NHCSL to Congress: End Uncertainty for Dreamers Now

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) today released a letter sent to all Members of Congress urging them to approve a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers and end the uncertainty over their status urgently. As the March 5th deadline for the expiration of the DACA is here, Latino state lawmakers approved an emergency resolution to that effect during their 15th National Summit of Hispanic State Legislators that took place last week in Chicago, IL.

Dear Leaders and Members of Congress:

Enclosed, please find a copy of an Emergency Resolution unanimously approved this last weekend at the Annual Meeting of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL). It is entitled End the Uncertainty and Create a Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers Now. On behalf of the over 410 Latino and Latina state legislators from across the country, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands we write to urge you to do exactly that. All the Americans brought to this country as children who are only lacking your recognition on a piece of paper, as well as their American families and American communities, deserve that peace of mind. If you cannot create a pathway now, you must end the uncertainty in all those families and communities by extending the protections that the Dreamers were eligible for under the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program until you can reach that deal.

Dreamers are an integral part of the fabric of this country. The March 5th deadline for the expiration of the DACA is almost upon us. This is an American emergency and Congress must urgently approve bipartisan legislation to provide a permanent solution to this impending crisis.

The uncertainty faced by the 1.8 million Dreamers is not limited to them personally or to their families. It is incredibly disruptive to our nation’s economy and the communities where they live. Some of the most talented individuals in our nation are Dreamers. Take the case of Rosa Aramburu, who could be deported even though she is top of her class at Loyola Stritch Med School in Chicago. As the text of the Resolution states, “65% of DACA recipients attend school; 92% are pursuing educational opportunities they previously could not; and, of those recipients pursuing postsecondary degrees, 83% are pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, and 17% an advanced degree.” And, at least 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies employ DACA recipients.

We will be available for any hearings, rallies or press events you wish to hold in favor of a solution. You can reach us at (202) 434-8070 or at kromero@nhcsl.org. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 410 Hispanic legislators. For more information visit www.nhcsl.org.