In Live Streamed Event Presidential Candidate To Sit Down With Those Most Affected By Our Broken Immigration System
Washington, DC—Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is set to become the latest 2016 Presidential candidate to sit down with DAPA-eligible immigrants.
Senator Sander’s event is in part inspired by “DAPA Dinners,” a joint effort between America’s Voice, United We Dream Action and Center for Community Change Action/Fair Immigration Reform Movement, as well as state and local groups across the nation. The campaign provides a space for political leaders and candidates at all levels to sit down with DAPA-eligible individuals and learn about their lives, hopes, and dreams.
With DAPA and the expansion of DACA on hold due to a politically-charged lawsuit, families and leaders from across the nation launched the DAPA Dinner campaign to tell the human side of what is often a political or “policy”-oriented discussion. Every presidential candidate—both Republican and Democrat—has been invited to attend a DAPA Dinner. Members of Congress as well as candidates are also invited to host their own dinners. So far, at the presidential level, Martin O’Malley has taken up the offer, while Carly Fiorina has been the only candidate to officially decline. DAPA Dinners have also been hosted by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), with others in the works.
Today, December 7th, at 3pm ET, parents who would qualify for DAPA, in addition to a transgender undocumented woman and child refugee from El Salvador will share their stories of hope and resilience with Senator Sanders. The gathering was inspired by the “DAPA Dinners” campaign invitation but is being planned by Senator Sanders’ campaign. America’s Voice, United We Dream Action and the Center for Community Change Action/Fair Immigration Reform Movement are not paying for or coordinating with the campaign. Press inquiries should be directed to the Sanders campaign directly.
“With Senator Sanders and Governor O’Malley taking the time to sit down with DAPA-eligible families, all eyes are on Secretary Clinton as well as the Republican candidates,” said Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director of America’s Voice. “Will you sit down with individuals affected by the policies you’re discussing on the campaign trail? Our communities and families want to know.”
Said Kica Matos, FIRM spokesperson and Director of Immigrant Rights and Racial Justice at the Center for Community Change Action, “FIRM was honored that Sen. Sanders participated in its presidential forum last month telling hundreds of immigrant reform advocates about his plans to achieve comprehensive immigration reform as well as discussing his economic agenda where he committed to putting resources in underserved communities to reduce poverty. FIRM hopes that other presidential candidates will take part in these important dinners to see the people behind the policies they are promoting.”
For information about previous DAPA Dinners, see the following:
- Governor Martin O’Malley
- Senator Richard Durbin
- Representative Ruben Gallego
- Representative Bill Foster
- Find complete information on the campaign here.
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