My video statement can be found here.
What does it mean to be an American? To me, it means to have unending hope. The kind of audacious hope for the future that surpasses obstacles, challenges, and preconceived limits. To have a drive and work ethic that allows you to seize all the opportunities that this country promises.
When I think of what it means to be an American, I think of 20 year old Virginian, Jennifer Romero. Jennifer works for CASA In Action, an organization that advocates for pro-immigrant policies and politicians here in Virginia. She also wants to serve her country by joining the Marines one day and then become a teacher. She’s a fellow Virginian, young but politically minded, has hopes and dreams deeply rooted in this country, with a passion to serve the only community she has ever known.
Donald Trump and this administration do not, however, view Jennifer as an American, due to the fact that she illegally crossed the border into the United States from Mexico when she was brought here as a toddler. Irrespective of human compassion and empathy, our legacy as a nation of immigrants and of the great value that people like Jennifer bring to our communities, yesterday President Trump chose to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA.
Due to that action, Jennifer and 800,000 other DREAMers face an uncertain future, the threat of the expiration of their work permits and possible deportation to countries that they do not consider to be their home.
As President Trump has now abdicated his responsibility, and broken his own promise to “take care of those kids”, I now call on Congress to introduce legislation that will codify DACA as quickly as possible, so that lives aren’t ruined and families are not broken up. We as a country cannot allow the next six months to go by without addressing this issue. President Trump has once again manufactured a crisis and Congress must now do their job and clean up this mess before American families, businesses, and our economy pay the price.
The DREAM Act, which has languished in Congress for 17 years, came closest to being passed in 2010 under a Democratic majority. However, the bill was not able to pass the 60 vote threshold in the Senate required to overcome a filibuster. Although the bill initially passed the House with a simple majority, our own Rob Wittman voted ‘No’ and opposed the DREAM Act.
Rep. Wittman and his Republican counterparts have consistently shown that they have no intention of carrying out comprehensive immigration reform or, at a minimum, dealing with immigrants who came to this country as minors who have proven that they are benefits to their communities.
Although Trump can seem to be an exaggerated caricature of a politician, when it comes down to policy, he is a pretty standard Republican. His decision to end DACA and imperil hundreds of thousands of Americans is in line with the GOP’s recent history. Just today, Rep. Wittman released a statement applauding President Trump’s action and echoing the same talking points that we heard from Attorney General Sessions yesterday. With this statement affirming the end of DACA and his ‘Yes’ vote on the Republican healthcare bill, Rep. Wittman has consistently proven that he will reliably fall in line behind Trump and support his actions no matter the damage to Americans, this district, or the country. Ideological differences aside, gone are the days when empathy and compassion were shared values, no matter the party.
Congress must work in a bipartisan way to ensure that legislation is passed to protect those enrolled in DACA ahead of President Trump’s March deadline. Once their livelihoods have been secured, we must then push forward and bring the DREAM Act back to the floor, and make its passage a priority.
DREAMers, I stand with you.
I will continue to march and protest on your behalf. Securing your status as Americans, with inalienable rights, will always be a priority of mine. I will fight for you as a private citizen, and that fight will continue once we’ve defeated Rob Wittman next November.
Stay strong. Stand together. Continue to resist, and we shall overcome.