Another Bipartisan Failure to Protect Dreamers

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

WASHINGTON, DC - Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, once again let politics take precedence over the lives of real people, and has squandered another opportunity to protect Dreamers.

"Even though the vast majority of voters and constituents of members of Congress support measures to protect Dreamers, today's failure to act is another slap in the face to these young contributing aspiring Americans," said Annaluisa Padilla, President of AILA. She continued, "A bipartisan Dream Act was first introduced in 2001. It is appalling that nearly 20 years later, while Dreamers are still making America a better and stronger nation, Congress has not found the courage to provide them with protection from deportation, and secure for them the promise of a better life as Americans. Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for turning a blind eye to the need to really fix what needs fixing and solve what needs solving. That is a travesty."

AILA Executive Director Benjamin Johnson stated, "Today's stalemate is an abdication of leadership on both sides of the aisle, and we are left with only a vague plan to provide a solution in the coming weeks, with no commitment to make that happen. Every day since President Trump terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), 122 Dreamers lose their DACA protections, and every day that Congress fails to act, 122 more are placed in danger of deportation, often to countries they've never known, countries torn by violence or devastated by natural disaster. That is tragic and reprehensible. But Dreamers are just one well-known example of how the failure to lead on immigration harms our country. Every single day, families are separated, jobs are lost, and opportunities are squandered as a result of the failures of our immigration system. For years, Congress has kicked the can down the road, promising to take action 'tomorrow.' There are no more tomorrows, we must take action today."

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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. 18012244.