ACLU Statement on Congress Delaying Vote on Dream Act to 2018

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted to pass a continuing resolution until January 19 today, pushing decisions on a long-term spending bill and the Dream Act to the New Year. To date, more than 12,000 immigrant youth have lost their Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protections since President Trump ended the program back in September. An additional 850 lose their status with each week that a Dream Act is not passed.

Lorella Praeli, director of immigration policy and campaigns at the American Civil Liberties Union, had this reaction:

“Congress may believe they can delay a vote on the Dream Act without consequence, but time is running out for Dreamers. Now, thousands of young people have to go into the holidays wondering if their families will be torn apart, and will be forced to through another weeks-long purgatory of wondering if their loved ones might be deported.

“But there is still a path forward. It is incumbent upon both parties to come together by the end of January and pass a Dream Act. It’s long past time our elected representatives act. The ACLU is here and ready to continue to fight alongside Dreamers.”