Home California Harris, Cortez Masto, Durbin Introduce Bill to Lift Ban on DREAMers Working for Congress

Harris, Cortez Masto, Durbin Introduce Bill to Lift Ban on DREAMers Working for Congress

by ECT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) on Wednesday introduced the American Dream Employment Act, legislation to rescind the current prohibition on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients working or participating in paid internships in Congress.

“The giant sign outside my office says ‘DREAMers Welcome Here’ because we know and value the contributions that these young people have made to their communities. But right now, those same young people are banned from giving back to their country by working for Congress. That has to change,” said Harris. “Government works best when it reflects the people it represents. Our nation’s DREAMers are some of our best and brightest, and it’s time they had the opportunity to get a job or paid internship on Capitol Hill.”

“Congress prides itself on recruiting the best talent to craft policies that address America’s greatest challenges. Yet, we’ve created obstacles that keep some of our brightest young minds from fully contributing to our country. The American Dream Employment Act would expand Congress’ talent pool, give Dreamers a seat at the table, and strengthen policymaking for all Americans,” said Cortez Masto.

“Since I first introduced the Dream Act in 2001, I have met hundreds of Dreamers who are giving back to their communities as teachers, nurses, engineers, and soldiers.  Many of them are dedicated to public service, and it makes no sense to deprive Congress of this homegrown talent pool,” said Durbin.  “I’ve been proud to have several Dreamers work in my office as volunteer interns and have seen firsthand how the people of Illinois would benefit if Dreamers could serve as paid employees in my office.  I thank Senator Harris for her leadership in introducing this critical legislation and look forward to working with her to make it the law of the land.”

The American Dream Employment Act would amend current law to include DACA beneficiaries as an additional category of individuals eligible for paid employment in Congress. This change would apply solely to employment in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), where it has 57 bipartisan co-sponsors.

The bill is supported by United We Dream, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the Fair Immigration Reform Movement, FWD.us, the Immigration Hub, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, the National Immigration Law Center, and Unidos.

“With programs like DACA, TPS, and DED, undocumented immigrant youth had the chance to live and thrive without the fear of deportation, but they were still barred from paid employment on Capitol Hill. The American Dream Employment Act is an important solution to this barrier, and this bill and similar proactive policies would open the door for immigrant youth to access opportunities within the halls of Congress. We hope to see congressional champions continue to address the structural educational and workforce barriers faced by undocumented people across the country. We also encourage congressional champions to dream big! Our communities need more solutions which reject sending more money to the deportation force and instead deliver citizenship, family unity, and dignity for all,” said Greisa Martinez Rosas, a DACA recipient and Deputy Executive Director of United We Dream.

In addition to Senators Harris, Cortez Masto, and Durbin, the legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Baldwin (D-WI), Bennet (D-CO), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Brown (D-OH), Carper (D-DE), Casey (D-PA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Hirono (D-HI), Klobuchar (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Menendez (D-NJ), Murray (D-WA), Rosen (D-NV), Sanders (I-VT), Smith (D-MN), Van Hollen (D-MD), Warren (D-MA) and Wyden (D-OR).

For further information on the bill, click here.

For full bill text, click here.

 

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8 comments

Tom Apr 3, 2019 - 7:31 am

More affirmative action. This time preferred jobs for dreamers. And please, don’t do anything for Americans.

do Apr 3, 2019 - 1:29 pm

Tom why would they do anything for us they don’t give a rats ass about us hard working American citizens they just want us to be mindless sheep and give our taxes to them and remain silent so sick of this bullshit

Suzanne Apr 3, 2019 - 1:17 pm

These “Dreamers” are NOT citizens of the USA! Congress works with a lot of classified information! ANY jobs requiring employees should go to AMERICANS. Period!

Lola Apr 3, 2019 - 1:49 pm

Wouldn’t you just know that Old Dick “Turban” Durbin would be involved in this. The so-called “Dreamers” and their illegal alien parents, should have been deported back to their homeland years ago! Trump has to get on top of this immediately.

Simonpure Apr 4, 2019 - 3:06 pm

Just crawl back under Willie’s desk. That’s all your good for Harris.

Brian Apr 4, 2019 - 8:14 pm

When will American’s matter again?

Richard Apr 6, 2019 - 10:09 pm

I sure wouldn’t look at those three to make America matter!

American Citizen Apr 13, 2019 - 7:41 pm

Dreamers are flooding in from the south every day. Let’s divide them up into three groups and send them to these three politicians dristricts. That’s about 300 thousand a year each. That’s because these dreamers need dream ees like Kamala Harris and her nimby group. Problem solved.

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