Press Statement: Senate Begins Oral Hearing Over H.R.6 Dream & Promise Act
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2021
Contact: Diego Lozano, diego@alientoaz.org
Senate Begins Oral Hearing Over H.R.6 Dream & Promise Act
On June 15, 2021. The Senate Judiciary Committee began oral hearings over H.R.6 Dream & Promise Act. H.R.6 would allow nearly 650,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, as well as the 1.6 million eligible undocumented youth brought to America as children, a pathway to citizenship in the U.S. On March 18, 2021, H.R.6 had previously passed in the House of Representatives.
June 15th also marks the 9th year anniversary since the Obama Administration first announced DACA. For nearly a decade, Congress promised to provide a permanent solution to Dreamers and undocumented youth, yet year after year Congress plays politics and fails to create a permanent solution for Dreamers. Currently, the DACA program is in limbo as US Judge Andrew Hanen continues to challenge the constitutionality of the program.
It is imperative for Congress to pass HR6 or a permanent legislation for Dreamers that includes a pathway to citizenship, it should not hold Dreamers hostage for exterior motives or other agendas.
“It’s been almost 10 years since the 1st Dream Act Hearing in 2011. 10 years later I now have DACA and many of the young people I work with still remain without DACA protections or a pathway to citizenship. As you watch the HR6 hearing, please think of us. We are real people with lives, not political negotiations.” - Reyna Montoya, Founder + CEO of Aliento, DACA Recipient
“HR6 would not only provide a pathway to citizenship for me but it would allow me to live. Being undocumented is being in a constant state of survival being restricted to a list of cant's and cans. It is running an endless race where I am denied the simple right to breathe. HR6 would allow me to finally be accepted and fully contribute to a country in which I have always called home.” - Daniela Chavira, Undocumented, Aliento Fellow
“The passing of HR6 would mean that my bi-annual plans; since we currently live on a two-year timeframe, would evolve to a 10+year plan. This would also mean that I would be able to continue to provide for my family without the fear that tomorrow my job, my house, and all will be lost due to deportation.” - Susana Nava, DACA Recipient
“DACA has allowed so many of us to have some type of normalcy during the last nine years. For me, I was able to enter the workforce and help assist my family financially as well as pursue my higher education. While I hope that a more permanent solution is on the horizon, I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities DACA has provided!” - Adilene Lizárraga, DACA Recipient
We are asking our Arizona Senators Sen. Kyrsten Sinema & Sen. Mark Kelly to Support Pathway to Citizenship for Dreamers.
ALIENTO is a nonprofit leadership organization based in Arizona with a national reach that transforms trauma into hope and action with the dreamers, mixed immigration status families, the immigrant community, and allies through arts & healing programs, leadership development opportunities, and advocacy.