Presidents’ Alliance Applauds Reintroduction of Bipartisan Dream Act Sponsored by Senators Durbin and Graham

PRESIDENTS’ ALLIANCE APPLAUDS REINTRODUCTION OF BIPARTISAN DREAM ACT SPONSORED BY SENATORS DURBIN AND GRAHAM
Legislation would provide relief to upwards of 1.7 million Dreamers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2023
CONTACT: Diego Sánchez (diego@presidentsalliance.org) 

Washington, D.C.—Today, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, comprised of over 550 presidents and chancellors of public and private higher education institutions, is encouraged to see the reintroduction of the bipartisan Dream Act by Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Graham (R-SC). The Presidents’ Alliance is heartened to see renewed bipartisan efforts to provide an accessible pathway to citizenship for the Dreamer population – both with and without DACA. 

Permanent status is vital to protect these individuals, who have lived most of their lives in the United States. Dreamers are essential to a talented, educated American workforce, and expanding opportunities for Dreamers is good not only for Dreamers and their families, but the country as a whole. The timing of this bill is particularly crucial, as the DACA program continues to be under threat. 

Diego Sánchez,  Director of Policy and Strategy for the Presidents’ Alliance stated: “As a former DACA recipient, I know all too well the importance of efforts such as the Dream Act. There has never been more urgency than there is now, as the DACA program continues to be threatened, but also for all of the individuals who don’t even qualify for DACA. There are more than 400,000 undocumented students in higher education, a majority of whom do not have DACA. Every year, an estimated 100,000 undocumented students are graduating from high school. They need protection too, and so I urge our members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to find ways to create protections for these individuals. America is their home, and they need a pathway to citizenship and the protections and securities that are provided by permanent status.”

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The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to advance just, forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus levels that are consistent with our heritage as a nation of immigrants and the academic values of equity and openness. The Alliance is composed of over 550 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.