Presidents’ Alliance Commends Rep. Roybal-Allard’s Introduction of the Dream and Promise Act of 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2019

CONTACT: Jose Magaña-Salgado, jose@masadc.com  

 

Presidents’ Alliance Commends Rep. Roybal-Allard’s
Introduction of the Dream and Promise Act of 2019

Bill Would Establish Roadmap to Citizenship for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status Holders

 

Washington, D.C. – The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration (“Alliance”) commends the introduction of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019; and applauds the leadership of Rep. Roybal-Allard; Rep. Nydia Velázquez; and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke. The Dream and Promise Act would establish a roadmap to citizenship for immigrant youth brought to the United States as children, commonly known as “Dreamers;” and for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, including individuals with over two decades of residency in the United States.

“Protecting Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED recipients is a common sense, urgently needed initiative, which has strong bipartisan support across the country,” said Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Today’s introduction represents a vital first step to establish a roadmap to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders. For colleges and universities, permanent protection for all Dreamers is particularly critical. Many DACA recipients and other Dreamers are deeply connected to higher education, as students or prospective students, and as alumni, family members, staff, or faculty of our schools. They are contributing daily to our campuses and communities, and seek to make lifelong investments in our nation.

Likewise, protection for TPS recipients is especially needed in light of the over 275,000 U.S. citizen children with one or more TPS parents, and the valued role of TPS holders in higher education as students and as part of the workforce. The Alliance commends the bill’s educational provisions, including expanded access to in-state tuition and federal financial aid; and we look forward to collaborating, on a bipartisan basis, to secure cosponsors and support for the bill. The Alliance is proud to endorse this bill.”

Importantly, the Dream and Promise Act contains a variety of the Alliance’s education and immigration priorities, including restoration of state authority to expand in-state tuition to immigrant students; and expanded access to federal financial assistance, including loans, work study, and services. The bill also establishes a grant program for non-profits, including universities, colleges, and law schools, to assist applicants. Finally, the bill provides the ability for students and others to travel internationally while an individual’s application is pending; and expanded protections from deportation for young immigrant children.

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The non-partisan Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings together college and university leaders dedicated to increasing public understanding of how immigration policies and practices impact our students, campuses and communities, and supporting policies that create a welcoming environment for undocumented, immigrant, and international students. The Alliance is comprised of over 420 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, serving over four million students in 41 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.