Lawmakers Push for Immigration Reform to Safeguard Dreamers
Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are urging their fellow lawmakers to overhaul immigration laws, particularly to protect undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. The call for reform comes amid growing concerns over the treatment of these individuals, often referred to as Dreamers.
Kelly Criticizes Past Deportation Policies
During a recent news conference alongside other Democratic senators, Kelly criticized the mass deportation strategies employed during the Trump administration. He accused federal immigration agencies of unjustly targeting law-abiding residents, including children, entrepreneurs, and military veterans.
Highlighting Personal Stories
Kelly highlighted the distressing case of Annie Ramos, a military spouse and Arizona State University student, who was detained by immigration officials earlier this year. The incident occurred as she and her husband, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Blank, attempted to check into a military base in Louisiana. Born in Honduras, Ramos has lived in the United States since she was under two years old.
The Impact on Families and Communities
Blank’s mother, Jen Rickling, shared that Ramos is majoring in biochemistry at ASU and also teaches Sunday school. “The best way to describe her is as someone who brings light to everyone she touches,” Rickling stated, expressing her concerns over Ramos’s situation during the conference in Washington, D.C.
Call for Prioritization of Resources
Kelly stressed the need for the administration to prioritize the deportation of serious criminals over Dreamers. “What sense does it make to focus our time and resources on detaining individuals like Annie?” he asked, urging a shift in immigration enforcement priorities.
Challenges Faced by Dreamers Under Current Laws
In 2012, the Obama administration established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to shield children brought to the U.S. from deportation. Despite its inception, Congress has struggled to implement comprehensive immigration reform that would offer a clear path to citizenship for individuals like Ramos, leaving many Dreamers in a state of uncertainty. Ramos applied for DACA in 2020, yet her application remains unresolved amid ongoing legal disputes surrounding the program.
Calls for Legislative Action
Kelly asserted that it is time for Congress to take decisive action to provide Dreamers with the security they need to thrive in their adopted home. “We have the opportunity to pass laws that afford Dreamers the safety they deserve,” he remarked.
Government Defends Deportation Decisions
In response to the situation involving Ramos, the Department of Homeland Security defended its decision to detain her, stating, “She does not have legal status to remain in this country. This administration will not ignore the rule of law.” However, the agency acknowledged that she is now facing further removal proceedings.
Congressional Advocacy for the DREAM Act
At a recent forum, Gallego called on Congress to enact the DREAM Act, legislation that seeks to provide a legal pathway for Dreamers. Co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, the bill faces challenges, with Gallego accusing the previous administration of obstructing its progress. “What this administration is doing is essentially cowardly, knowing that Dreamers and the DREAM Act have broad bipartisan support,” he asserted, highlighting the need for more robust legislative support.
