‘This Is Not a Theoretical Peril, but in Fact an Immediate and Urgent One’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today 11 governors sent a letter to congressional leadership calling for the passage of a bipartisan legislative solution that allows recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to remain in the United States.
“We recognize the complexities and challenges created by this issue, but swift, successful action is needed, action that can build momentum to reassure policymakers that progress on other immigration challenges is possible as well,” they write. “We urge you to support these young American immigrants by quickly sending a signal that we want them to continue to play a productive role in our communities. As a bipartisan coalition of governors, we stand ready to help.”
The signatories also highlight DACA recipients’ critical economic contributions, noting that Dreamers “are working to support themselves and their families, paying taxes and contributing to their communities in a myriad of ways.” A study earlier this year estimated that ending protections for Dreamers would cost states billions of dollars, with each state’s economy negatively impacted by Dreamers’ loss of work permits and jobs.
The letter joins a growing demand for Dreamer legislation, including letters from House Republicans and prominent conservatives, as well as law enforcement, evangelicals, universities and business leaders calling for legislation that allows DACA recipients to continue contributing to their communities.
“Today’s letter is yet another reminder that support for Dreamers spans the political spectrum,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The governors are right about the urgency: Some of our neighbors, co-workers and friends are already at risk of deportation as their deferred action expires. Democrat or Republican, police chief or businessperson or pastor — the overwhelming majority of Americans agree that protecting Dreamers is in our best interest.”