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Columbus Councilmember Brown, Ohio DACA Recipients, and Local Leaders Urge Congress to Pass the Dream Act

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A recording of today’s event is available here.

Columbus, OH – On a press call today, Columbus, OH Councilmember Elizabeth Brown joined local DACA recipients, as well as local business and education leaders to discuss why a legislative solution for Dreamers is so urgent for Ohio and America. A recording of today’s event is available here.

In Ohio, there are more than 4,400 Dreamers who are DACA recipients whose futures and opportunities to fully contribute to their communities is threatened by President Trump’s decision to end the popular and successful DACA program.

Councilmember Elizabeth Brown said, “The DACA program has been critical not just to its recipients but to our city as a whole. Columbus is home to hundreds of DACA recipients who are our neighbors, fellow Buckeyes, and taxpayers too. These young dreamers – who have only ever known the United States as their home – work and learn in our businesses and our universities. They make our neighborhoods stronger. They are Americans, and we are better because of them. President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress must stop gambling with their lives and instead begin betting on their success.”

Nathali Bertran, DACA-mented Columbus, OH Engineer, said, “We are hopeful that others will join Representatives Tiberi and Stivers in supporting the RAC Act or Dream Act, so that we can get a permanent solution for Dreamers before Christmas. This would bring us peace of mind and help us further contribute to American society. Please reach out to your Members of Congress to make sure they support us.”  

Rebecca Butler, VP of Enrollment Management and Student Services, Columbus State Community College, said, “On Columbus State’s campus, we run the full gambit with DACA-recipients. Some of our students want to publicly mobilize, which is why we are hosting several informational sessions for students to help them through this time of uncertainty. On the other end of the spectrum, we have many DACA-students who have concerns, namely regarding the uncertain future for themselves and their families, about being public with their status. We are attempting to meet each of those students where they are in their personal situation and provide the necessary support, while we wait for Congress to pass the Dream Act.”

Malik Moore, Executive Director of YMCA of Central Ohio, said, “At the Y, we believe all young people have great promise, no matter where they come from, and we are committed to helping them reach their full potential. Like everything we do, our approach to youth development has roots in our inclusive “for all” mission and the welcoming model upon which the Y was founded. An organization that values caring, honesty, respect and responsibility is called to embrace all children and their families. All are welcome here.”

Elvis Saldias Villarroel, DACA-recipient, said, “As a young adult, I find it difficult to plan for the future with the repeal of DACA. Myself and 800,000 others in Ohio and across the country are currently in limbo and Congress has the power to put our lives back on track. The RAC Act and the Dream Act are legislative solutions that are currently being considered as solutions to this dilemma.”

Matt Hildreth, Political Director of America’s Voice Education Fund, said, “The future of the city of Columbus and the buckeye state is brighter because of our Dreamers. They are our friends, our family, our neighbors, and our colleagues. Trump’s reckless decision to terminate this program pulled the rug out from underneath 800,000 DACA-recipients, including 4,400 in Ohio alone. The ball is now in Congress’ court, and the Dream Act has broad, bipartisan support. It’s time for Congress to catch up with the American public and pass a clean Dream Act.”

Follow Lynn Tramonte on Twitter: @tramontela and @AmericasVoice

Ohio’s Voice – Harnessing the power of Ohio voices and Ohio values to win common sense immigration reform

www.americasvoice.org

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