Educators welcome bipartisan Senate legislation on immigration

WASHINGTON — Today Sen. Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Graham (R-SC) reintroduced the Dream Act, a bill that provides a roadmap to citizenship for undocumented people, including current DACA recipients, those eligible to apply for DACA, and other immigrant youth. 

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle: 

“America’s strength comes from our diverse and vibrant population made up of people from all backgrounds and races. Despite the pandemic, the economic crisis, and deliberate barriers put in place to keep Black, brown, young, and new Americans from voting, we came together in record numbers to choose new leaders, and now, we expect them to deliver on their promises and to govern for all of us.

“The reintroduction of the Dream Act is a necessary and good step towards ensuring a path towards citizenship for undocumented immigrants and much-needed protections for DACA recipients – including an estimated 15,000 educators who have continued to provide and sustain student learning during the pandemic. 

“That this bill was introduced again is a testament to the educators who mobilized like never before during the elections and the advocates, families, and voters who came together to demand the future we deserve, a future that works for all of us – without exceptions.

“All of us – students, educators and our communities – will stand to greatly benefit from the swift passage of this bill. Our families cannot continue to wait. Our students and educators cannot continue to wait. We are fighting for an America where We the People includes all of us.”

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org.