Kelly Calls on Congress to Pass Permanent Solution for Dreamers

Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) held a press conference alongside TheDream.US to call for a permanent legislative fix for Dreamers as DACA processing delays, detentions, and deportation threats leave hundreds of thousands unable to work and live safely in the country they call home.

Jen Rickling, mother-in-law of Annie Ramos, was also in attendance to share her perspective as a mother and a community member whose family has been directly impacted by America's broken immigration system. Annie is a military spouse who was detained on base and Kelly helped secure her release.

Sen. Kelly speaks on Capitol Hill.

Watch the full press conference here. See key excerpts from Kelly's remarks below:

Kelly emphasized that enforcing immigration laws doesn't have to mean tearing families apart: "I think most of us, and most Americans, agree that we can enforce our laws without chaos in the streets or tearing hardworking families apart. And that our country would benefit from an immigration system that is fair and actually works. Instead, in Arizona and across the country, we've seen the targeting of law-abiding individuals including Dreamers, grandmothers, business owners, veterans- and even young children."

Kelly also highlighted the thousands of people like Annie still in detention: "There are thousands of people like Annie who were brought to this country as kids, with no criminal record, who pay taxes and contribute to our country, being held by ICE right now and facing deportation to countries they don't know. In what world does it make sense to focus time and resources chasing down and holding people like Annie, rather than serious criminals?"

Kelly closed with a call on Congress and the White House to act: "We can build an immigration system where people like Annie have a pathway to staying here without the constant fear of detention and deportation. A system that treats her and other Dreamers with fairness and dignity while ensuring our country remains safe and secure. That kind of progress can happen if Congress and the White House are serious about passing a long-term solution for Dreamers. And we can make it happen."

TheDream.US launched a new tool sharing Dreamer stories about DACA delays and lapses, which can be accessed here.