Grace Napolitano: “DREAMers embody our American ideals, our values, and everything we hold dear. They are proud servicemembers, students…”

“DREAMers embody our American ideals, our values, and everything we hold dear. They are proud servicemembers, students, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and entrepreneurs. The DACA program has allowed many of them to build a life here and make positive, significant contributions to the U.S. economy and their communities. DACA recipients, in fact, earn higher wages and will contribute an estimated $460 billion to the U.S. GDP over the next decade. It is no wonder employers and corporate America are demanding a solution. The economic case for passing the Dream Act is strong. It is not just the right thing to do for our economy, though; it is the right thing to do, period. H.R. 3440, the Dream Act, builds on these great successes and honors our history and our heritage, as we are a proud nation of immigrants from all over the world. Poll after poll reflects overwhelming support for allowing the DREAMers to remain permanently in the United States. Nearly 8 out of 10 voters, including almost three-quarters of Trump voters, agree on this. Only 14 percent believe they should be forced to leave. The faith community is also imploring Congress to do what is the right, compassionate, and just thing. Just this morning, I met with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who said this is about human dignity and how we treat people. They understand the weight of our inaction and indecisiveness. Anxiety and hopelessness continue to grow as the President dithers.…”