Presidents’ Alliance Statement on House Judiciary Committee Reporting the American Dream and Promise Act to House Floor

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FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
May 23, 2019
CONTACT: Jose Magaña-Salgado (jose@presidentsimmigrationalliance.org)

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee reported two bills to the House floor, including the Dream Act of 2019 (H.R. 2820) and the American Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 2821). These two bills represent the key titles of the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6), which would provide relief for upwards of 2.6 million Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. The House is now poised to merge the two bills and vote on their final passage. We urge the House to commit to swift passage of the final bill.

Louis Caldera, Co-Chair of the Presidents’ Alliance Steering Committee stated:

“We are grateful to the members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who believe that compassion and justice requires that Dreamers and other young people brought to this country as children and raised as Americans, who have demonstrated good moral character and a desire to be productive citizens, should be protected from deportation and given a roadmap to citizenship. Dreamers and TPS & DED holders are our students and alumni, and they contribute mightily to our campuses, communities, and nation; they are an integral part of our society and economy with much to offer our nation. By moving legislation to protect these populations forward, the House Judiciary Committee provides Congress the opportunity to—for once and for all—welcome these immigrants to be fully part of our country. We will continue to work with civic, business, and faith community leaders; and with Dreamers and nonprofit and congressional leaders to ensure these bills become law.”

Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director, Presidents’ Alliance stated:

“Students, administrators, and allies on campuses all across the nation are eagerly waiting to see what long-awaited steps Congress will take to protect Dreamers and TPS & DED holders. For our Alliance presidents and chancellors, protecting and harnessing the human potential of  these populations is an educational imperative and a deeply personal issue. Yesterday’s votes were a momentous first step. Now Congress must come together to enact permanent protections. This should not be a partisan issue. The vast majority of Americans support Congress establishing a roadmap to citizenship for longtime immigrants with deep ties to their communities.”

Jose Magaña-Salgado, Director of Advocacy and Communications for the Presidents’ Alliance, stated:

“Witnessing the markup in person on behalf of the Presidents’ Alliance, I saw firsthand Members of Congress make the case for protecting and embracing Dreamers and TPS & DED recipients as full members of the American family. They spoke eloquently to these young immigrants’ cultural and economic contributions to our country, and the long overdue need to establish a fair and accessible roadmap to citizenship. As a DACA recipient who earned a college and law degree and intimately recognizes the importance of higher education access, I extend my gratitude to the committee staff, Congresswomen Lucille Roybal-Allard, Nydia Velazquez, and Yvette Clarke; and Chairman Jerry Nadler for successfully shepherding these bills through committee.”

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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 430 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, representing over four million students in 41 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico.