Hoyer Marks Fourth Anniversary of House Passage of the DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today marking the fourth anniversary of the DREAM Act passing the House during the Democratic-led 111th Congress:

“Four years ago today, the Democratic Majority in the House brought to the Floor and passed legislation to end the threat of deportation for law-abiding, undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children and have known no other home than America.  These young people, known as ‘DREAMers,’ grew up in our communities and studied in our schools.  Many of them have no memories of living anywhere other than the United States and should not have to live under the constant threat of deportation from the country they love and want to help build.  Unfortunately, Republicans blocked the Senate from following the House’s lead in 2010 – and, four years later, House Republicans have still not allowed a vote on the DREAM Act or any other immigration reform legislation. That’s why the President took what legal steps he could to help many of these young people receive deferred action on their deportation proceedings. 

“The executive actions President Obama took last month built on those that helped many DREAMers stay here.  However, in order to find a long-term solution to our immigration challenges that keeps DREAMers and their families together and reflects America’s highest values and strongest ideals, Congress must take legislative action in the form of bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform.  As we mark this fourth anniversary of the passage of the DREAM Act, let us renew the call for Congress to fix our broken immigration system without further delay.”