WASHINGTON, D.C. — The deep support for a solution for Dreamers stretches across the political and geographic spectrum. Case study: South Carolina.
In Rock Hill, evangelical Christians are scheduled to gather tonight to pray for the immigrants they serve in their community. In Greenville, participants in a Tuesday rally asked their senators and members of Congress to support the DREAM Act.
“The momentum is only growing. The time is now. Let’s end this year with a solution for Dreamers we can all be proud of,” said Meghan Smith, Program Director of South Carolina Test Prep in Spartanburg.
Legislators are listening.
“Rep. [Trey] Gowdy has consistently argued for a different analysis for those under the age of 18 at the time they came to this country,” Amanda Gonzalez, Gowdy’s spokeswoman, told the Greenville News. “He does not want to see children who were brought here before the age of legal accountability, and who have otherwise complied with the law, removed from the United States. He looks forward to working with his colleagues in the House and Senate to find a legislative remedy to this very important issue.”
Sen. Tim Scott, also quoted in the Greenville News, said, “Over the coming months, I look forward to working with my colleagues on immigration reform, which should include taking a firmer stance against illegal immigration, while also simultaneously developing a plan that will address securing our borders, our legal immigration system, and Dreamers.”
Earlier this week, 34 House Republicans sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan urging a solution for Dreamers by the end of the year.
“These efforts in South Carolina highlight the deep, broad support for a legislative solution for Dreamers this year,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “When lawmakers stand up for Dreamers who are integral to their communities, they earn the thanks and support of their constituents.”