Bipartisan Support for Dreamers Continues to Build as House Introduces Dream Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, FWD.us President Todd Schulte released the following statement on the introduction of a bipartisan DREAM Act in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, which would allow hardworking young immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors to apply for legal status and eventual citizenship if they meet certain educational or military requirements, successfully pass a background check, and remain in good legal standing:

“We applaud Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for introducing legislation to allow Dreamers who are already contributing to their communities to continue to live and work in the US. This bill builds on the important progress made by the Senate’s bipartisan Dream Act, which was introduced in the Senate last week, and the RAC Act. Americans across the country overwhelmingly support allowing Dreamers, who came to this continue as children and can go through an application process that includes a background check, to live and work in the United States. The threat of a DACA repeal is real and consequences for Dreamers are clear: either DACA remains in place or there is a Dream Act signed into law, otherwise the result is that nearly 800,000 young people would lose their jobs immediately and be subject to immediate deportation. Every member of Congress who stands with Dreamers should cosponsor legislation that protects these vulnerable young people.”

POLLING RECENTLY RELEASED SHOWS that support for DACA and Dreamers is at an all-time high, with more than 70% of registered voters supporting keeping DACA. Interestingly, that figure increases to 75% support when respondents are told that President Trump has continued this program, including 78% support among Republicans. Additionally, more than 81% of all voters believe that undocumented immigrants should be able to earn a pathway to citizenship if they can complete an application process and pass a background check. These findings reinforce polling from earlier this year, showing that 75% of Trump voters want legal status for Dreamers.