LEADER JEFFRIES: “THE AMERICAN DREAM AND PROMISE ACT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP FOR WHAT MAKES THIS COUNTRY EXCEPTIONAL”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke at a press conference, alongside Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia and others, in support of the discharge petition to force a vote on the American Dream and Promise Act.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you to Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, my good friend, for her incredible leadership on behalf of Dreamers, TPS recipients and DED recipients during a moment where, both because of the Trump administration's violent mass deportation machine and the Supreme Court's egregious decision as it relates to TPS recipients, hardworking immigrants in this country are under incredible assault. And the Dream and Promise Act provides an opportunity for us to continue to lean into what has always been the promise of America.

We are a gorgeous mosaic of people in this great country who come from all across the world. Out of many, one. That has been at the core of America and our journey from the very beginning, but now it's under relentless assault. Immigrants, who are hardworking in this country, including our Dreamers, contributing to the economy, contributing to the culture, contributing to the social and civic fabric of America, are being deported. DACA recipients being targeted by Donald Trump's violent mass deportation machine in ways that are unconscionable, unacceptable and un-American.

The American Dream and Promise Act gives us an opportunity to stand up for what has always been part of what makes this country exceptional: the fact that people from all across the world come here, work hard, play by the rules, contribute and uplift their communities. It's made America the envy of the world.

Donald Trump promised that his violent mass deportation machine would target the worst of the worst. But he's doing the exact opposite. Donald Trump, ICE and this violent mass deportation machine are targeting American citizens, in some cases killing them, and violently targeting law-abiding immigrants, including our Dreamers [and] TPS recipients.

And so, we're urging everyone to sign this discharge petition. The Dreamers deserve a vote. TPS and DED recipients deserve a vote. The American people deserve a vote. And as a result of the leadership of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, we have an opportunity to deliver that vote as part of our effort to deliver on the promise of America, keep the dream alive and make our great country the best version of herself.

Full remarks can be watched here.

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