Washington, DC – As Congress returns to Washington for the end of year lame-duck session, more voices are calling for a legislative action on immigration before the end of the year – calling on Democrats to deliver for Dreamers and for Republicans to demonstrate a break from Trump-ism and rabid nativism by partnering on a popular solution. The fate of DACA recipients remains perilous as Republican legal challenges threaten to outlaw the popular and successful program that has allowed hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to live and work legally in the U.S.
Thankfully, momentum is building on behalf of legislative action, both inside and outside of Congress.
- As Beltway journalist Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News reported this morning, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, “said in dem caucus meeting that they are going to push for DACA fix in lame duck.”
- Sen. Mark Kelly stated in a press conference today: “We need immigration reform. It’s incredibly important for our state but also for the country. We’ve got tens of thousands of Dreamers in Arizona who I look at as just as American as my own two kids.”
- Democratic Whip, Sen. Dick Durbin said in floor remarks, “Republican colleagues, particularly those who are leaving and have told me privately they’ve always wanted to vote for the DREAM Act and this time they will give us a chance to work together to come up with a good sensible approach to our border, a good sensible approach to the DREAM Act and help bring in workers that we desperately need for agriculture. And for some specialties in healthcare, where we’re having severe shortages in this country. We could do this. There’s no reason we can’t do it. We have the basic legislation. Let’s really do something we can be proud of in the closing days of this year.”
- In new interviews with Univision and the Nevada Independent, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto again highlighted her support for Dreamers and the need for a legislative fix, telling the NV Indy: “There is an opportunity, to some of my colleagues, Republican colleagues, who claim that they want to work and support Dreamers and work on legislation. You’re welcome to work together and I will look for them to stand up and fight, but I’m not giving up. This is such an important issue that I know that we can absolutely make sure that DREAMers and TPS recipients, so many that were on the frontlines of this pandemic, are on a pathway to citizenship.” In an interview with Univision, Senator Cortez Masto highlighted the importance of delivering on a fix for Dreamers and broader immigration reform for Nevada and underscoring the critical role Latino voters in the state played in securing her re-election.
- Re-elected Senator Alex Padilla made the case for a legislative solution for Dreamers before the end of 2022, stating during a MSNBC appearance that we need to give “Dreamers the stability they need.”
- Rep. Pete Aguilar, vice chair of the House Democratic caucus said in a press call on the need for a DACA bill, “We have time and time again stood on the right side. We’re waiting for Republicans in the Senate to do the same.”
- In Arizona, the organizers and activists who helped win passage of the pro-Dreamer Proposition 308 celebrated its passage yesterday while calling on Congress to act on a permanent fix for Dreamers so more Arizona Dreamers can put their degrees to use:
- Rebecca Shi of ABIC noted, “In the face of all of this fear and division, there is a broad bipartisan consensus about immigration solution. So now, it is time for Congress to act for Dreamers and farmworkers before the end of the year.”
- Carolina Rodriguez-Greer, the state director for Mi Familia Vota, said: “Even as we celebrate today, we know that we’re not done. We want full federal protection for Dreamers, our families, so that we can fully live our lives in Arizona and this country that we all call home.”
- Reyna Montoya, Aliento Founder and CEO: “Thousands of dreams, stories, tears, & conversations. Our youth led us through victory w/ heart, brains, and humility. Forever grateful for everyone who supported us … change takes time, vision, hard work, & a lot of heart.”
- Arizona voters unequivocally rejected the combined $100M spent on the anti-immigrant, white nationalist politics of Trumpism, defeating the three most prominent Trump-endorsed candidates for the state’s highest offices: Kari Lake for Governor, Blake Masters for Senate, and Mark Finchem for Secretary of State.
- Boston Globe columnist Marcela García: “Democrats need to deliver for Hispanics, especially on immigration, an issue Democrats blatantly ignored in their midterm messaging. For instance, what is President Biden going to do about Dreamers and DACA, which is likely to be terminated by the courts? All the Latinos nationwide who voted Democrat now want to know.”
- As America’s Voice Political Associate and DACA recipient, Yuna Oh wrote in an op-ed published in the Baltimore Sun: “I want to be a United States citizen. If Congress created a process where I could adjust my status, I would be the first in line. Congress can and must act so that my family — and your undocumented neighbors’ futures — are no longer in a permanent state of limbo and fear. And they should act now before the year is up.”
Recent polling confirms the American consensus on behalf of Dreamers. For example, the 2022 Midterm Election Voter Poll surveyed more than 12,200 Americans and found 68-32% support for a legislative fix for Dreamers in the lame duck session. Described as, “Passing a law right after the election to provide permanent legal status to DACA recipients and Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children but raised in the U.S.” Support for Dreamers nationally in the poll was 82-18% among Latino voters.
According to Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice:
“Both parties are on the clock to take concrete legislative action to resolve Dreamers’ uncertain status before the end of the year and before DACA’s termination removes tens of thousands of teachers, nurses, and essential workers from the American economy. It’s good to hear Democrats make the case for delivering this year for Dreamers, now they must pair their words with concrete action. Meanwhile, Republicans have a choice to make. Will they continue to let Stephen Miller and his fellow nativists define the GOP, especially to Latino voters, young voters, and the rest of the fastest growing segments of the electorate who are adamantly pro-Dreamer? Or will they come to the table to bring forth solutions and permanency for Dreamers?
The American people were clear about their rejection of GOP extremism and are consistent in their overwhelming support forDreamers and a permanent, durable path to citizenship. Now it’s up to Congress to deliver on a popular solution – before the end of the year and before the end of DACA.”
