FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2017

CONTACT
Email: [email protected]
Juan Gastelum, 213-375-3149
Hayley Burgess, 202-384-1279

NILC Urges Senate to Reject House Spending Bill, Do Right by Dreamers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a temporary spending bill to keep the government open and running past Friday, when current funding expires. The four-week continuing resolution does not address urgent issues affecting millions of Americans, including a solution for immigrant youth, adequate emergency relief funding for disaster-impacted areas, or a full reauthorization of a vital health insurance program for children. The bill will now be sent to the Senate.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement:

“On the heels of the disastrous tax bill, the House voted today to keep hundreds of thousands of young people and their families in excruciating uncertainty and wondering if this could be their last holiday season together. That is cruel and shameful. Anyone who has claimed to stand with Dreamers who voted for this bill just endorsed their deportation.

“More than 13,000 immigrant youth have already lost DACA protections, including their ability to work and contribute fully to their communities. Americans across all sectors of civic life have raised their voices to tell Congress to enact a solution this year. With each passing day, more immigrant youth become vulnerable to deportation.

“It is now up to the Senate to take a stand and do what is best for the country and morally right. We urge Senators from both parties to come together and vote for a spending bill that includes the bipartisan Dream Act and CHIP reauthorization.”

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