Washington, DC — Today, America’s Voice hosted a virtual press event with leaders from TheDream.US and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to discuss concerns over this administration’s targeting of Dreamers and actions that have generated a climate of fear and uncertainty, discouraging international students from studying and succeeding at U.S. colleges and universities.
Also joining the discussion was Ximena Arias-Cristobal, the 19-year old TheDream.US scholarship recipient recently detained in Georgia. Ximena detailed her harrowing story and reminded attendees why she was unable to apply into the DACA program despite growing up in Georgia since age 4. “I am a daughter, a sister, and an avid runner. I have lived in Georgia for 15 years now and I attended Oglethorpe University thanks to TheDream.US Scholarship. Sadly I was detained by ICE at the Stewart Detention Center, a life-altering experience that left a mark on me emotionally and mentally. This isn’t just an immigration issue, it’s a human rights issue. People are being stripped of their dignity and basic freedoms and it is something we can not ignore. I am not just an immigrant, I am a human being, I am a Georgian, and I am an American without papers. No one should have to go through something like this. ”
Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO of TheDream.US said: “Dreamers are under attack. Ximena’s story is not isolated, sadly. In recent months multiple TheDream.US Scholars and Alumni have either been arrested, detained, and even deported. And, like Ximena, most of today’s Dreamers do not have DACA, including almost 90 percent of our current TheDream.US Scholars. These young people want to contribute to this country but instead they are living in fear. Is the answer really to detain Ximena or other Dreamers like her? President Trump says the border is secure. What’s stopping us from coming together around a rare point of consensus on immigration and delivering a permanent legislative fix for Dreamers like Ximena?”
Miriam Feldblum, President & CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration said, “What happened to Ximena is heartbreaking—and it is also a warning. Across the country, fear and uncertainty threatens undocumented and international students’ ability to continue their education. The United States thrives when it attracts, educates, and retains global talent. Dreamers, refugee and international students and scholars are vital to our campuses, as well as to our local and national economies. We need policies that uplift their potential—not actions that punish their presence. Now more than ever, we must protect Dreamers and international students alike and reaffirm that our campuses—and our country—are stronger when we welcome students with global backgrounds and perspectives.”
Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice stated, “Every day, America’s Voice tracks stories that capture the unfortunate reality that the deportation dragnet is increasingly targeting young Dreamers, including those who know no other home but America, who are in high school or college, who are in mixed immigration status families like Ximena’s. And the administration’s policy announcements and related actions have generated a climate of fear and uncertainty on college campuses, discouraging international students from studying and succeeding at U.S. institutions. A much smarter and more popular approach than detentions, deportations, and visa denials would be ensuring clear pathways for international students and citizenship for Dreamers. Let’s work toward those real solutions.”
- Access a recording of today’s virtual event HERE
Additional Resources
- Read the recent and relevant op-ed from America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cárdenas on immigration solutions.
