We Will Not Be Divided

WASHINGTON, DC – The Executive Director of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL), Kenneth Romero, issued the following statement on the so-called “Bipartisan Budget Act,” which is an agreement between Senate leaders of both parties to keep the federal government from closing, but that leaves the issue of the 1.8 million Dreamers unaddressed, just weeks before DACA expires on March 5th:

“I oppose, and I will request that Hispanic leaders oppose, the budget deal reached by Senators Schumer and McConnell. I am aware that the deal does provide support for needs that we at NHCSL have been fighting for, including funding to Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, the US Virgin Islands, and California for disaster relief, resilient infrastructure, and a temporary stopgap to Puerto Rico’s Medicaid Cliff. I truly appreciate that progress. However, by continuing the open threat on almost 2 million American Dreamers who could lose all they have known in a few short weeks, the budget deal has struck a deep wound into a core principle of our Hispanic communities and into our unity as Americans. Dreamers deserve our unwavering support and they will continue to have it, just as they have given their unwavering support to the disaster relief needs of Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, the USVI, and California, and for keeping Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for so many other Hispanics. We will not be divided.”

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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.