June 21, 2018
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and 26 organizations that collectively represent millions of Americans strongly opposed the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 (H.R. 6136).
In a letter to Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, the organizations cited troubling provisions in H.R. 6136, which would leave 82% of the estimated 3.6 million DREAMers out of a pathway to citizenship and fell short of President Trump’s promise to help up to 1.8 million DREAMers. The bill also did not end the zero tolerance policy set forth by the administration.
“H.R. 6136 provides only limited protection to DACA-eligible individuals, leaves the majority of DREAMers still in the shadows and is silent on the administration’s zero tolerance policy,” said HACU President & CEO Antonio R. Flores.
The letter further noted that the one-year filing deadline, coupled with a costly application fee would create unnecessary time constraints and a significant financial burden for applicants, and ultimately suppress the number of applications.
The signatories called for “legislation that provides DREAMers with a reasonable and fair pathway to citizenship, protects family unity, prohibits future separations, and ultimately has bipartisan support.”
To read the full letter, click here.
Signatories of the letter:
American GI Forum of the US
APPA, Leadership in Educational Facilities
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Council for Opportunity in Education
Hispanic National Bar Association
Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR)
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
MANA, A National Latina Organization
Mi Familia Vota
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
National Association for College Admission Counseling
National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE)
National Association of Hispanic Publications
National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC)
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Latina/o Psychological Association
National Migrant Seasonal Head Start Association
Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration
SER-Jobs for Progress National Inc.
UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza)