for those who miss an asylum hearing.

“We recognize that any bipartisan process is likely to include measures we would not support on their own, but we call on Senators to fashion a final proposal that gets the balance right. Dreamers should become permanent residents and citizens. Similarly-situated populations such as farm workers and TPS beneficiaries should be included. And those seeking asylum should be given fair proceedings on U.S. soil. Asylum adjudications can result in life-and-death decisions; our nation needs to make sure that those seeking refugee status can do so in this country, with legal representation and without suffering arbitrary and harsh sanctions due to bureaucratic failures. Simply put, we must ensure that the torch remains lit for those yearning for safety and to breathe free - and that core principles of fairness and empathy are met in this legislation. 

“We remain hopeful that a strong deal can pass Congress this year. We call on Senators involved in the negotiations to continue to work towards reaching a strong agreement that all Democrats and enough Republicans can support, and do so in time to pass the deal in the lame duck session of Congress. DACA has been incredibly successful and overwhelmingly popular among voters, allowing over 830,000 people the ability to become homeowners, build careers, and start businesses and families. With the courts geared to end it as soon as next year, the stakes have never been higher, and compromise is needed – this year.”  

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.