CAPAC Demands Passage of Clean Dream Act Before the End of the Year

CAPAC Demands Passage of Clean Dream Act Before the End of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) met with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Dreamers and held a press conference to urge the passage of a clean DREAM Act before Congress adjourns in December. Over 120 AAPI undocumented youth and advocates from all across the country participated in today’s convening, which included the largest number of AAPI Dreamers to ever gather at the U.S. Capitol. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released the following statement:

“I was so moved to hear from dozens of Asian American and Pacific Islander Dreamers during their historic gathering on Capitol Hill today to urge the passage of a clean DREAM Act. President Trump’s cruel decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has left the lives of nearly 800,000 Dreamers in limbo, including over 130,000 AAPI Dreamers from countries like South Korea, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and China who were brought to the United States as children through no fault of their own and who call this country their home.  Our nation’s Dreamers are Americans in every single way except on paper, and it is unconscionable to force these young Americans to go back into the shadows and face deportation to countries that they do not even know.

“Since its founding, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has been at the forefront of ensuring that AAPIs are included in federal legislation and policy discussions, especially when it comes to immigration.  And CAPAC Members are committed to finding a permanent legislative fix to enshrine DACA protections immediately.  Our caucus stands in solidarity with AAPI Dreamers and demands that Congress pass a clean Dream Act before the end of the year.

“We know that if the bipartisan, bicameral DREAM Act were brought to the floor today, it would have the votes to pass. CAPAC urges Republican leadership to allow us to vote on this bill and pass a clean DREAM Act immediately.”