SOUTHERN BORDER --  Border Dreamers reacted with shock and dismay at today’s news that President Trump and Senate Republicans plan to exclude legislation that protects young immigrants with DACA during a critical end-of-year spending bill. This is a cruel delay tactic that further puts Dreamers across the nation at risk of deportation, as many of them are falling out of status now.

Itzel Guillen, Border Dreamer and Immigration Integration Manager at Alliance San Diego, a member of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, released the following statement:

“It is cruel, disheartening and unacceptable to continue to put the Dream Act on hold. Our lives are in the hands of Congress and the president, and yet we are continuously asked to wait while we remain uncertain of our futures. We need a clean Dream Act now without any additional border enforcement that puts our families at risk. It is critical that both Republicans and Democrats take action and stand strong in support of Dreamers, who were raised here, educated here and are contributing members of society. Every day that we do not have a clean Dream Act is another day that our communities continue to be at risk.”

Christian Duarte, Border Dreamer and computer science student from McAllen, TX,  released the following statement:

“It is appalling to see members of Congress betray thousands of Dreamers like myself. We are contributing members of this country and it is unfortunate that this administration is blocking our pathway to success. A clean and bipartisan Dream Act is the solution to a problem they created, through the removal of DACA. Not only do we need the Dream Act passed now, we need a Dream Act that does not further militarize our communities. Increased enforcement would only place our families in danger of harassment and deportation by Border Patrol agents. Furthermore, thousands of Dreamers are phasing out of DACA every day and are waiting for members of Congress to do what’s right. This administration can not continue to stall on passing this legislation.”

About Southern Border Communities Coalition

The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) brings together organizations from San Diego, California, to Brownsville, Texas, to ensure that border enforcement policies and practices are accountable and fair, respect human dignity and human rights, and prevent the loss of life in the region.

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