2 FEBRUARY 2021

Immigration Hub: Dream Act Is An Important Step Towards Legalization For 11 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Dream Act, a bill that grants permanent protection from deportation and creates a pathway to citizenship for nearly 2 million Dreamers, was introduced in the Senate. In response, Sergio Gonzales, Interim Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement:

“As the Biden-Harris administration continues their work to rebuild our immigration system, we’re thrilled to see Congress move forward with the bipartisan introduction of the Dream Act today. This bill is an essential step towards citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living and working in the country.

“For far too long, especially over the last four years, Dreamers have lived in constant fear that at any moment the only country they have ever called home could pull the rug out from under them and deport them to a foreign country. As the pandemic disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities, undocumented immigrants continue to work on the frontlines of the pandemic, including 200,000 DACA recipients. We owe them the stability and peace of mind that the Dream Act would provide. Even with the Biden-Harris administration working at a record pace to undo the harms of the previous administration, recent federal lawsuits continue to threaten DACA and remind us that the only permanent solution for Dreamers is swift and bold legislation.

“Americans soundly rejected Trump and his many draconian immigration measures in the past election, and they overwhelmingly favor a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. We applaud the introduction of the Dream Act and will continue to work with the Congress to create a humane and sensible immigration system for all.”

Sara Gomez Horta, a DACA recipient and Digital and Partnerships Manager at the Immigration Hub said:

“After the terror unleashed by the Trump administration over the last four years, it is incumbent on Congress to take immediate action to finally grant permanent protections for Dreamers. The work of immigrant youth, Black organizers and allies who mobilized voters was instrumental in delivering wins for the Biden administration and a Democratic majority in both chambers of Congress. While the Dream Act is critical first step, we must go further to establish a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants who have long called this country home.”

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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.