Late last week, the Feminist Majority Foundation joined 186 civil and human rights groups who signed onto a letter to Congress urging them to pass the DREAM Act without amendment.
The DREAM Act, introduced to Congress by Democratic Senator Richard Durbin (D – IL) and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R – SC), is a bipartisan bill that would allow undocumented immigrant youth — most of whom grew up in the United States — to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Former President Obama released a statement urging Congress to work together to pass legislation to protect DACA recipients.
The DREAM Act would provide an avenue for current DACA recipients to apply for permanent residency. The Act would also end the deportation proceedings of anyone who qualifies for the DREAM Act and children over five years of age who are in elementary or middle school.
Another piece of legislation that is meant to protect DACA recipients from being uprooted from their homes is the BRIDGE (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy) Act. The bill would allow immigrants to gain “provisional protected presence” if they are enrolled in an educational program, have a high school diploma or GED, or are an honorably discharged veteran. The bill was recently introduced to Congress by Senator Coffman, (R – CO).
After Trump’s decision to repeal DACA, protests have erupted throughout the country. Protesters in major cities have taken to the streets in support of protecting undocumented immigrants. From the Trump Tower to the White House, protesters have been showing up in solidarity with DACA recipients. Undocumented immigrants have also spoken at protests throughout the country about the implications of the repeal of DACA on their lives and communities.
Media Resources: American Immigration Council 9/6/17; The New York Times 9/5/17; NPR 9/6/17; The New York Times 9/5/17; National Immigration Law Center 7/24/17, 4/6/17; CNBC 9/5/17; The Leadership Conference 9/7/17
