WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Organization for Women applauds the House of Representatives for passing the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021. This is a vital first step in permanently protecting undocumented immigrants from the threat of deportation. These immigrants – the Dreamers, were brought to this country as children and are as American as anyone born here. Despite the invaluable contributions they make to their communities, they’re forced to live in the shadows because of their status.
President Obama made the brave decision to sign the executive order that established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), protecting millions of Dreamers from deportation. But the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the landmark program was a reminder of how vulnerable it is, and that it’s a temporary solution to a greater problem for asylum seekers.
Congress must take action and make DACA the law of the land, permanently. Dreamers live, study, and work as Americans and they should be afforded the same rights and protections as citizens. They deserve to breathe a sigh of relief instead of feeling overwhelming anxiety with every new presidential administration.
Now we wait for the Senate to debate and vote on this critical bill. We hope they vote like they know that millions of lives are depending on it, because they are.