The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided temporary protection from deportation  for nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrant youth known as DREAMers over the past 10 years. However, the Trump Administration’s decision to bring an end to DACA in September 2017 and ongoing lawsuits put DREAMers at immediate risk of removal. Millions of lives are in limbo as people who call America home constantly face the threat of deportation. It is imperative that Congress acts to provide a permanent, legislative fix . 

Urge your Members of Congress to pass the Dream Act (S. 365), which would provide permanent protections for DREAMers.

Background:

DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, was created in 2012 and has allowed nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrant youth who were brought to the United States as children to obtain work permits, attend school, and contribute openly to our economy without fear of deportation. In many cases, these youth, known as DREAMers, grew up in the United States and want to give back to society and raise their own families in the only nation they know as home. By ending DACA and its protections, the Trump administration made DREAMers vulnerable to deportation or detention. The Biden administration restored the program in full, but the threat to the program remains; DREAMers still need permanent protections to ensure they can live in the U.S. without fear.

On February 9, 2023, Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham introduced the Dream Act of 2023 (S. 365), which would provide permanent protections for DREAMers. The bill has yet to be introduced in the House of Representatives.

If enacted, the Dream Act would:

• Provide conditional permanent resident (CPR) status valid for up to eight years for DREAMers who meet criteria spelled out in the bill. CPR would allow DREAMers to work legally in the U.S. and permit them to travel outside the country .
• Automatically grant CPR to current DACA recipients.
• Permit those with CPR to then obtain lawful permanent resident status (LPR, also known as obtaining a green card) if they meet criteria such as attending college, working in the U.S., or serving in the U.S. military.

Tell your Members of Congress to pass permanent protections for DREAMers!

Jewish Values

Hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, is an important principle in Judaism. We see this modeled by Abraham and Sarah, who opened their tent to three mysterious visitors. This principle compels many Jews today to welcome immigrants and refugees.

You can contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Rachel Klein at (202) 387-2800 or rklein@rac.org for more information.

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