Dreamers are American. Dreamers are home. Dreamers are us.

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement regarding today’s Supreme Court decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“As a proud immigrant—one of only 14 naturalized citizens serving in the United States Congress—who crossed an ocean by myself at age 16 because my parents so strongly believed in the best that this country could be, I know that Dreamers are American. Dreamers are home. Dreamers are us. Today’s Supreme Court ruling affirms that.

“This is not only a historic victory for the more than 800,000 people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but for all America. For all of us who benefit each day from the incredible, irreplaceable contributions that Dreamers make to our communities as DACA recipients are our family members, friends, co-workers, teachers, service members and neighbors. During the COVID19 pandemic, more than 200,000 have served on the frontlines. 

“For all of us who believe in the humane and moral treatment of immigrants, a vision that has been crushed by a cruel, xenophobic Trump administration again and again. For the ideal of an America inscribed in the Statue of Liberty, the beacon of hope for many around the world. Dreamers have been at the center of that: the face of inspiration, the demonstration of courage in the darkest of times, the beautiful people who put one foot after the other and push forward the change that is needed. 

“We celebrate this ruling, we thank all those who have been organizing on the ground nonstop for years, we honor the fearless work of Dreamers across this country who made this justice a reality—but our fight goes on. Our immigration story is one of struggle and resilience. We push boulders up mountains. We succeed because we have to.

“Over the last several years, we have witnessed unimaginable cruelty and heartbreak: children separated from their families, immigrants locked up in for-profit prison detention centers without adequate nutrition and public health, a Muslim ban, turning away from asylum seekers and refugees, a complete demonization of immigrants from every part of this administration.

“But today’s ruling tells us what I have long hoped: those of us who believe in an inclusive, pluralistic vision of America are winning. Particularly in this time of crisis, everyone—no matter their politics—is beginning to understand how our fates are intertwined. And this is just the beginning. 

“We must work to ensure this vision continues: the Senate should immediately pass the American Dream and Promise Act. We must affirm that immigrant rights are human rights. We must ensure family separation is ended once and for all, that we find humane and compassionate alternatives to the prison detention system, that we reimagine our complex immigration laws and that we honor the values of a nation that is a proud country of immigrants. 

“We celebrate this ruling; now the fight goes on.”

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Issues: Immigration