AILA: Congress Must Pass Dream Legislation Before the Holidays

CONTACTS:
George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org	Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) urged Congress and the President to pass the Dream Act before the December holidays. Failing to act will hurt Dreamers, their families, and the businesses and communities that depend on them.

"Since the disastrous decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in October, nearly 12,000 Dreamers have lost their DACA benefits, and tens of thousands more will soon join them, losing their jobs and their protection against deportation," said Annaluisa Padilla, AILA President. "Now that Congress has eked out an additional two weeks to come to agreement on a funding bill for the federal government, they cannot delay any longer and must pass Dream legislation before the holidays. Waiting until next year is not an option. Every day that goes by, more DACA recipients are losing their protection and falling into the shadows, endangered by the deportation machine and harsh enforcement tactics. As poll after poll has shown, Americans want a permanent solution to protect Dreamers. No more excuses, let's get this done."

AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson stated, "Reaching across the aisle to come to an agreement on Dream is the right thing to do. Democrats resoundingly support it, and each day more Republicans are insisting on immediate action. Earlier this week, 34 House Republicans formally called on Speaker Ryan to act before the end of the year. In both parties, the votes are there to pass the Dream Act. Those who want to delay the vote until next year are just trying to block it. Eighty-six percent of Americans recognize that Dreamers make our country stronger and better and support moving forward on a real solution now. Let's stop talking about this as something that should happen and make it happen."

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 17120833.