WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior Member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, issued the following update on her efforts to protect our nation’s DREAMERS:

“As a long-time supporter of comprehensive immigration reform and advocate of protecting our young Dreamers, I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 4796, the Uniting and Securing America Act of 2018 (“USA Act”).

“The need to provide a permanent fix for those affected by Trump rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) Program is real and immediate. The consequences of Trump’s rescission have been staggering. More than 800,000 law-abiding, productive members of American society—124,000 of whom are in Texas—have had their legal status thrown in peril by the president’s arbitrary and capricious decision making. The effect on these Dreamers has been unimaginable. It is outrageous that Trump and Congressional Republicans have abandoned these young people. DREAMERS are in this country through no fault of their own, and largely live productive lives as good citizens. Yet, many of these young people live with the daily anxiety that comes with an unresolved legal status. Many are experiencing adverse effects on their health, and some have demonstrated suicidal tendencies. Merely discounting this reality is inhumane, and sacrifices compassion and empathy. It is time we end this mess, created solely by the president and his Twitter fingers, and bring certainty and closure to the lives of so many of these people.

“The USA Act, H.R. 4796, is merely one of many proposals offered by my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, which speaks to the bipartisan need to protect these young people who know no other home besides the United States. There are at least four other proposals offered by various members of Congress, in both the House and Senate. The bills are supported by various members of Congress and the GOP leadership has not permitted members of Congress to consider a DACA fix, either in the Committee process or on the floor of the House of Representatives. These bills vary in their breadth, their efforts to fix component elements of our immigration system, and have been offered by members from both sides of the aisle. Because of this, I urge the Speaker of the House to bring these varying proposals to the floor of the House under the rule known as “Queen-of-the-Hill,” whereby the proposal which garners the most votes should be reported favorably out of the House of Representatives.

“The time to find a DACA fix has long since passed and our nation’s young people are waiting for Congress to act. It is the humane thing to do.”