Katherine Clark: “DREAMers are young people who are fighting to give back to the only country they have ever known as home. They are not…”

“DREAMers are young people who are fighting to give back to the only country they have ever known as home. They are not political bargaining chips, and they didn't ask to be at the center of this immigration debate. They were brought here before they were old enough to know the difference. They grew up as our neighbors, our kids' classmates, and our friends. They are also taxpayers, teachers, medical students, and they are young people who are signing up to serve in our military. Let me tell you about some of the DREAMers I have met in my district. Richard Kim is a student at Tufts University. He was brought here by his parents from Korea when he was just 2 years old. His parents sacrificed a great deal in America--even becoming homeless and living in a car for a while--for the chance that Richard would have a better life than they had. Their son worked hard, got good grades, and, ultimately, was admitted into one of the best schools in the country. Now he is a freshman at Tufts University, studying international relations. One day, he wants to work here in Congress. Richard calls himself 100 percent American. In his words, he says: I grew up here just like everyone else. I want to make a difference in America because this is the place I call home. Let me tell you also about Mario Delgado.…”