U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and nine other female Democratic Senators wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell imploring him to pass the Dream Act before the Senate recesses in December. The letter, sent yesterday, outlines the many ways Dreamers contribute to the United States and how the threat of deportation specifically impacts women and their families.
“There is bipartisan support for Dreamers who have grown up as Americans and know only this country as their home. They are enrolled in our colleges, serving in our military, contributing to our economy and leading lawful, productive lives. It has been over two months since President Trump rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program and we have yet to see a Republican legislative plan to fix DACA. As mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers, we are particularly concerned about the harm immigrant women and young children face with the rescission of DACA.
The letter says that women make up 53 percent of DACA recipients, and according to the largest DACA recipient survey, 25.7 percent of DACA recipients have a child who is an American citizen. The same survey also shows that 91 percent of DACA recipients are employed, and 68 percent said their DACA status allowed them to get a better paying job. In addition, 65 percent said their DACA status allowed them to pursue education opportunities that they previously could not have and 32.1 percent are currently pursuing their bachelor’s or graduate degrees.
“Through the DACA program, immigrant women have been able to secure jobs and educational opportunities that allow them to provide for themselves and their families…Without the Dream Act, women will face extreme difficulty making end meet for their families…
“Dreamers should not be threatened with detention and deportation. Immigrant women contribute so much to our society and we cannot let them down. Congress should immediately consider legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers.
There is absolutely no doubt that America will benefit from passage of the Dream Act, and too much is at stake not to act. We urge you to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for consideration as soon as possible.”
Other Senators who sent the letter include Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Just last month, Gov. Inslee also showed his support for the Dream Act in an op-ed he wrote with Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.
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