Reintroduction of the Dream and Promise Act Critical to Expanding Higher Ed Access to Immigrant Students

REINTRODUCTION OF THE DREAM AND PROMISE ACT CRITICAL TO EXPANDING HIGHER ED ACCESS TO IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
Permanent status critical for access to postsecondary education and professional licensure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2021
Contact: Jose Magaña-Salgado (jose@presidentsalliance.org)

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) reintroduced the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R.6) in the House of Representatives. The bill, which previously passed in the House in 2019, would provide protection for certain undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children and those eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). The Presidents’ Alliance applauds this reintroduction. We commend key improvements to the bill, including new provisions that would reduce barriers for states seeking to expand and maintain in-state tuition laws for undocumented and DACA students and the expansion in the number of people who would benefit. 

Jose Magaña-Salgado, DACA Recipient and Director of Policy and Communications for the Presidents’ Alliance stated: “As a DACA recipient, I am incredibly heartened to see Congress finally moving towards establishing a roadmap to citizenship for undocumented immigrant students. Reintroducing the Dream and Promise Act is  a crucial step in securing a more equitable future for undocumented students, both in regards to protection from deportation and access to higher education. We commend that the updated legislation reduces barriers for states to offer in-state tuition to immigrant students; and continues to provide robust protections for TPS holders. There are over 427,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education, including 181,000 DACA-eligible students. The Dream and Promise Act is paramount for these individuals to continue and complete their education, obtain necessary professional and occupational licensure, and excel in their chosen career path. The Presidents’ Alliance urges the House to swiftly pass this bill.”

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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.