SPLC Action: Dream & Promise Act Can Unite Communities & Move Our Nation Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Senate Judiciary Committee considers the Dream and Promise Act, SPLC Action Fund urges the Committee and the full Senate to pass the bill and send the legislation to President’s Biden for his signature.
The following statement is from Katrina Huber, project coordinator for the SPLC’s Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative and SPLC’s Action Fund.
“Black, Brown and Indigenous communities and activists have long advocated for a pathway to citizenship for immigrants and their families. The Dream and Promise Act speaks to the power of these communities and is an important step forward for a country that has fallen short of realizing its stated ideals of freedom, opportunity, and justice for all.
“Key provisions of this bill enjoy broad bipartisan and public support. Most people agree Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders should have a path to become U.S. citizens. Americans agree that the essential workers and farmworkers who keep food on our plates, and those who have called this country home for years deserve a pathway to citizenship.
“SPLC has represented and advocated on behalf of many immigrants whose lack of permanent status has resulted in family separations, lack of access to public services, and even denial of academic scholarships. A pathway to citizenship is urgently needed for all immigrant communities.
“The Senate must heed the call from immigrant communities and move boldly and urgently to meet the moment. Our intentionally chaotic and cruel immigration system has harmed millions of immigrants, including Dreamers and TPS holders, and they have demanded justice for far too long. Now is the time. With an inclusive pathway to citizenship for immigrants and their families, we can unite communities and move our nation forward.”
The following statement is from Melani C., a DACA recipient who has faced challenges to obtain an academic scholarship to a university in the South.
“A pathway to residency and citizenship for DACA recipients like myself who encounter barrier after barrier to pursue advanced educational goals. I speak as a community member whose career was made possible through DACA, and whose projects and devotion to the special educational community will directly affect many individuals and families. I strongly urge the committee and the Senate to finally pass the Dream and Promise Act in order to fulfill the promise that this country truly is the land of opportunity and inclusion.”
