We need a clean Dream Act now

Two weeks ago, I was arrested.

I was arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with hundreds of other educators, leaders, clergy, activists and advocates — including leaders and members of our union from Florida and Texas — in an act of civil disobedience to demand Congress pass a clean Dream Act.

Why is passing this bill so urgent right now?

Because if Congress delays the bill until after Dec. 22, Dreamers will start being deported. It’s that simple. Any member of Congress who votes for a spending bill and leaves town without passing protections for Dreamers is voting in favor of deporting Dreamers.

In the last five years, the U.S. government has granted nearly 800,000 law-abiding undocumented young people, brought to this country as children, a two-year relief from deportation and a two-year work permit, both of which could be renewed. Until last Oct. 5, that is — when Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ intention to dismantle DACA began taking effect.

The young people covered by DACA are woven into our communities — learning in, working in, defending and contributing to the country that is their home.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says Congress can wait until March, but more than 11,000 Dreamers have already lost protected status and face deportation. On average, 122 more join them every day.

The young people covered by DACA are woven into our communities — learning in, working in, defending and contributing to the country that is their home. They study in our high schools, vocational and technical schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, and graduate and professional schools.

But they do so much more. They teach our children, care for our sick and elderly, contribute to their families and serve their communities. They pay taxes — by one estimate, as much as $2 billion each year.

Dreamers are Areli Zarate, who at age 8 escaped grinding poverty in Mexico and is now a high school teacher. And Lee-Ann Graham, who was 14 years old when she moved to this country from Trinidad and Tobago and is now a classroom paraprofessional in New York City. And Karen Reyes, who left Mexico at age 2 and now teaches deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Austin, Texas. And Jessica Esparza, whose parents brought her to the United States from Mexico without proper documentation when she was 11 years old; she started to learn English in seventh grade and, thanks to the DACA program, is now a registered nurse.

These remarkable young people did everything we asked them to do, and are now saving lives, teaching kids and growing our economy. And their personal bravery is inspiring.

Dreamers should be celebrated and supported; they are what make America great. Instead, they are being threatened with deportation back to countries some of them have no memory of or connection to, and they are being used as political pawns.

What possible social good could be served by throwing these brave, determined, caring young people out of the country? They broke no laws in coming here. They’re not allowed to break any laws and remain in DACA. They’ve had to face down their own fear and still figure out how to achieve and succeed. And each time they’ve applied for DACA, they’ve known, deep in their bellies, that the system might just say no. And still, they study, and teach, and care for others, and contribute to the civic life of their communities.

Dreamers should be celebrated and supported; they are what make America great. Instead, they are being threatened with deportation back to countries some of them have no memory of or connection to, and they are being used as political pawns.

Our union stands with Dreamers. The American people stand with Dreamers. A Public Policy Polling survey out this week found that 66 percent of voters support the Dream Act.

As we declared on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, the time to act is now. Join me in urging Congress to pass a clean Dream Act — now.