Congress Should Not Postpone Relief for Dreamers

(Washington, D.C.) – According to press reports, Congressional leaders are considering a temporary, one year extension of protections for the Dreamers, given the difficulty in reaching a bipartisan compromise to provide permanent relief. The possible move to defer legislative action comes despite the strong support for permanent relief for the Dreamers – notably in a Monmouth University poll released today. According to the survey, 92 percent of Americans say it is important for Congress to reach an agreement on the status of Dreamers.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“Right now American families and communities are suffering because leaders in both parties have been unable to come together on compromise legislation to provide permanent relief to the Dreamers. With uncertainty about when – or if – these issues will be resolved, families of Dreamers are unable to plan for the future. Today, these young people are students, workers, and men and women in our armed services. They are supporting families, teaching in classrooms, serving our country. No one is helped when policymakers fail to come together on legislation to ensure they can continue to do so.

For all these reasons, it is critical that lawmakers come together on a compromise now – not kick the can down the road for another year. Instead of again taking the easy way out – and not solving this problem – our leaders need to come together and act. This debate has gone on long enough, and the policy options are clear. It is time for the president and leaders in both parties to take action – and deliver on certainty for the Dreamers and security for the American people.”

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4463

###