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Press Release: Despite Congressional Inaction, Dreamers Are Here to Stay
Posted on Dec 22 2017
St. Paul, December 22, 2017—Yesterday, Congress refused to pass a clean Dream Act that would have allowed nearly 800,000 young Dreamers a peaceful holiday season. Congress ignored thousands of people who have filled the streets of Washington and their own offices for weeks, demanding a clean Dream Act now, before the end of the year. They ignored the plight of 122 young Dreamers who become deportable each day that passes, almost 15,000 in total by the time Congress returns to Washington in January.
“We are deeply disappointed by Congress’s failure,” said John Keller, executive director of the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, “but this is not the end. Every new poll shows solid and growing support for Dreamers, across the country, among Democrats and Republicans. This year’s Congressional inaction is a setback but not a defeat. The Dreamers are here to stay.”
We need the skills, hard work, energy, courage, dreams, and imagination of young immigrants. Minnesota families, small and large cities, faith communities, colleges and universities, businesses and farms need thousands of young immigrants to remain in Minnesota; they in turn need Congress to pass a clean Dream Act in the first days of 2018.
Minnesota’s dreamers and allies showed inspiring courage and persistence over the past weeks. The struggle continues, past the disappointment of yesterday’s vote and into the new year. They will not give up now. We will not give up now
Here’s a New Year’s resolution for everyone who cares about these young people: Resolve to call your Congressional representatives on January 2 and 3 and every day until they pass a clean Dream Act, and give these young people permanent protection and a path to citizenship.
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The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) is a non-profit organization that provides immigration legal services to clients of all nationalities throughout Minnesota. ILCM’s work is based on a three-pronged model—direct legal services, education, and advocacy