10 FEB 2023

The Immigration Hub Reacts to the Introduction of the 2023 DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Graham (R-SC) re-introduced the DREAM Act, a bill that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought here as children and grew up in the United States. With the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program hanging in the balance as a result of repeated GOP attacks, congressional action to grant Dreamers permanent protection is critically urgent. 

Sergio Gonzales, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement: 

“We are pleased to see Senators Durbin and Graham take this step towards protecting Dreamers, but without swift, bipartisan support, especially from Senator Graham’s GOP colleagues, these young immigrants will continue to live in limbo. Instead of living from court decision to court decision, these students, teachers, scientists, doctors, front-line workers, friends and neighbors deserve to have the certainty that they can continue to study, live and work in the U.S. without the fear of deportation.

“Dreamers make our country stronger. They bolster our economies, enrich our communities, and represent America’s future. An estimated 300,000 U.S. citizens have at least one parent that qualifies for DACA, and roughly three-fourths of DACA recipients have a child, sibling, spouse or parent that is a US citizen. For Dreamers, this is the only country most have ever known.

“On the question of what Congress should do about undocumented immigrants settled in our nation, the American people have decided. The overwhelming majority support a humane and just immigration system that grants Dreamers, TPS holders, farm workers and other immigrants a pathway to citizenship. With the future of the DACA program hanging in the balance, the need for action is more urgent than ever. How much longer will Dreamers have to wait? It's been over two decades since the Dream Act was first introduced. Getting this bill across the finish line should be at the top of the agenda for the 118th Congress.”

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