Congressman Adriano Espaillat Statement to Urge Vote on the Dream Act

Statement

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement today to urge Republican leadership to bring the Dream Act to the floor for consideration before the end of the year.

"DREAMers and DACA recipients positively impact every portion of our society, and more than 12,000 young people have lost their protection from deportation and their ability to work since the Trump Administration announced the end of DACA earlier this year," said Rep. Espaillat (NY-13).

"As someone who came to this country as a young child with my family, and having spent more than 20 years fighting for immigration rights, I take this issue personally. I remember arriving to the United States, speaking limited English, and being fearful of deportation. As a young boy in a new country, I never could have imagined serving in the United States Congress. I want this same opportunity for other DREAMers.

"More than 80 percent of Americans feel as I do and favor legal status for these young immigrants. Recent polls indicate there is an overwhelming support of DREAMers that crosses race, economic status and party lines.

"The DREAM Act would not provide automatic amnesty, but would give these young people a chance and a shot at the American dream. Passage of the Dream Act is a priority and should be included in the must-pass spending bill that Congress needs to approve by December 22nd. Much is at stake and time is running out for these young people. Unless Congress takes action soon to pass the DREAM Act, DREAMers -- many of whom have never been back to the places where they were born -- will become deportable from the only place they have ever called their home."

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