New White House policy will allow eligible DREAMers and undocumented youth to defer deportation
The White House announced on June 15,2012 a directive that will defer deportation of undocumented yourth for two years, with the possibility of renewal. So many have worked hard on the American Dream Act to protect the DREAMers. young people brought to the U.S. as young children who wish to remain here as students and workers with legal status.
See this statement from the National Immigration Law Center: Obama Delivers for DREAMers and for Our Country
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano released a memo , June 15,2012 that speaks volumes and reaffirms what many advocates and many other advocates have been saying for some time: “Our Nation’s immigration laws must be enforced in a strong and sensible manner. They are not designed to be blindly enforced without consideration given to the individual circumstances of each case. Nor are they designed to remove productive young people to countries where they may not have lived or even speak the language. Indeed, many of these young people have already contributed to our country in significant ways. Prosecutorial discretion, which is used in so many other areas, is especially justified here.”
To read the full text of the announcement from the Department of Homeland Security:Click Here
The latest issue (6/25/12) of TIME Magazine features a full-length cover story written by Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize winning Founder of Define American, about the DREAM Act and what it means to be undocumented in America. The article and accompanying features highlight the stories of DREAM Act youth from all over the nation, who have worked hard to succeed in schools and thrive in their communities, yet are being held back by our corrosive immigration system.
Next Steps to Take Action:
- Send a Thank Note to President Obama! Thank him for his leadership in stopping the deportations and creating a path to citizenship for the 1 million DREAMers – young people who are the nation’s future doctors, lawyers, engineers and nonprofit leaders.This is an important step in working towards real immigration reform.
- Contact your lawmakers in Washington, DC(Senate & House) and urge them to work toward the enactment of the full DREAM Act.
Background Information: For suggested talking points and a sample message that can be printed or sent electronically, visit the Justice for Immigrants website.
