WASHINGTON, DC –The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of thirty of the leading Hispanic organizations in the United States, commends today’s announcement by the White House to halt the deportation of DREAM-eligible youth.
The White House initiative would stop the deportation of all undocumented immigrants who qualify for the long-stalled DREAM Act. Undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States before the age of 16, have been in the United States for five years, have no felonies, graduate from high school and younger than thirty would be eligible for both deferred action and work authorization.
“The White House took a courageous step today by ensuring that our brightest and most talented students will no longer have to live under the constant threat of deportation. And while we are heartened with today’s announcement, this policy does not alleviate the need for the passage of the DREAM Act or comprehensive immigration reform,” stated Hector Sanchez, Chair of the NHLA, “Executive action, though commendable, is only a temporary solution with inherent limitations. Moving forward, the administration must work cooperatively with both parties to reform our broken immigration system.”
In light of today’s announcement and a need to continue forward with the reform of our immigration system, the NHLA urges both parties to rally behind the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.
Established in 1991, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.
