WASHINGTON, DC — Today, FWD.us launched a new series of six TV and digital ads as part of its continuing seven-figure national ad campaign to urge Congress to protect Dreamers with a pathway to citizenship before the end of this year. The ads, which will run on TV and online in key states and D.C., feature Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients and business leaders in Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas urging Congress to take action this year.
The ad campaign builds on the strong and growing momentum for Congress to act to protect Dreamers this year, an urgent necessity after the recent 5th Circuit Court ruling determining the DACA program illegal, setting the stage for DACA’s imminent termination if congressional inaction continues. Congress’ failure to act would be a disaster for our nation’s roughly 600,000 DACA recipients and the nearly 400,000 DACA-eligible individuals throughout the country, along with their millions of family members, colleagues, and employers.
As part of the broader campaign, this week’s six-figure ad buy across multiple states will feature a broad range of voices urging Congress to pass legislative protections for Dreamers this year:
Florida: Guerds J., a Florida-based DACA recipient, is featured in an ad running in Florida and Washington, D.C. Thanks to DACA, Guerds taught through Teach for America and now works for a legal aid service organization helping small businesses, with the goal of attending law school. View the ad featuring Guerds here.
Maine: Iran M. is a DACA recipient pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Mainewith aspirations to attend law school and support social justice and environmental causes. An avid enthusiast of the great outdoors, Iran has been recognized for excelling in the outdoor leadership program Adventure Risk Challenge. View the ad featuring Iran here.
North Carolina: The ads in North Carolina feature Durham-based DACA recipient and software engineer Oscar R., and Jacksonville-based restaurateur Billy Sewell. DACA has allowed Oscar to graduate from college and build a career. In a separate ad, Sewell calls for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers because “it’s just commonsense” and will support “our economy and strengthen our communities.” View the ad featuring Oscar here and Billy Sewell here.
South Carolina: Jonatan R., a Charleston-based DACA recipient, is featured in the South Carolina ad. Thanks to DACA, Jonatan is a graduate of the Art institute of Charleston and works as an adjunct teacher and at a local non-profit. View the ad featuring Jonatan here.
South Dakota: Katherine E. is the focus of the South Dakota ad. She is a DACA recipient and current college sophomore who grew up in South Dakota. View the ad featuring Katherine here.
Texas: The ads in Texas feature Dallas DACA recipient and middle school teacher Azhalia L. and President and CEO of the North Texas Commission Chris Wallace. View the ad featuring Azhalia here and Chris Wallace here.
Without urgent action from Congress, hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients will be at risk of losing their protections, potentially being pushed out of the workplace, and cruelly separated from their families. As the lame duck session is underway, Congress must act now, before the end of this year, to protect Dreamers and ensure that they can continue building their lives here, and contributing to our communities and economy.