On Thursday, June 18, 2020, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos released the following statement, in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to keep legal protections for DREAMer immigrants, through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling today halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to end a widely-supported and life-changing program for hundreds of thousands of DREAMers–and more than 100,000 Illinoisans–is a victory for our entire Country. DREAMers have served in our military, opened businesses in our communities, and are helping our Nation on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as first responders, nurses, doctors, and essential workers. They are our neighbors, friends, and community leaders. For many, America is the only home they have ever known, and we are stronger because of their contributions.
“I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision, but we have more to do. I urge the Senate to join us in working to make permanent the DACA program protections, by passing the Dream and Promise Act immediately. For DREAMers and for America, it is simply the right thing to do.”
Illinois is home to 103,600 immigrants who are eligible for protection under the Dream and Promise Act. Together, they contribute $759,600,000 in Federal taxes and $547,900,000 in State and local taxes each year. Additionally, these households generate $3,292,900,000 in spending power.
Last year, Congresswoman Bustos helped pass the American Dream and Promise Act, which offers a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have spent much of their lives in the United States, those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED.)