Biden Must Protect Dreamers from Legal Limbo Despite GOP Pushback
Bold Action Is Required to Protect and Permanently Expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.
QUICK READ: An August federal regulation on DACA creates no permanent legal status for those enrolled in the program nor expands eligibility for the 1+ million young people waiting to enroll. DACA remains in legal limbo. Passing legislation permanently protecting all Dreamers must become a top priority.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Last week, President Biden extolled the virtue of Dreamers, calling them “part of the fabric of this nation.”
And yet, although the 2012 DACA program changed the lives of over 600,000 young people, an August 2022 ruling merely codifies the program through federal regulation and reinforces protections for Dreamers. It neither creates a permanent legal status for those already enrolled in the program nor expands eligibility for the 1+ million young people seeking to enroll for the first time.
DACA remains in legal limbo.
American Immigration Lawyers Association President Jeremy McKinney reiterated, “These regulations are essential, but laws are for lasting change. We need Congress to pass legislation permanently protecting all Dreamers—not just those who qualify for DACA under these regulations, but also the many others who have lived for years in legal limbo.”
President Biden’s attempt to enshrine protections for Dreamers through budget reconciliation last year was impeded by the Senate parliamentarian. March legislation passed by the House to protect Dreamers remains stalled in the Senate.
Although the August rule provides some stability to DACA recipients and complicates future administrative challenges to rescind the program, only federal legislation can fulfill the Democrats’ promises to Dreamers.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Dreamers are valuable pandemic frontline workers, students, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brave members of our military. Over 72 percent of voters support the DREAM Act. We must make DACA federal law and protect valuable young people in the only country they have ever called their home.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday. (DELAYED THIS AUGUST. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
FURTHER READING
Statement by President Joe Biden on Strengthening Protections for Dreamers - The White House
Final DACA Regulations Near Release After Clearing White House
DACA Final Rule to Be Published Aug. 30, with Limited Effectiveness
DACA is in jeopardy. Can the Biden administration save it?
DACA is 10 years old. What’s next for immigrant activists? - Vox
Biden administration issues final rule on protections for 'Dreamers' - Roll Call
Appeals Court Hears Case Arguments That Will Determine DACA Program's Fate
