Since the Trump administration terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September 2017, more than 17,000 DACA recipients have seen their protections expire. Congress must prioritize proposals that reflect our commitment to family unity and offer a pathway to citizenship for as many dreamers as possible – without jeopardizing other immigrant populations. Congress must also oppose any proposal that would prevent family unification, deprive dreamers of an opportunity to pursue a pathway to citizenship, or increase the immigration detention, deportation, and border militarization machine.
Our Members of Congress need to hear from us. Tell them to reject bills like H.R. 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act, and any proposal that would create a permanent underclass in America. Bills like this are not a solution for dreamers – but would drastically cut family-based visas, authorize a wasteful and superfluous border wall, expand mandatory detention, grow the deportation force, and remove critical protections for individuals seeking protection or asylum. Proposals that dismantle opportunities for family reunification are diametrically opposed to who we are as communities of faith.
Today is a critical time to urge all Members of Congress to support the Dream Act, or another bipartisan dreamer solution like the provisions contained in H.R.4796, the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, which would offer a permanent legislative solution for DACA recipients and dreamers who entered the United States as minors and have been continuously present since on/before December 31, 2013. H.R.4796 is also narrowly tailored to address a data-driven approach to border security and focus on accountable border enforcement. The bill would also increase the number of immigration judges to respond to the immigration backlog, as well as address root causes that drive migration of unaccompanied children from Central America.
Join us in reminding our representatives that they must do everything in their power to protect dreamers – without violating the sanctity of family unity or jeopardizing our immigrant neighbors.
Sample Phone Script:
“I am your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and [as a person of faith] I urge the Representative/Senator to oppose H.R. 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act, or any proposal that would create a permanent underclass in America, separate families, and remove protections for asylum seekers. Proposals that dismantle opportunities for family reunification are diametrically opposed to who we are as communities of faith. I urge your boss to support the Dream Act or another bipartisan legislative solution that offers a pathway to citizenship for as many dreamers as possible – without compromising family unity or other immigrant populations, such as H.R.4796, the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, which is narrowly tailored to protect dreamers and address a data-driven approach to border security. My community welcomes and values immigrants, and we urge you to do the same.”
Sample Tweets:
- [@legislator]: As a nation, we promised to protect dreamers and H.R.4760 fails to do so. Take a stand and pass the Dream Act or another bipartisan solution like the USA Act, and oppose any legislation that prevents family unification. #DreamActNow
- [@legislator]: As my representative, I urge you to reflect my community’s welcome for immigrants by opposing H.R.4760 and any legislation that harms and separates their families #HereToStay
- [@legislator]: The sanctity of family unity is a fundamental American value. We must oppose legislation that seeks to undermine it, and support solutions that protect Dreamers and their families. #DreamActNow
- [@legislator]: 17,000 dreamers have already lost status, and 122 more will lose protections every day. We must pass a permanent legislative solution that protects them without jeopardizing other immigrant communities.
Sample Facebook post:
“I am your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and [as a person of faith] I urge the Representative/Senator to oppose H.R. 4760, the Securing America’s Future Act, or any proposal that would create a permanent underclass in America, separate families, and remove protections for asylum seekers. Proposals that dismantle opportunities for family reunification are diametrically opposed to who we are as communities of faith. I urge your boss to support the Dream Act or another bipartisan legislative solution that offers a pathway to citizenship for as many dreamers as possible – without compromising family unity or other immigrant populations, such as H.R.4796, the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, which is narrowly tailored to protect dreamers and address a data-driven approach to border security. My community welcomes and values immigrants, and we urge you to do the same.”