Senate’s DREAM Act Failure is an Affront to American Values

President Obama Must Take Immediate Steps to Protect the Rights of Immigrant Youth

Statement of Mary Meg McCarthy,m Executive Director, Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center

Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is disappointed by the U.S. Senate’s failure to advance the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Those who voted against the DREAM Act have betrayed our country’s core values of equality and human rights for children and squandered the energy and talent of thousands of youth who were raised in the United States, have become leaders in their communities, and seek to pursue the American dream. The Obama administration must not abandon these talented and inspirational youth and their families.

The DREAM Act would have established a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who were brought to the United States at a young age, completed high school, and attend at least two years of college or join the U.S. military. The bill would have allowed youth who were raised in the United States and have thrived in school to continue their education after high school graduation.

The movement that brought the DREAM Act to this momentous vote was led by thousands of immigrant youth who worked tirelessly to urge our country’s leaders to uphold American values of justice and human rights. Their efforts inspired the nation and the entire immigrant rights movement, which has faced increasing hostility as a result of the Obama administration’s harsh enforcement and detention policies. NIJC thanks these young men and women, as well as Illinois Senator Richard Durbin who has fought for years to pass the DREAM Act.

NIJC calls on the Obama administration to use its administrative authority immediately to ensure that all immigrant youth are able to continue to contribute to our communities and live safely in the United States. President Obama must enact humane policies and end unjust enforcement programs that are tearing apart immigrant families and resulting in unnecessary and inhumane detention of thousands

Though we lament Congress’ failure to provide the leadership Americans need to repair our broken immigration system, NIJC is committed to continuing to fight for the rights of immigrants and their families in the legislature, in the executive branch, and in the courts.

Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice Center is a Chicago-based nongovernmental organization dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through a unique combination of direct services, policy reform, impact litigation and public education. For more information visit www.immigrantjustice.org