Biden said he is proud of the Dreamers and the contributions they have made to the United States as another anniversary of DACA marks
By Maria Ortiz | La Opinion | June 15, 2024 | Photo Courtesy of Lenin Nolly
President Joe Biden said Saturday in a statement released by the White House that he is “proud” of the contributions of Dreamers , immigrants who came to the country as minors, and expressed his commitment to “preserve and strengthen” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protects them.
On the occasion of the 12 years of DACA, Biden highlighted that this program has given more than 800,000 Dreamers the “ability to work legally, obtain an education, open businesses and contribute their enormous talents to make our communities better and stronger.” .
“I am committed to providing Dreamers with the support they need to succeed. That is why I ordered the Department of Homeland Security to take all appropriate measures to preserve and strengthen DACA,” the president said.
He added that his Administration continues to “vigorously defend the DACA rule in the courts.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also defended DACA in a statement, where he said the program “has allowed hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to live without fear” in this country, “the only home many have ever known.”
Biden also mentioned that the Department of Health took “the historic step” of expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage for DACA recipients through the Affordable Care Act.
And he recalled that on the first day of his Administration he sent a “comprehensive immigration reform plan to Congress” to protect the 'dreamers' and their families.
But he noted that while he and Vice President Kamala Harris continue to fight for the rights of 'Dreamers,' "only Congress can provide permanent, lasting stability for them and their families," and Congress "must still act." ” .
Mayorkas also pressed that point to emphasize that “only Congress can permanently protect Dreamers and provide them with a path to citizenship,” so “a lasting legislative solution is long overdue.”
“Congress needs to act. Until this happens, the Biden Administration will continue to advocate for Dreamers to ensure they have the support and security they need to thrive,” Mayorkas said.
Several Democratic legislators also called on Biden to adopt urgent measures to protect immigrants covered by DACA this week.
Senator Alex Padilla and representatives Delia Ramírez, Sylvia García and Rashida Tlaib participated in a press conference of pro-immigrant organizations in Congress on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of DACA, which marks this week.
“The reality is that these children are no longer children,” said Ramírez, who is married to one of the 800,000 immigrants who came to benefit from this program promoted by former President Barack Obama (2009-2017) and which allows their children to work legally. beneficiaries.
