First Presidential Candidate to Break Bread with DAPA-Eligible Immigrant Family; Visit Raises the Stakes for Other 2016 Contenders
Today, as the first candidate to join the new “DAPA Dinners” effort, presidential candidate Martin O’Malley made modern presidential history. O’Malley’s visit with the Ramirez family of Austin, TX represents the first time to our knowledge that a presidential candidate has visited the home of a family headed by an undocumented immigrant.
O’Malley joined Workers Defense in Action PAC and the Ramirez family of Austin, TX for a midday meal as part of the “DAPA Dinners” campaign – a new initiative by America’s Voice, United We Dream Action and Center for Community Change Action/Fair Immigration Reform Movement that invites all 2016 candidates, Senators, and Members of Congress to join an immigrant family for dinner on or around the one-year anniversary of the DAPA announcement on November 20, 2015.
Click here to see photos and tweets documenting today’s event.
The Ramirez family has lived in Central Texas for years and are active members of their community, both through their church and with Workers Defense in Action PAC. All of Ramirez children attended the University of Texas (or are currently enrolled there) and graduated at the top of their classes. Mrs. Ramirez is a stay at home mom and caretaker of the family. Her husband works in a recycling center and has worked in construction. The story of the Ramirez family is shared with countless other immigrant families across the country who would benefit from DAPA. Learn more about the Ramirez family here.
Today’s event between O’Malley and the Ramirez family serves as an important reminder of why other presidential candidates should take the time to sit down with the families affected by our broken immigration system and the injunction of DAPA/DACA expansion. The O’Malley campaign’s “DAPA Dinner” also raises the stakes for other presidential campaigns, including fellow Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and the entire Republican field. Will they show the same openness to meeting with DAPA families and hearing their stories?
- For photos and tweets documenting today’s event click here.
- For a copy of the invitation sent to each presidential campaign, click here
