LULAC Commends Senators Graham and Durbin on Dream Act of 2017
July 20, 2017
Washington, DC – On Thursday South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin introduced the Dream Act of 2017, a new version of the Dream Act to grant permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship to undocumented immigrants who arrived to the U.S. as children. The Dream Act of 2017 follows recent legal challenges against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from ten states that call on President Trump to rescind the program by September 5.
In response, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. issued the following statement:
“LULAC is proud to support the Dream Act of 2017 and commends Senators Graham and Durbin for their leadership in protecting the future of our immigrant youth. As the program faces new threats, it is more important than ever to reassure the current 780,000 DACA recipients that they will not face deportation and may continue to call this great nation their home. It is time for Congress and President Trump to show political courage and implement humane policy, particularly on this issue, which impacts innocent people who were brought to the U.S. as children. Living under the constant threat of deportation causes detrimental stress and keeps Dreamers from achieving their full potential. They are an integral part of our country’s economy, society and culture. We must not accept Congressional inaction on immigration. We stand by Senators Graham and Durbin and call on all Congress members to do the same.”
To qualify for the program under Graham and Durbin’s legislation, applicants must have arrived in the U.S. at the age of 17 or younger, attain a high school diploma or GED, and pass a series of criminal background checks. They must also serve in the United States military or be lawfully employed for a minimum of three years.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.