Presidents’ Alliance Statement on House of Representatives Passing the American Dream and Promise Act

PRESIDENTS’ ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSING THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT
Bill would provide relief to upwards of 4.4 million immigrants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2021
Contact: Jose Magaña-Salgado (jose@presidentsalliance.org)

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act, H.R.6, which would establish a roadmap to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients—protecting upwards of 4.4 million undocumented immigrants. The Presidents’ Alliance applauds the passage of the American Dream and Promise Act, including provisions related to: (a) expanding federal financial assistance, such as loans, which are critical to expand education access and equity; (b) providing relief for immigrant students with temporary immigration status (such as H-4 dependents); and (c) repealing barriers for states seeking to offer in-state tuition to immigrant students.

Louis Caldera, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “We applaud the passage of the Dream and Promise Act. It is morally just to recognize that children raised as Americans who become adults without legal status are currently placed in an impossible and untenable position that limits their human potential and our country’s ability to benefit from their drive and desire to make our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”

Jose Magaña-Salgado, DACA Recipient and Director of Policy and Communications for the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “The passage of the Dream and Promise Act represents the culmination of over two decades of organizing by immigrant youth and activists. Emerging from four years of darkness for the immigrant community, this legislation represents the promise of integration, opportunity, and home. This legislation is particularly impactful for the over 427,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education, including 181,000 DACA-eligible students. Through eventual green cards and citizenship, these individuals would finally, at long last, have access to federal financial aid, and states would finally be unshackled from restrictions that enact unnecessary barriers to offer in-state tuition. We now turn to our efforts to the Senate with a resounding message: inaction is unacceptable. The time for action is now.”

Christian Penichet-Paul, Director of the Higher Ed Immigration Portal for the Presidents’ Alliance, stated: “Today’s passage of the American Dream and Promise Act offers hope to millions of undocumented individuals, including those who came to the U.S. as children and have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives. The legislation is a common-sense solution with positive economic and higher education impacts that will strengthen the U.S. and make our economy more competitive. As highlighted in the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, undocumented students pursuing higher education help fill critical skills shortages and become better positioned to support their families, communities, and—as a result—the U.S. economy. This bill will ensure that undocumented students can contribute fully to campuses and communities across the country. The Senate must now move to protect Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED recipients from deportation and to ensure that they can continue to pursue higher education and work legally in the U.S.”

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The non-partisan, 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 immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus level 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 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.