Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), an original co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, released the following statement today after President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the Administration will halt deportation actions and grant work permits for certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, and do not present a risk to national security or public safety. Gillibrand joined Majority Leader Harry Reid, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin, and 19 of her Senate colleagues in calling for President Obama to halt deportations of DREAM Act youth last year.
“I was deeply disappointed when the DREAM Act was filibustered on the Senate floor. It was a missed opportunity to allow tens of thousands of young people who grew up here and know only America as their home to make a contribution to our country’s military and economy.
“These young people deserve better and I commend President Obama for taking action today. They deserve a chance at the American dream – to work hard, get a good education, serve in the military, earn their way to legal status, help grow our economy and keep our country safe. Now it’s time for Congress to put politics and ideology aside and strengthen our nation’s future and national security by finally passing the DREAM Act.”