[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 7, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H906-H965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MORTGAGE CHOICE ACT OF 2017
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 725, I
call up the bill (H.R. 1153) to amend the Truth in Lending Act to
improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection
with a mortgage transaction, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
[[Page H907]]
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1153
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mortgage Choice Act of
2017''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF POINTS AND FEES.
(a) Amendment to Section 103 of TILA.--Section 103(bb)(4)
of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(bb)(4)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``paragraph (1)(B)'' and inserting
``paragraph (1)(A) and section 129C'';
(2) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) by inserting ``and insurance'' after ``taxes'';
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``, except as retained by
a creditor or its affiliate as a result of their
participation in an affiliated business arrangement (as
defined in section 2(7) of the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2602(7))'' after
``compensation''; and
(C) by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:
``(iii) the charge is--
``(I) a bona fide third-party charge not retained by the
mortgage originator, creditor, or an affiliate of the
creditor or mortgage originator; or
``(II) a charge set forth in section 106(e)(1);''; and
(3) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) by striking ``accident,''; and
(B) by striking ``or any payments'' and inserting ``and any
payments''.
(b) Amendment to Section 129C of TILA.--Section 129C of the
Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(5)(C), by striking ``103'' and all
that follows through ``or mortgage originator'' and inserting
``103(bb)(4)''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i), by striking ``103'' and all
that follows through ``or mortgage originator)'' and
inserting ``103(bb)(4)''.
SEC. 3. RULEMAKING.
Not later than the end of the 90-day period beginning on
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Consumer
Financial Protection shall issue final regulations to carry
out the amendments made by this Act, and such regulations
shall be effective upon issuance.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). Pursuant to House
Resolution 725, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling) and the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and submit extraneous material on H.R. 1153, currently
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
{time} 0915
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1153, the Mortgage
Choice Act of 2017.
I would like to start out thanking my colleague, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) for his tireless leadership on this issue,
having ushered this very same legislation through our committee in
three different Congresses.
The purpose of H.R. 1153 is simple: to provide much-needed regulatory
red tape relief to our community financial institutions so they can
serve their customers; so they can provide them more mortgages. This is
a straightforward piece of legislation. It is practical, it is
necessary, and, Madam Speaker, it is bipartisan.
Now, you may hear today, Madam Speaker, from some of our Democratic
colleagues that ``we oppose the bill.'' We heard that claim in the
Rules Committee earlier this week. But I do find it interesting that no
amendments were offered during committee markup, nor were any
amendments offered at the Rules Committee. I remind all on the House
floor, Madam Speaker, that the Financial Services Committee favorably
reported this bill to the House with a strong bipartisan vote of 46-13,
which means almost half of the Democrats on our committee supported
this bill; and in the 113th Congress, Madam Speaker, this bill passed
by voice vote--not a single objection.
Madam Speaker, this bill would help make homeownership more
affordable for working Americans and would promote access to affordable
mortgage credit for low- and moderate-income families and first-time
home buyers. It does this while continuing to protect consumers.
The Mortgage Choice Act is needed because the CFPB wrote a flawed and
problematic definition that grossly miscalculates points and fees. The
result is that many mortgage loans, particularly those for low- and
moderate-income borrowers, would not meet the standards of a qualified
mortgage and thus not get made.
Currently, CFPB rules include affiliated title charges under a 3
percent cap when determining whether a mortgage is a qualified
mortgage, but it doesn't include unaffiliated. This does not make
sense. The CFPB rules are detrimental, again, to low- and moderate-
income borrowers and first-time home buyers since they are more likely
to have smaller loan amounts and, therefore, more easily trigger the 3
percent cap.
That means under the current definition, many mortgage applicants
will be denied homeownership opportunities simply because they do not
fit into the government box; or the only mortgages in the alternative
available to them might be at far higher interest rates, making them
unaffordable for many. In other words, the CFPB's defective definition
has ended up protecting many consumers right out of their opportunity
to buy a home.
H.R. 1153, from the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga), would
change the way points and fees are calculated by excluding fees paid
for affiliated title charges and escrow charges for insurance and
taxes. That would, therefore, Madam Speaker, increase homeownership
opportunities for borrowers by allowing more loans to meet the QM
standard.
Let's not just listen to me, Madam Speaker. Let's listen to our
community financial institutions that we expect to help our
constituents. A credit union from Washington explained how this was
affecting everyday Americans.
They wrote: ``A member at our credit union wanted to buy down his
rate on his mortgage with cash out of pocket at closing in order to
lower the payments for his retirement. However, doing so would have
made his total points and fees higher than allowed under ATR/QM, and
there was no allowable way around the problem.''
From my native Texas, a community banker wrote in and said: ``The
greatest frustration our customers have is our bank's inability to now
make home loans. For years we made loans to people for the purchase of
their homes. We would do about one every other week. So it was not a
large volume. It was a good service. We always made these loans to keep
in our loan portfolio. We never sold any home loans, but with the new
requirements for home loans, it has driven us out of this kind of
business. It has also taken us out of the construction lending on homes
because we cannot risk the risk of a takeout commitment failing. The
consumer is the loser.''
Indeed, that is true, Madam Speaker. As I mentioned earlier, Mr.
Huizenga has worked on this bill for the past two Congresses again. In
the 113th Congress, it passed by voice vote. It passed by an
overwhelming majority of 286-140 in the 114th Congress. I trust the
third time will be the charm.
I urge all of my colleagues to do what is right for our constituents
and to pass H.R. 1153 to provide open access for Americans to purchase
a home.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1153, the so-called
Mortgage Choice Act of 2017.
Unfortunately, this bill is yet another attempt to undermine the
strong consumer protections Democrats established under the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, taking us back to the
days of the subprime bubble.
While some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have
forgotten those days, I haven't. I remember how predatory lenders
targeted unsuspecting home buyers by hiding fees and obscuring loan
costs, tricking them into exploding mortgages and locking them into
loans that they really couldn't afford.
Millions of home buyers were steered into high-cost, subprime loans
even
[[Page H908]]
when they qualified for prime mortgages, and lenders didn't even bother
to verify whether or not borrowers had the ability to repay their
mortgages. They weren't required to do that, so they didn't. The end
result was rampant fraud on a massive scale to millions of foreclosures
and a tremendous loss of generational wealth, particularly for
Black homeowners. Some of my constituents are still struggling and
trying to recover from the financial devastation that occurred during
this financial crisis.
The last thing Congress should do is to open the door to a return to
these fraudulent and harmful policies, yet that is exactly what H.R.
1153 would do. This bill seems like a technical fix to allow affiliated
title insurance and settlement services firms to be excluded from the
qualified mortgage rule's 3 percent cap on upfront points and fees paid
by borrowers. But make no mistake, there is nothing technical about
this. In fact, this bill would allow title insurance companies to jack
up prices on borrowers and allow lenders to receive what would
otherwise be illegal kickbacks.
Under this bill, lenders, including repeat offender megabanks, like
Wells Fargo, would have new opportunities to reap huge financial
profits at their customers' expense by steering them into costly title
insurance policies that have no cap on fees whatsoever.
Prior to the enactment of Dodd-Frank, lenders were able to earn
tremendous profits through lucrative kickbacks paid by their
affiliates. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA,
prohibits giving a fee kickback or thing of value in exchange for a
referral of business related to a real estate settlement service. But
this kickback prohibition does not apply to affiliated companies of
lenders, like a title insurance firm. To avail themselves of this
kickback loophole, some lenders have bought or created businesses to
enable them to profit directly from the relationship.
So Dodd-Frank established the responsible underwriting practice of
requiring lenders to verify a borrower's ability to repay when they
originate a loan. Dodd-Frank also enabled lenders to obtain some legal
protections when making residential mortgages if those loans are
considered a qualified mortgage or QM.
To be considered QM, a loan must have terms and conditions that are
understandable to borrowers and not contain predatory features
considered to be unfair or deceptive. QM loans, for example, can't be
interest-only loans, longer than 30 years, or have balloon payments.
Specific to the bill we are considering today, the amount of upfront
points and fees on QM loans cannot exceed 3 percent of the total amount
of the loan.
In short, QM loans are supposed to be low risk, prudently
underwritten, and free from the type of features associated with those
predatory mortgages that trapped borrowers in loans they couldn't
afford and that led to the financial crisis.
The points and fees cap included under the QM definition includes,
among other things, real estate-related fees paid to affiliates of the
lender for services, such as property appraisals, settlement services,
and title insurance. Fees paid to affiliates of the lender pose greater
risks to borrowers since lenders cannot steer borrowers directly to
their affiliates without open competition, and higher prices charged by
affiliates directly benefit the lenders.
Affiliate title insurance is especially problematic. The title
insurance industry is notoriously opaque. Due to a lack of competition
and readily available information on terms and pricing, consumers do
not shop around for title insurance as they might for other products
and services. Megabanks, like Wells Fargo, have used title insurance to
take advantage of consumers through illegal kickbacks schemes.
The Consumer Bureau took an enforcement action in 2015 against Wells
Fargo and JPMorgan Chase, ordering those megabanks to pay more than $24
million in civil penalties and more than $11 million to consumers
harmed by their kickback schemes with Genuine Title, a now defunct
title company.
At the time, Director Cordray said: ``These banks allowed their loan
officers to focus on their own illegal financial gain rather than on
treating consumers fairly. Our action today to address these practices
should serve as a warning for all those in the mortgage market.''
Madam Speaker, these kickback schemes continue despite Congress'
efforts to shut them down, and would likely increase if H.R. 1153 is
enacted. Because H.R. 1153 would remove fees that are charged by a
lender's affiliate title insurance company from the QM fee cap, the
bill directly encourages lenders to, once again, steer borrowers to
their affiliates so they can extract even more money from them.
Now, supporters of the bill argue that, because individual States
provide adequate regulation over the title insurance industry, it is
unnecessary, they say, to have additional safeguards related to
affiliated title companies and the fees they charge. However, research
from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows that
State laws do not, by themselves, offer robust protection to consumers
with title insurance. More than half of all States don't even collect
data from title agents. Some States have ``no particular standard'' for
determining whether title insurance rates are adequate, and even a
couple, like Illinois and Arkansas, do not regulate title insurance
rates at all.
Congress should be strengthening prohibitions on kickbacks, not
weakening them. We should enable borrowers to get the best price,
terms, and conditions on mortgage loans instead of creating more ways
for these megabanks, like Wells Fargo, to gouge American consumers.
When Congress considered this same measure last term, the Obama
administration issued a veto threat, stating that the bill ``risked
eroding consumer protections and returning the mortgage market to the
days of careless lending focused on short-term profits.''
Madam Speaker, buying a home is likely the largest purchase most
consumers will ever make. For this reason alone, Congress should
absolutely reject proposals like H.R. 1153 that would permit
residential mortgage lenders to take advantage of borrowers trying to
achieve the American Dream.
Finally, a long list of groups, including civil rights groups, such
as the NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights,
as well as consumer groups at the National, State, and local level,
like Americans for Financial Reform, National Consumer Law Center, and
the Center for Responsible Lending, all oppose this so-called Mortgage
Choice Act.
So for all of these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me
in opposing H.R. 1153.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 10 seconds to say that,
if the ranking member would read section 8(a) of RESPA, she would
realize everything she said was false because it prevents any fee,
kickback, or thing of value.
Second of all, what she describes as a harmful and fraudulent policy
was supported by half of her Democrats, including her vice ranking
member, Mr. Kildee from Michigan.
Madam Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Huizenga), who is the sponsor of the legislation and the chairman of
the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Securities, and
Investments.
{time} 0930
Mr. HUIZENGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1153.
As someone who worked in the housing industry, in fact, for the third
generation, this is a very important issue to me and, more importantly,
to all of our constituents across the country.
The qualified mortgage/ability-to-repay rule, as mandated by the
Dodd-Frank Act, went into effect in January 2014. This QM rule is the
primary means for mortgage lenders to satisfy its ability-to-repay
requirements. Additionally, Dodd-Frank provides that a QM may not have
points and fees in excess of 3 percent of the loan amount.
So far, so good.
As currently defined, however, points and fees include, among other
charges: salaries paid to loan officers; loan level price adjustments,
as the chairman was talking about, which are traditionally known as
points; payments by lenders to correspondent banks, credit unions,
[[Page H909]]
and mortgage brokers in wholesale transactions; and, as has been
discussed, fees paid to affiliated, but not unaffiliated, title
companies; and--this is the one that is most bizarre of all--amounts of
insurance and taxes held in escrow. That counts towards that 3 percent.
As a result of this confusing and problematic definition, many
affiliated loans, particularly those made to low- and moderate-income
borrowers, would not qualify as QMs. Without that designation, it is
unlikely the loan would be made. And if it were, it would only be
available at higher rates, due to the heightened liability risks.
Consumers would lose the ability to take advantage of the convenience
and market efficiencies offered by one-stop shopping.
Hardworking Americans utilize one-stop shopping every day. They
partake in it. For example, in west Michigan, we have the headquarters
of Meijer. It is a great regional supermarket chain, and it is where
families across the Midwest go to buy groceries, pick up clothes for
the kids, and pick up auto parts. It is one-stop shopping that allows
you to get just about everything you need for your home.
Well, purchasing a home is one of the most important decisions a
family makes. Why shouldn't they have the same ability to take
advantage of that same cost-effective convenience of one-stop shopping
when buying a home?
I, along with Representative Gregory Meeks, reintroduced H.R. 1153,
bipartisan legislation to modify and clarify the way points and fees
are calculated and help families across America to one-stop shop.
This legislation is narrowly focused to promote access to affordable
mortgage credit without overturning the important consumer protections
and sound underwriting required under Dodd-Frank's ability-to-repay
provisions. As the chairman pointed out, also. The RESPA provisions
that are Federal law stay in place.
Very similar legislation overwhelmingly passed the House of
Representatives last Congress as well as in the 113th.
I think it is important to note that when we first introduced this
bill in 2012, it looked substantially different. However, working with
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we worked together to
improve the legislation. The result has been a truly bipartisan effort
at every step of the way in the legislative debate.
Specifically, H.R. 1153 would do a couple of things. It would provide
equal treatment for affiliated versus unaffiliated title fees. It
doesn't change the 44 States that have a regulated title insurance cost
structure. It doesn't change any of those costs that a homeowner would
have. It just allows them to actually go lower, rather than higher.
It also clarifies the treatment of insurance held in escrow. These
two simple, commonsense changes will promote access to affordable
mortgage credit for low- and moderate-income families and, indeed, all
families, especially first-time home buyers, by ensuring that safe,
properly underwritten mortgages pass the QM test.
Whether or not you supported Dodd-Frank, it is clear that the law is
going to require some tweaks to ensure qualified borrowers aren't
locked out of home ownership and the beneficial features of a qualified
mortgage.
The QM represents the best mortgage on the market. It is the gold
standard. And it should be the gold standard. We should want more
responsible people getting QMs, not fewer.
Quite frankly, this is something we should all agree on. In fact, we
did last year. Our bill doesn't touch any of the CFPB's strict
underwriting criteria. It doesn't, in any way, suspend a lender's legal
requirement to determine that a borrower has the ability to repay that
loan.
The ranking member points out a real problem that happened in the
industry and that, frankly, many of us in the industry warned of, but
this does nothing that allows State regulated title insurance to be
violated or any of those Federal steps regarding the qualified
mortgage. It, in no way, sidesteps RESPA or QM requirements.
Mr. Speaker, I must admit that I am completely baffled by the ranking
member's new opposition to this bill. This bill was very carefully
negotiated in order to receive bipartisan support, which the ranking
member voted for previously. In fact, she was so supportive that she,
along with 11 other Democrats from the committee, sent a letter, dated
August 1, 2014, to the Senate urging them to ``quickly adopt the
Mortgage Choice Act.''
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the letter of August 1, 2014.
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, August 1, 2014.
Dear Majority Leader Reid, Chairman Johnson and Members of
the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
On June 9, the House passed the Mortgage Choice Act (H.R.
3211), on the suspension calendar without objection. Senators
Manchin and Johanns introduced a companion bill, S. 1577 in
October, but it has not yet been considered. We support the
Mortgage Choice Act because of our concern about lower-income
consumers' access to credit and their ability to select the
mortgage and title insurance providers of their choice.
Passage of H.R. 3211 represents the fourth time that the
House has approved virtually identical legislation without
objection. In 2007 and 2009, a Democratic House majority
passed essentially the same provision in the Miller-Watt-
Frank anti-predatory lending legislation, and then a third
time as part of the House's version of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.
The Mortgage Choice Act simply excludes the cost of title
insurance from the definition of points and fees under the
Truth in Lending Act regardless of whether a title insurance
agent is affiliated with a mortgage lender or not. It also
clarifies that funds held in escrow for the payment of
property insurance do not count as ``points and fees.'' The
legislation is needed to ensure that smaller loans to
creditworthy low and moderate-income consumers can select the
mortgage lender and title insurance provider of their choice
and obtain a ``qualified mortgage,'' the gold standard for
all mortgages.
The bill authorizes the Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau to implement rules governing the exclusion of
reasonable title insurance charges from ``points and fees.''
It preserves the Bureau's strong enforcement authority to
require transparency and disclosure of affiliations and
charges under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
(RESPA). In fact, the CFPB has been vigorous in its pursuit
of RESPA violations, ranging from minor disclosure errors to
kick-backs for referrals by an unaffiliated title company.
We urge you and the entire Senate to quickly adopt the
Mortgage Choice Act to improve access to credit, enhance
competition among title insurance providers, and reinforce
the CFPB's authority to define what title insurance costs
qualify as excludable ``points and fees.''
Sincerely,
David Scott; Maxine Waters; Emanuel Cleaver; Henry
Cuellar; Daniel T. Kildee; Jim McDermott; Patrick
Murphy; Gerald E. Connolly; Michael F. Doyle; Betty
McCollum; Gregory W. Meeks; Gary C. Peters.
Mr. HUIZENGA. In the letter, she stated that the bill would ``improve
access to credit'' and ``enhance competition among title insurance
providers.'' Well, I couldn't agree more with the ranking member.
She talks now of kickbacks. I am confused as to how an affiliated
title structure, pricing structure, versus an unaffiliated title
purchase is somehow a kickback.
I am confused at how an escrow, money that is ours that is put into a
holding account to be used later to pay off debt, is a kickback.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Donovan). The time of the gentleman has
expired.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Michigan an
additional 30 seconds.
Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I wish I had time to yield to the
gentlewoman to hear that answer.
She is talking about megabanks. This is, frankly, just a red herring
in this whole thing.
Congress has the opportunity to help more Americans realize a portion
of the American Dream, not by some grandiose law or decree, but by
simply reforming a burdensome regulation. Home ownership has been a
pillar in American life for generations. Today, we can reaffirm that
pillar and reassert that home ownership can and should be an attainable
goal.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Meeks, and many
others who have worked so tirelessly on this to fix this flawed
provision, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1153.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct the chairman.
[[Page H910]]
He said that RESPA prohibits kickbacks. While RESPA prohibits paying
kickbacks to third-party title agencies, the law does not prohibit
payments to affiliated title firms. This incentivizes a title agency to
be affiliated so it can gain the payment option without violating
RESPA, including affiliated title insurance fees in the QM defines
points and fees caps, provides important market pressure to control
costs for consumers, and supports access to credits.
By the way, when we talk about RESPA, we are talking about the real
estate settlement procedures that define all of this.
So let's be clear again that, while RESPA prohibits paying kickbacks
to third-party title agents, the law does not prohibit payments to
affiliated title firms.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer), chairman of the Financial Services
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
Mr. LEUTKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga). He has worked on this bill for
some time, and I appreciate his commitment to the issue of access to
mortgage credit. His background is such that he understands this issue,
being in the real estate business and the retail development business.
So this is something he is passionate about and really has an in-depth
knowledge of.
I know Mr. Huizenga has seen in Michigan what I have seen in Missouri
and around the Nation: the regulatory regime governing the mortgage
market is growing overly complex and becoming, as a result,
inaccessible for far too many borrowers.
In a Financial Institutions Subcommittee hearing held earlier this
year, we had a situation where a credit union executive came in and had
a huge file about 3-inches thick. I asked him: Can you tell me how many
pages are in that file? He said: Congressman, we no longer measure by
the page; we measure by the pound. That is how out of whack our system
has become with regard to trying to make home mortgage loans.
These regulatory burdens associated with making home loans have
forced many institutions completely out of the market altogether. I
have a number of banks in my area that no longer make home loans
because of these overly burdensome rules and regulations and costs that
have to be passed onto the consumers.
The CFPB's qualified mortgage rule has had particular success in
limiting access to mortgage credit for many consumers who may otherwise
be deemed to be qualified borrowers. The Mortgage Choice Act seeks to
change some of this by increasing competition in the mortgage and title
insurance markets. This bipartisan legislation does so by clarifying
and recalibrating the points and fees limitations included in the Dodd-
Frank qualified mortgage framework.
The current situation doesn't make sense, Mr. Speaker. If a consumer
chooses an unaffiliated title insurance provider, the transaction
doesn't count towards points and fees. But if that consumer chooses to
work with an affiliated provider, it does.
Despite what you may hear, this arbitrary stipulation in the points
and fees definition doesn't protect consumers. It punishes them by
limiting and, in some cases, eliminating mortgage and housing options,
pushing more and more loans farther and farther away from QM status.
Like too many of the rules handed out by the CFPB, it is the consumer
that loses.
Simply put, the goal of H.R. 1153 is to help low-and middle-income
borrowers as well as prospective first-time buyers realize the American
Dream: owning their own home.
I thank the gentleman from Michigan for his leadership on this issue.
I urge strong support for the legislation.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the chair of the Committee on Armed
Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1153, the Mortgage Choice Act,
provides needed clarity to the calculation of points and fees for
qualified mortgages, or QM, especially for those companies affiliated
with real estate brokers.
Established under the ability-to-repay/QM section of the Truth in
Lending Act, H.R. 1153 would amend the definition of points and fees
and allow more loans to qualify, thus increasing choices for all
borrowers.
Chairman Huizenga's bipartisan legislation does not create a QM
loophole like some would argue. Instead, H.R. 1153 rightly attempts to
level the playing field, regardless of whether the lender is affiliated
with a title agency or not.
In addition, H.R. 1153 does not allow high-cost loans to qualify as
QMs. By allowing loans with the same points and fees to be treated
equally under the law, Chairman Huizenga's bill corrects one of the
many flaws of the post-Dodd-Frank era.
Thanks to the Mortgage Choice Act, it will now be easier for low- and
moderate-income Americans to buy a home. I commend my colleague,
Chairman Huizenga, for his bipartisan work on this issue, and I urge
all Members to support this legislation.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, for the life of me, I cannot understand why my
colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle would be in support of
anything that would cause a home buyer to have to pay more money in
fees when they are taking out a mortgage.
On a $400,000 mortgage, you are talking about you want to go beyond a
$12,000 cap, which is 3 percent? Why would you want to do that to a
homeowner?
What we are saying is, under QM and what we worked so hard to
establish, was to put a cap on all of these fees so that the
homeowners, the home buyers, would not be paying more than 3 percent of
that mortgage.
We think that is fair.
Now you want to open up the flood gates so that these title companies
can increase the amount of that they are charging and go beyond the 3
percent.
How much higher do you want it to go? Do you want them to be able to
go up to 4 percent or 5 percent with these homeowners who are paying
downpayments and who are trying to get into homes? Why is it you want
to expand beyond a 3 percent cap on the average hardworking home buyer
in this country?
I don't get it. I don't understand it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus), the vice chairman of the Financial Services
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
{time} 0945
Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H.R.
1153, the Mortgage Choice Act. As a cosponsor of the bill and the vice
chairman of the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
Subcommittee, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support its
passage.
As we all know, community financial institutions continue to close or
merge at an alarming rate. We just saw an article the other day that
about 1,700 branches across the country have closed, and to go through
some of the towns in western Pennsylvania where you see the only branch
closed is striking.
As we all know, community financial institutions continue to close or
merge at an alarming rate. Bit by bit, families across America are
losing access to vital financial products like home mortgages.
Regulations like the qualified mortgage, or QM rule, make it even
harder for Americans to get a mortgage and realize the dream of
homeownership.
For small mortgages, points and fees can often exceed 3 percent,
which leads these mortgages to be designated as higher priced non-QM
loans. This discourages financial institutions from lending to
Americans with moderate incomes and first-time home buyers; that is
why, because loans aren't there.
Chairman Huizenga's bill wisely addresses this issue by excluding
several items from the calculation of QM
[[Page H911]]
points and fees. The bill excludes charges paid to an affiliate of the
lender for title examination or title insurance services and insurance
premiums held in escrow.
By excluding these items from the calculation, the bill will allow
more loans to qualify as QM, opening up more credit to potential home
buyers, and it will facilitate one-stop shopping. This is good for the
community financial institutions that many Americans rely on for their
financial service products. It will help our constituents back home
access the funds they need to accomplish the dream of homeownership.
Chairman Huizenga's legislation provides smart, targeted relief from
the unintended consequences of burdensome regulations. Again, banks
aren't making loans. We want to encourage those first-time home buyers,
the moderate-income home buyers to be able to have access to mortgages.
That is why I support this bill, and I again urge my colleagues to vote
for the Mortgage Choice Act.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
I don't think I heard my colleague correctly when he said that this
bill had something to do with encouraging first-time home buyers. It
has nothing to do with encouraging first-time home buyers.
As a matter of fact, if we proceed with this bill that is before us
today that they are supporting, it will discourage first-time home
buyers and home buyers in general because what they are doing is they
are increasing the possibility for more points and fees that have to be
paid when we have a cap now at 3 percent, which any reasonable person
would know makes good sense.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Trott), a member of the Financial Services Committee.
Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan,
commonsense Mortgage Choice Act, sponsored by the Congressman from
Michigan (Mr. Huizenga). Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of
this legislation, which will make mortgages more affordable for low-
and moderate-income families.
In the wake of the financial crisis, Congress directed the CFPB, the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to create a definition for so-
called qualified mortgages. Congress wanted to ensure that consumers
were not sold predatory loans and that good faith investors were not
buying mortgages designed to fail.
Unfortunately, the Bureau's rulemaking drove originators from the
industry and made loans more expensive in the process. This burden will
fall mostly on low- and middle-income families, the very people the
CFPB was created to help.
The rule promulgated by the CFPB czar limits consumer options, causes
consumers to pay more, and does nothing to make mortgages any safer. It
is this sort of illogical rulemaking that makes Michiganders more and
more frustrated by what they see in Washington. We need to ensure that
our government prosecutes fraud, predatory lending, and unethical
practices, but it should not be in the business of undermining an
industry that plays such a critical role in the dream of homeownership.
You know, when mortgages become more expensive, it is America's low-
and middle-income families that suffer the most. Homeownership is the
cornerstone of the American Dream. It builds communities, provides
families with stability, and, hopefully, creates equity for retirement.
The government should be helping this dream, not creating silly,
illogical obstacles.
Over the past several years, I have worked with my colleagues to
refocus the Bureau on its core mission of protecting consumers. I am
glad that Acting Director Mulvaney has begun to do so, and I am
encouraged that Congress is doing its part to rein in this rogue
bureaucracy.
This bill does nothing to threaten the underlying safety of the QM
rule and does not erode vital consumer protections. It simply helps
ensure that consumers have choices to reduce their mortgage costs along
the way.
Now, the ranking member opposes this bill, as she believes it will
usher in a new era of fraudulent subprime, dangerous loans riddled with
kickbacks and inflated title fees. I am not sure how money held in
escrow would ever be a kickback, and her description of the title
industry is completely incorrect. It is a highly regulated industry in
most States, and the State that she mentioned, Illinois, is extremely
competitive and extremely regulated.
I am not sure what bill the ranking member believes we are debating
today, but the Mortgage Choice Act will not result in any of the
problems she describes--all great scare tactics, great theater, a great
political sound bite, but, unfortunately, all fiction, all inaccurate.
Her flip-flop on this bill is at least, at the minimum, very puzzling;
but, if everything she says is correct, I certainly feel bad for all
the Democrats.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentleman from Michigan.
Mr. TROTT. Mr. Speaker, I feel bad, if everything she says is true,
for all the Democrats who unanimously passed this bill in the 113th
Congress.
Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better than a partisan
discussion about something that is nothing more than a technical
correction of an unintended consequence.
Again, I thank my friend, Mr. Huizenga, for his leadership, and I
encourage all of my colleagues to join in supporting this bipartisan
solution.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
My friends on the opposite side of the aisle just dislike qualified
mortgage. They dislike QM. And a lot of the arguments that you have
heard had nothing to do, really, with this bill, itself, but more with
the fact that they have always wanted to dismantle the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau, who has the responsibility of implementing
QM.
So they will talk about everything from access to credit to you name
it, but it has nothing to do with the fact that they are here with a
bill that is trying to open up opportunities for affiliated title
companies to be able to charge home buyers more money than would be
allowed under QM.
The fact of the matter is we have a 3 percent cap on all points and
fees in the legislation that we created to protect homeowners--3
percent. Why is it they want to open it up so that home buyers have to
pay more than 3 percent on all of these points and fees?
As a matter of fact, I get questions all the time, particularly from
first-time home buyers asking me: What are all these points and fees
that I have to pay? Do you mean to tell me that on a $400,000 loan,
they are going to rip off $12,000 on points and fees or more? And we
have to explain that we have kept it to 3 percent.
But now they want to open up the floodgates, and they want to say
that these affiliated companies can charge more on points and fees as
it relates to title insurance. So I am opposed to it.
And for those who did not understand, who may have voted because of
the way that is oftentimes presented by the opposite side of the
aisle--and, as a matter of fact, it is obscured in the way that they
present it in talking about trying to help homeowners, trying to
protect homeowners, trying to open up opportunities. It has nothing to
do with any of that.
This is because the title insurance people who have wielded their
influence have come here to change the law so that they can raise those
rates and charge more money and have kickbacks, et cetera, et cetera.
This is what this is all about.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Davidson), a hardworking member of the Financial Services
Committee.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for H.R.
1153, the Mortgage Choice Act. This bill is another example of a
rollback of the burdensome regulations of Dodd-Frank and, many would
say, unintended consequences.
The 113th Congress, as Mr. Huizenga reported out--apparently, the
Member opposed feels that her colleagues were
[[Page H912]]
confused in the 113th Congress when they unanimously supported this
very same procedure, this same change to Dodd-Frank. Apparently, all of
President Obama's supporters were also confused into forgetting to make
the big investments they have made as a reaction to the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act that was recently enacted. So confusion must be rampant, but
let me clarify what this does.
It doesn't do the things that the Member opposed accuses it of doing.
Frankly, the market prevails here, not price controls from Washington,
D.C., nor a substitute that would say a nonaffiliated company could
offer the exact same product that the one-stop shop is barred from
offering.
So rather than have a simple procedure where a borrower could work
with one lending institution, they are forced to this array that
resembles the healthcare industry, where, instead of getting one bill
from one visit, you show up to do a mortgage and you get a bill from
five or six different entities, and it makes it more confusing.
The market lets people shop and say, ``Hey, maybe I could get this
product from someone else,'' but, unfortunately, without this change,
it blocks hardworking families from working with one relationship to
close on their mortgage. It adds one more piece in the web of
documentation required, and it adds one more thing to negotiate in the
relationship that is necessary to close on a mortgage.
The QM rule should not stand for ``quitting mortgages.'' It should
stand for ``qualified mortgages.'' The application of this has resulted
in small and community banks quitting the mortgage market for certain
types of loans, and this is hurting the families that the Member
opposed says she seeks to help.
I urge all of my colleagues to unite and support this rational,
limited modification that lets the market work the way the market can
work for the hardworking families of America.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Try as they may, they cannot explain to anyone why it is they want to
open up the opportunity for these affiliated companies to charge more
on these title loans.
As a matter of fact, again, I am going to keep reminding everyone who
is listening that, under Dodd-Frank, under the work of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau, under the qualified mortgage rule, all of
the work that was done after this country found itself in a position of
where we were in a recession, almost a depression because of what we
had allowed to happen in this country from some of the biggest banks
and financial institutions in the world, we discovered that there were
all kind of exotic loans, all kind of different kinds of loans that
were put together to entice consumers and home buyers to take out these
mortgages.
We heard about all of them: no-documentation loans where they didn't
even know where the consumer, the homeowner was going to get their
money from; they did not vet them, they did not know their employment
history, and on and on and on.
So the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is absolutely carrying
out the work of what Dodd-Frank was intended to do, and that is to
reform all of this and to make sure that consumers are treated fairly,
to make sure that consumers are not ripped off, to make sure that
consumers don't have a whole list of these fees and points before they
can even get their downpayments, incredibly, and have to pay over 3
percent and more in these points and fees as they are trying to access
a mortgage.
{time} 1000
This is all about keeping the cap on the 3 percent for all of those
points and fees. If you do what this bill is intended to do, you are
saying that you are opening up the opportunity for these points and
fees to be increased because of these affiliated companies that want to
take the cap off. I don't know how better to explain that.
My friends on the opposite side of the aisle would charge consumers
more with this bill. We on this side of the aisle are opposed with
that. We are saying that it is not fair to consumers. What you need to
do is let Dodd-Frank reforms work so that we can protect our consumers
and not have them gouged and increase the amount of money they have to
pay in these points and fees.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased now to yield 3 minutes
to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), a cosponsor of the
legislation and a great friend of the Financial Services Committee.
Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1153,
the Mortgage Choice Act of 2017.
This bipartisan legislation is essential to help low- and middle-
income families gain access to qualified mortgages. I commend Chairman
Hensarling and Congressman Huizenga for their work on shepherding this
bill through the legislative process.
Policymaking is complex, and Congress and Federal regulators do not
always get it right. We need to sometimes make changes to address new
issues and unintended consequences that arise.
As we have seen for the past few years, the Dodd-Frank Act--and let
me add that there are many of us in the real estate business and on
bank boards who saw the effects of Dodd-Frank not allowing banks to go
into the communities that need them the most--contains certain
provisions that fit one or both of these categories and must be changed
through legislative action.
One of these policies is the CFPB's qualified mortgage, or QM, rule.
The QM rule is intended to protect lenders from legal liability and
provide compliance certainty for mortgage loans that are low risk and
meet certain criteria. One of those criterion requires a mortgage
loan's total points and fees not to be in excess of 3 percent of the
loan's value.
Unfortunately, the points and fees rule often depends on who is
making the loan and how title insurance is obtained, which is confusing
for both consumers and businesses providing these services. Also, as
has been mentioned, insurance premiums held in escrow are considered
points and fees under the QM rule, which is ridiculous. That is like
saying that a parent who puts money in for a 529 savings plan for his
children's education is a car payment or a mortgage payment. It doesn't
make sense, but it discourages consumers from using this important
financial management tool.
H.R. 1153 would address these unintended consequences and provide
clarity for borrowers and businesses. I am also confident that the
CFPB, under the leadership of Mick Mulvaney, will ensure that this
clarification is effectively implemented if this bill is enacted into
law.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense fix so
that we can get the policy right and address the unintended
consequences arising from the future rule.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I
congratulate her on her extraordinary leadership as the ranking
Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. She has been a champion
for America's working families, protecting consumers, protecting the
taxpayer, and doing so in a very balanced way, sensitive to the needs
of all parties concerned. I am so proud of her leadership and her
service.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the bad bill for hardworking
Americans that is on the floor today. The cynically named Mortgage
Choice Act provides anything but choice. Instead, it raises costs on
consumers who have few alternatives. This is yet another attempt to
stack the deck even further against working families.
Mr. Speaker, this debate is another waste of time. Every day,
courageous, patriotic DREAMers lose their status, and, every day, the
American dream slips further out of reach. As Members of Congress, we
have a moral responsibility to act now to protect DREAMers, who are the
pride of our Nation and are American in every way but on paper.
I use this occasion as opposing this bill to speak further about
social justice in America. The American people want Congress to pass a
Dream Act:
Eighty-four percent of Americans support a path to citizenship for
[[Page H913]]
DREAMers or permanent status; 88 percent of Independents back the path
of citizenship or permanent status; and 70 percent of Republicans back
either citizenship or permanent status.
The three Bs--business; badges, our law enforcement community; and
Bibles--are imploring Congress to pass a Dream Act.
Earlier this month, I stood with evangelical leaders to call on the
Speaker to bring the Dream Act to a vote for the sake of family
fairness and respect for the spark of divinity within every person.
There is nothing partisan or political about protecting DREAMers. If
a Dream Act were brought to the floor, it would pass immediately with
strong, bipartisan support. I commend my Republican colleagues for
their courage in speaking out on this, yet our DREAMers hang in limbo
with a cruel cloud of fear and uncertainty above them.
The Republican moral cowardice must end. Members of Congress are
trustees of the people and of our Nation.
Why are we here if not to protect the patriotic young people who are
determined to contribute and to strengthen America?
So I am going to go on as long as my leadership minute allows.
I would like to speak to the Bible in Luke 10:25-37, the parable of
the Good Samaritan.
On one occasion, an expert of the law stood up to test
Jesus.
``Teacher,'' he asked, ``what must I do to inherit eternal
life?''
``What is written in the law,'' Jesus replied, ``How do you
read it?''
The lawyer answered: ``Love the Lord, your God, with all
your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with
all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.''
Jesus responded: ``You have answered correctly. Do this and
you will live.''
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus: ``And
who is my neighbor?''
In reply, Jesus said: ``A man going down from Jerusalem to
Jericho. When he was attacked by robbers, they stripped him
of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half
dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and
when he saw the man, he passed on to the other side of the
road. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw
him, passed on to the other side. But a Samaritan, as he
traveled, came where the man was, and when he saw him, he
took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds,
pouring oil and wine. And then he put the man on his own
donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next
day, he took out two Denarii and gave them to the innkeeper.
Look after him, and when I return, I will reimburse you for
any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you
think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of
robbers?''
The expert of the law replied: ``The man who had mercy on
him.''
Jesus told him: ``Go and do likewise.''
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one that has been used over and
over again to welcome strangers. Samaritans were not friends to the
person that the Samaritan saved, but he was a man of justice.
We all know how proud we are of America, as a land of opportunity and
the land of the American Dream, which, for decades and centuries,
really, has attracted people to our shores, to make the future better
for their families. In doing so, they subscribe to the vows of our
Founders. ``A new order of the ages,'' it says, on the great seal of
the United States, a new order, ``Novus Ordo Seclorum.'' That meant
that it was predicated on the idea that every generation would take
responsibility to make the future better for the next.
It became known as the American Dream and people flocked to our
shores, bringing their determination, their optimism, their hope, and
their courage, to make the future better for their families. In doing
so, as I said, they subscribed to the values of our Founders to make
the future better. That is why our country would be a new order for the
ages.
How proud we are to have the Statue of Liberty welcoming people to
our shores. In the words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the statue, it
says:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows worldwide welcome; her mild eyes command. . . .
Words that are music to the ears of everyone who loves freedom.
``Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!'' cries she
With silent lips. ``Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!''
With those words, America has been a beacon to the world, and how
proud it has made us. America is great, some say, because America is
good; and this manifestation of our goodness is one that is historic.
In responding to the call of our Statue of Liberty--who must, by now,
have tears in her eyes, having heard some of the debate on
immigration--I want to read about some of the DREAMers, who came to our
shores, maybe through land or by sea.
I want to talk about Luis Galvan. Luis came to the United States when
he was 5 years old and grew up in poverty. Today, he is an agriculture
ambassador at College of the Sequoias and is working to help students
improve their grades. Following the repeal of DACA, Luis constantly
worries about his ability to continue working in order to afford his
education. He is one of four siblings also attending college, who are
also DACA recipients.
Jacqueline Romo's DACA expires this month. Jacqueline was raised in
the city of Chicago. She is an undocumented American aspiring to earn a
bachelor's degree in graphic design. Her education is her priority ever
since she was in elementary school. Throughout high school, she had
serious doubts about her future, due to her status, but it never
stopped her from pursuing higher education. Jacqueline went on to
community college, working a part-time job and earning a few
scholarships that eventually added up to affordable tuition. Her
mother, a single mother, would not be able to contribute to
Jacqueline's education after high school, so it was Jacqueline's choice
and responsibility to work her way financially through college. Thanks
to scholarships like the Illinois Dream Fund, TheDream.US, and other
community scholarships, Jacqueline was lucky to follow through higher
education, something that most of her undocumented peers would not have
the chance to do. Jacqueline's dreams are the same dreams of other
undocumented Americans to persevere in this great country.
Hector Rivera Suarez is a DACA recipient from Greensboro, North
Carolina. He has been a DACA recipient for the past 6 years. This came
to an end on January 21. He is currently on track to graduate in May,
with a degree in philosophy and education. As a student body president
and honor scholar at Guilford College, it is part of his curriculum to
serve in the local community. He has served as an afterschool tutor at
a local community center that services predominantly the Latino
community, as well as assisting in classrooms at a newcomer school. His
plan after graduation is to enroll in Teach for America, since it is
his only opportunity to be a teacher while being a DACA recipient. Once
DACA was rescinded in September, these plans had to be delayed. Without
DACA, he will not have the opportunity to keep serving the community in
greater ways.
{time} 1015
Hector's DACA expires 5 days before the Teach For America January
deadline; this is why he needs there to be a resolution as soon as
possible so he can move forward with his plans of mentoring the future
leaders of America.
Mr. Speaker, I bring this up because, as you know, the discussions
and negotiations on the caps bill, the budget bill, are making progress
and, perhaps, soon to be coming to an end. And on that score, I would
say so far as what I know of it, the budget caps agreement, which will
be announced today, includes many Democratic priorities, actually
bipartisan priorities.
But with the disaster recovery package and dollar-for-dollar
increases in the defense and nondefense budget, Democrats have secured
hundreds of billions of dollars to invest in communities across
America. There will be billions in funding to fight opioids, to
strengthen our veterans and the NIH, to build job-creating rural
infrastructure and broadband, and to fund access
[[Page H914]]
to child care and quality higher education. That is something that has
been negotiated with our input between Leader Mitch McConnell and
Leader Chuck Schumer.
But Mitch McConnell also made a commitment to his Members that he
would bring up a dream bill to the floor of the Senate in an appointed
time. So why can't we have some kind of a commitment on this side of
the aisle that enabled the discussion to take place on a values-based
place?
Here, we asked the Speaker would he bring up the Hurd-Aguilar bill,
which is bipartisan, would win if brought to the House, has a
sufficient number of Republican cosponsors, thank them for their
courage to be public, but others who have said they would vote for it,
and we would like a commitment from the Speaker to bring it and any
other bills that he believes should be considered on the floor as well.
We could do it under a ``Queen of the Hill'' where the bill with the
most votes becomes the most prevailing bill to either support what the
Senate has done or to reconcile what the Senate has done.
That is a simple request. That is a simple request that the House
Democrats and, in a bipartisan way, others have joined in asking the
Speaker to bring a bill to the floor to give us that commitment.
Why should we, in the House, be treated in such a humiliating way,
when the Republican Senate leader has given that opportunity, in a
bipartisan way, to his membership?
What is wrong? There is something wrong with this picture. That is
why, this morning, when we took a measure of our caucus on support for
the package--well, we have to see all the particulars of it yet, but
there are good things in it--that it does nothing to even advance, even
with a commitment, without having passed the legislation first, to
advance bipartisan legislation to protect DREAMers in this House.
Without that commitment from Speaker Ryan, comparable to the
commitment from Leader McConnell, this package does not have my
support, nor does it have the support of a large number of members of
our caucus.
So then I go on to some other--I always am reminded in all of these
debates about our commitment to faith. In God We Trust, it says there
right over the Speaker's chair.
The Gospel of Matthew has been an inspiration to many of us on both
sides of the aisle in terms of what our values are and how we make
choices. And when, in the Gospel of Matthew, he writes: ``When the Son
of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on
His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and
He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the
goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, `Come,
you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world.''
Then Christ goes on to say:
``For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty
and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me
in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked
after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.
``Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you
hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?' ''
And the Lord says, when you see us--what did you see, a stranger and
invite him in or need clothing and clothing you, he's asking the Lord.
And when did you see sick and in prison, and did I visit you?
``The King will reply, `Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' ''
That is always important. Everybody knows that, the least of my
brethren speech.
However, the King does go on: ``Then he will say to those on his
left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me
nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a
stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not
clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
``They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help
you?'
``He will reply, `Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one
of the least of these, you did not do for me.' ''
It is not only positive of what you did, you did for me; it is what
you did not do. When I was a stranger, you did not help.
Then it will go into eternal punishment. The righteous will go into
eternal life.
So anyway, more stories about our DREAMers and why they honor the
vows of our Founders, why they deserve our support. We are just talking
about this discrete group of people, how they command the support of
the American people.
Itzel Verduzco Rojas is from Ponca City, Oklahoma. Itzel is working
as a medical assistant for a pediatric dermatologist and in school full
time trying to pursue a career in nursing. In addition to her job and
school, Itzel volunteers with CASA, City Rescue Mission, and Rebuilding
Together Oklahoma City to address issues of poverty and homelessness in
her city.
With DACA, Itzel was able to apply for a driver's license and work
legally. However, because her renewal application was caught up in
postal delays, Itzel has not yet received her renewal, and her current
DACA expired on January 20. Because of this, she will now have to take
a semester off from school, and she is facing severe disruption in her
life and the ability to support herself.
This is really important to note because the people--some of the
people in the White House have been saying nobody is being deported.
Well, we will see about that. But they are saying these people are
protected.
They are not protected. And you heard the characterization that the
President's Chief of Staff made about some of these people, about being
lazy or whatever it was.
I think, in our discussions on the economy, in a separate context, we
have seen how few Americans would be able to rise to the occasion
immediately if they had a $500 unsuspected bill that had come their
way; whether the water heater broke or whatever it is, it would be
challenging, it would be disruptive to their lives. It would be hard
for them to have an expendable, immediately expendable, $500. But that
is what it takes to sign up to what the President--the sign up that was
required by the President after his September announcement.
So it is not about being lazy. Or yes, it is probably about fear,
too. Mr. Kelly, General Kelly, mentions that. But it is about not
understanding the situation of fear and of contribution, the beautiful
contribution that people make, that the DREAMers make to our country.
Itzel came to the U.S. legally at age 7. She came legally and
attempted to adjust her status along with family. She aged out of
eligibility when she turned 21. She was able to apply for DACA during
her senior year of high school, which opened the doors for her.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dalia Medina immigrated to the United
States at age 11 from Mexico. She is a licensed mental health therapist
providing much-needed service to at-risk youth and families in New
Mexico.
Dalia is working toward an independent license to open her private
practice to continue aiding families in her State. She recently
obtained a master's degree in clinical social work and previously
earned a bachelor's degree in criminology and psychology.
All of these people are making such a wonderful contribution to our
society because they have courage, they have values, and they have
purpose in their life. These stories were given to me by our colleagues
as they have taken up the cause of many of these DREAMers. But it is
not enough.
We have no right to talk about DREAMers and to tell their stories and
take pride in their actions unless we are willing to take action to
support them, and we have that opportunity today by asking the Speaker
of the House to give us a vote.
What are you afraid of? Give us a vote. Let the House work its will.
Senator McConnell, Mitch McConnell, is enabling the Senate to work its
will.
[[Page H915]]
Why should the House of Representatives be constrained, especially on
such a values-based issue as who we are as a nation and recognizing our
biblical responsibility to each other?
Nicole Robles from Houston, Texas, she was born in Mexico. Her family
immigrated to the United States when she was 6 months old, and she
faces deportation. In less than 100 days, her DACA will expire. I am
anxious--Well, this is now much less than 100 days.
She says: ``I'm anxious because I am graduating high school in a few
months and I want to start college in August of next year. How will I
do that without my DACA?''
She says: ``There are so many barriers to higher education when
you're undocumented. With a Dream Act, undocumented students will have
a sense''--the Dream Act gives them a documented sense--``of security
and opportunity''--to go to school--``to get a job, to care for their
families, to continue their studies in college or university.''
``I want that security and opportunity. We deserve that.'' She
deserves that.
``And we need Congress by the end of the year so that we, more
people, don't reach their expiration dates.''
Now, let me say that we have talked mostly about education, people
working in education and social activities to help other people do
their best. But many of our DREAMers have served in our military with
great courage and great patriotism to the only country that they know.
Again, using my leader's minute, I want to make sure that the Record
is clear about what this debate is about. It is about honoring our own
commitment to the Statue of Liberty, to the Founding Fathers, in terms
of making this a land where one generation would take responsibility to
make the future better for the next.
And that brings to mind another person from Albuquerque, New Mexico,
Yuridia Loera. She said:
``Growing up, I was reminded of my immigration status every day by my
mother. Twenty years later, I realized she did this to prepare our
family for the imminent day that our family would face a deportation.
And that day could be today because my DACA has expired.
``DACA is what allowed me to pass through immigration checkpoints
safely. I am also a survivor of sexual assault--with DACA, I was able
to approach the police to report the person who assaulted me. Trump's
cruel decision to terminate DACA has put border residents and survivors
of assault in jeopardy. This is not how a country should treat
immigrant youth and our families.''
I just want you to know why we are making this plea. This is a human
plea to the Speaker, a prayerful human plea to the Speaker.
It is almost 40 hours. This morning, when I first met with my
colleagues in our meeting at 8, it was exactly 40 hours until midnight
tomorrow.
Forty is a number fraught with meaning in our religious lives. Forty
years, in the Old Testament, 40 years of Moses and the Jews and Aaron
in the desert; 40 days that Christ was in the desert himself; 40 days
is the length of time of Lent; and, therefore, 40 hours is a Catholic
devotion that many of us grew up with.
We have that same 40 hours, from 8 this morning until tomorrow night
at midnight, to be prayerful--to be prayerful--to show our purpose, and
to show why we are asking the Speaker for this vote.
I have great admiration for the work that is done in a bipartisan
way, on the budget, the bill; of course, it is not everything we want,
but there are many good things in it, and I just can't explain to the
DREAMers or to my colleagues why we should be second-class Members of
Congress in this House without a commitment from the Speaker that Mitch
McConnell gave to the Senators, that there would be a vote on the floor
to let Congress work its will.
{time} 1030
Are you afraid that the DREAMer bill will pass, the work of Mr. Hurd
and Mr. Aguilar working with other Members to shape a bill that would
recognize concerns that the President has and others have to put a
bipartisan bill there that should attract the support of the President?
Instead, we are hearing words that are hard to process from the White
House but, nonetheless, recognizing that we have to go down this path
together. We all believe that, as the Bible tells us, there is a spark
of divinity in every person and that we must respect that spark of
divinity.
Tomorrow will be the prayer breakfast, and that is a solemn occasion
in Washington, D.C., and we are always thinking in terms of Christ.
When Christ became man, his assuming humanity brought his divinity to
us so that we participate in his divinity, every one of us.
We have to remember that not only does it exist in every person that
we encounter, but it exists in us. It exists in the President of the
United States and his staff and all of the people who elected him. That
is a beautiful thing about it all.
But that spark of divinity in each of us has to relate to other
people and treat them with respect. How would we judge other countries
if they said: ``We have several hundred thousand people who came here
as children, and now we are sending them back where they came from?''
We would make a judgment about those countries that that was outside
the circle of civilized human behavior. And yet--and yet--we have
something to do about that right now.
I want to talk to you about Juan Carlos Navarro from Oregon. He said:
``I immigrated to the United States when I was 3 years old with my
parents because I needed medical treatment for my cerebral palsy. I
went through six surgeries and 12 years of physical therapy and walked
for the first time when I was 15 years old.
``Growing up, I did well in school, but I felt stuck because I didn't
know how to go to college. With the help of my counselor, I was able to
apply for private scholarships and attend a community college in Salem.
I'm now at Western Oregon University, where I was inspired to start my
own group for undocumented young people like me. I'm now getting my
master's there, and I'm part of the college Student Services
Administration Program, with the dream of one day making higher
education accessible to low-income and undocumented students.
``Without DACA, I no longer have access to health insurance through
an employer. I suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. This is
why I have visited my Members of Congress to urge them to pass the
Dream Act, because my life and my health is on the line.''
Patricia Ulloa was born in El Salvador. Patricia said: ``I have a
mixed status family--my parents have TPS, I have one U.S. citizen
brother, and my two sisters and I have DACA. We need the Dream Act now
because one of my sister's DACA expires on March 6, 2018, and pretty
soon the rest of my sisters and I could lose our protections too. Our
parents are already losing their TPS protections because Trump
terminated the program.
``I want the government to recognize us as part of society and know
that this is our home and we contribute to our communities even without
papers. My family wants to be able to stay together and feel safe to
drive, work, and travel.''
Here she says--I want to repeat this--``we contribute to our
communities even without papers.''
As an Italian American who grew up at a time when I did not feel any
prejudice or bias--or if I did, I thought it was the other person's
problem. We Italian Americans always think there are only two kinds of
people: those who are Italian American and those who want to be.
But in my father's generation and my grandfather's generation and my
great-grandmother's generation, it was a different story, and there was
a term. It was called ``wop,'' and people used that as a derogatory
term to Italian Americans.
Do you know what wop means, Mr. Speaker? Wop means without papers.
Without papers. That is what these people were called, without papers.
And that is all that these kids are, without papers. In every other
way, strong participants in our society, in our community, and in our
country.
And so again, just give us a chance to have a vote, Mr. Speaker.
Another day will come when we can talk about comprehensive immigration
reform. We
[[Page H916]]
can talk about this, that, and the other thing, but right now, the
Hurd-Aguilar bill, whatever is being put together in the Senate,
recognizes our responsibility to protect our borders, recognizes the
value of immigration to our country: hopes, dreams, aspirations, making
America more American every newcomer who comes. I truly believe that,
the constant reinvigoration of America.
Saba Nefes from Texas was born in Mexico, and Saba writes: ``We still
don't know a lot about cancer. We still don't know about genetic
diseases. My research at Texas Tech goes right into the heart of that.
It uses pure mathematics to look at why all these genetic diseases
exist and how they exist so someday we can come up with cures for them.
We're far from that point, but this is the challenge I work on.
``In addition to conducting research at Texas Tech, I've taught
undergraduate students as a teaching assistant. This past semester, I
got to teach anatomy, and one of my students was blind and had a
service dog. It was a blessing, a great experience to teach her
anatomy, something that she got to touch and feel to learn. It taught
me a lot of patience. It taught me what it's like to work alongside my
American students and peers. I'm just as much a part of their lives as
they are of mine.
``If DACA is repealed, I would be out of a job immediately, and I
won't be able to teach my students. I won't be able to continue
conducting the research that I am conducting right now. This research
could help scientists understand diseases like cancer and lead down a
path toward a cure. Without DACA, I can't continue this critical
work.''
Now, I want to just say this. I think there is a lack of
understanding, and we should have made it clear on the other side of
the aisle and with the White House about what the President's action in
September did.
The President, maybe in good spirit, thought that by giving us a
March 5 deadline, he was giving a 6-month reprieve to DREAMers; but
what, in fact, he was doing was making matters worse for them. It was
most unfortunate. Most unfortunate because, again, while they may have
maintained the status of DREAMer, they did not have the protections of
the DACA executive order that President Obama put forth.
Perhaps it would have been better if President Trump had said: ``I am
giving Congress 6 months to pass a bill, but I am not changing the
status quo that protects the DREAMers.''
Just on that point, President Obama, when he protected the DREAMers
and their parents, what he did was significant, but it was not as
significant as what President Reagan did in the 1980s. President Obama
acted because Congress would not act. He took action.
President Reagan acted after Congress did act, the Immigration Act of
1986. President Reagan said, interesting: But you did not go far
enough. So he instituted, by executive order, Family Fairness. And then
Family Fairness was continued under President George Herbert Walker
Bush, two great Presidents for immigration in our country.
What they did with their executive orders, which stood the test of
court cases, protected a higher percentage of people than what
President Obama did--two Republican Presidents, two great champions on
immigration. Even after Congress acted, they said: You didn't go far
enough.
President Obama had to act because Congress would not act.
Then we come forward with President Clinton following in that
tradition. President George W. Bush, great President on immigration, he
couldn't convince his own party to pass comprehensive immigration
reform. But his statements, his values-based policy on immigrants is
something, to this day--and his current statements are so beautiful and
inspirational about treating people with dignity and valuing their
worth as we talk about immigration.
And then, of course, President Obama, doing what he did in terms of
executive orders, protecting people in the tradition of Ronald Reagan
and George Herbert Walker Bush, with the common values of George W.
Bush and President Clinton.
So now we have the first Republican President in modern times--the
first President, really--who is anti-immigrant, and that is just such a
change from his own party, and it makes it hard to see where we can
have shared values.
Certainly one piece of that debate which would require a fuller
stipulation of fact, hearings, et cetera, to see what the best path
forward is is important for us to do. But for now, because of the
action that the President took, it necessitates us taking action here,
as the President anticipated by putting a March 5 deadline on it. We
would like to do it sooner.
This is a vehicle leaving the station. And if the Republicans need
our support for this legislation, which has many good features--and I
commend the negotiators on it and was a part of that--unless we can get
the same commitment that Mitch McConnell gave the bipartisan group of
legislators who asked for it in the Senate, we would like that same
response to our bipartisan group.
I want to talk about Jaime Rangel: ``To me, Georgia is my home. I am
proud to be from the South, and I love to give back to my community.
``I tell everybody I'm a Latino that grew up eating tortillas and
grits at the same time, and north Georgia is home. And for somebody to
say, `Hey, you can't get some instate tuition' in a place that I
consider my State was really--it was really heartbreaking. I felt out
of place.
``Right now, I feel optimistic because I believe the greater part of
the country understands that you can't deport 750,000 individuals.
These are individuals who give back to their community, who are
involved in their churches, who have Ph.D.'s, who have been creating
jobs and who just want to make this country a better place.
``When President Obama announced DACA, to me, it was a life-changing
experience. I felt that I finally was given a decent chance to be
somebody in this country, to contribute to my State, to contribute to
my community, to get a job, and just give back and be somebody in the
greatest country on Earth.''
That is the patriotism of our DREAMers.
``So when DACA was introduced, it opened the doors to many things,
even doors I didn't think were imaginable to open.
``My name is Jaime Rangel. I was born in Mexico, but I came to this
country when I was only 3 months old.''
As the President said, he loves the DREAMers. He loves the DREAMers.
He loves to call it DACA. Subscribe to that. He loves the DREAMers. And
these people came to this country not of their own volition, through no
fault of their own. I, myself, thank their parents for bringing them
here because they are a blessing to America, but, from their
standpoint, through no fault of their own.
Why can't we be fair and give them a break?
Javier Noris in New York City came from Mexico: ``I invest in the
next generation of biomedical tech solutions.
``When I was working at a convenience store, I always had big
aspirations, even though I wasn't sure how they would come to fruition.
But the moment DACA was passed, it really put everything in
perspective, and I really made a conscious effort to focus on my
career. So I ended up pursuing a career as a software engineer.
``I went to school at Cal State University, Northridge. I studied
economics and biotechnology. After working as a software engineer in
Silicon Valley, I ended up moving to Brooklyn, New York. I now work in
venture capital, running a small venture fund that invests in early-
stage life science and frontier technology startups.
``As a CEO of an investment fund, DACA being repealed does not only
affect me. A DACA repeal could affect the startups with which I work
and my ability to invest in them and their ability to continue to grow
and employ hundreds of workers across the country.
``My name is Javier. I'm a DACA recipient and I'm from Mexico City. I
came to the United States when I was 5 years old.''
He did not come alone. He did not. He was brought here by his
parents.
So many of our DREAMers here are called DREAMers because they have
big dreams. And they are entrepreneurs; they are teachers; they are
[[Page H917]]
researchers in science; they are in our military. They are making such
a fabulous contribution to the future of our country.
It is not just about them. This DACA repeal that we are making is
about us: Who are we as a country? How do we honor the vows of our
founders, the Statue of Liberty and her appeal to the world that has
made America such a beacon of hope?
{time} 1045
The list goes on and on about many, many DACA recipients, and I
intend to read them all.
But in addition to that, I want to go back to the Bible because I
could have brought the Bible here and just read the Bible and said: If
we are people of faith, in God we trust, as we contend to be, we must
act upon our faith, and act upon our values.
People always ask me: Where is hope? Where should we find hope?
Hope is sitting there where it always has been, right between faith
and charity. People have hope because they believe. They believe in
God. They have faith in our country and themselves and their families;
and they have faith in the goodness, the charity of others that people,
when given the chance, will do the right thing, and then, hopefully,
that will be returned to them when they need hope and can have faith in
the goodness of others.
I want to tell you about Maria Praeli. She is from Connecticut. She
said: ``I didn't let anything keep me from advancing academically.
Unfortunately, when high school ended, I couldn't attend the university
of my dreams. I was getting all these acceptance letters, but I
couldn't go to any of these schools because I didn't have a Social
Security number''--this is my point; you can't get a Social Security
number--``and, therefore, I wasn't eligible for financial aid. I
couldn't pursue the dreams that I had been hoping to. But I did not let
my undocumented status hold me back from continuing to advance
academically.
``I enrolled at Gateway Community College, where I worked very hard
as a student government association president and graduated with 3.8
GPA to then be able to attend Quinnipiac University. I graduated magna
cum laude and earned my bachelor's degree in May of 2016.
``It's surreal to wake up every day and be reminded that even though
I have been living in America for the past 18 years, in a few months,
all my honors and education might end up not mattering anymore because
I won't be able to contribute to the country which I have called home
for so long.
``My name is Maria. I was born in Ica, Peru, and moved to the United
States when I was 5 years old.''
There is documentation after documentation of how young these
children were when they came to the United States all because their
parents wanted to make the future better for them.
Andrea Seabra writes: ``My dad was a fighter pilot in the Peruvian
Air Force, so I grew up with a lot of military influence. When I was in
high school, I joined New Jersey ROTC, which was the junior ROTC, and I
was there for 3\1/2\ years.
``It gave me that taste of maybe what my dad might have lived when he
was in the military. I lost him when I was only 6 years old, so I never
really got to know that part of him. I always thought in the back of my
head, when I graduate, I want to join the military. When I was in my
junior year, I realized that I couldn't enroll in the military because
I was undocumented.
``I was sitting with a recruiter at my school, an Air Force
recruiter, and he asked me about it. He's like, `What's your social?'
So when I told him, `Well, I don't have one--' '' meaning Social
Security number--``he is like, `What about your passport?' I'm like,
`Well, I have a Peruvian passport.' And he's like, `No, you have to
either be a U.S. resident or a U.S. citizen to be able to join.'
``That's the first time I ever experienced that big wall of being
undocumented, like a big stop sign saying, no, you can't pursue this
passion of yours.
``I didn't live a normal life until I got DACA. Thanks to DACA, I was
able to pursue my career after graduating cum laude from Saint Leo
University, in marketing. With DACA, I was able to build my
professional network, help people, influence people, and do all these
things for myself and my family and my community. If that's going to be
taken away, everything that I've accomplished, that I've worked on,
that I've helped people with will just fall apart. It will shake the
foundation of who I am today as a person, as a professional, even as a
friend, as a daughter, everything.
``My name is Andrea. I was born in Lima, Peru. I was brought here by
my mom when I was 11 years old.''
She had lost her dad when she was 6. But this idea of military
service, many, when they got the DACA status protection, have served
honorably in the military. We are very proud of them, as we are proud
of all of our men and women in the military.
And I emphasize the story of hard work that these DREAMers have
because they are very consistent with American workers. American people
are so resourceful. They are so wonderful. They so care about their
families and their communities. So this is not to say that DACA
recipients are different. It is to say they are just like us.
We are very proud of the American people, the productivity of our
workforce, the faith of our families, the civic mindedness and the
generosity of spirit, and, really, of resources of the American people.
My telling these stories is not to separate the DACA recipients from
them, but to show how similar they are and how assimilated they are
into our community. It is mutually beneficial.
Jose Manuel Santoyo, from Texas, said: ``My education was so that I
could contribute to society.
``My last year at Southern Methodist University, I began working on
an engaged learning fellowship. Because of that, I was selected to be
the commencement speaker for my graduation and represent almost 600
other students who would be graduating that day. In my speech, I
thanked the faculty and staff at my university. I had teachers who I've
looked up to my whole life, who provided amazing educational
opportunities regardless of the papers I had or didn't have.
``I want to be able to work and I want to work in public service. In
order to do that, I would need to have DACA. I would need to have work
authorization in this country. I feel like that's what my education
was for. My education wasn't for me. My education was so I could
contribute to society. My education was so that I could give back to
the community that has given me so much, to the country that has given
me so much.
``This year I hope that our Congress and our President work to fund a
permanent solution to provide us DACA recipients a pathway to
citizenship, to give us an opportunity to use our education, to use
everything that we've learned in order to give back, in order to
contribute, in order to provide for ourselves and our families and our
communities.''
What Manuel said is that he looked up to his teachers. He learned
from others in our country. That also demonstrates the beautiful
commitment of the American people to teach, to shed light to younger
people, newcomers to our country, to make a valuable contribution.
So in saluting, as I say, the DREAMers, we are saluting the
opportunity they were given by the American people to make their
contribution. Hopefully, Congress will live up to the values of the
American people who overwhelmingly support the DREAMers, and see this
as a separate issue not just about the DREAMers, but about who we are
as a country.
Cesar Vargas was born in Mexico. He holds a law degree and wants to
became a military lawyer. Aside from advocating for legislation to
allow DREAMers to serve in the military, he has been advocating for
immigration reform through a political group he launched last year
called Dream Action Coalition. The group is known for challenging
lawmakers on their stance on immigration and highlighting the political
power of voters. In his case, Latino voters.
Kelly--just Kelly--is from Dover, New Jersey. Kelly is a student
working toward becoming a medical assistant. She will be done with
courses in January. However, without a DACA work permit, she won't be
able to complete an internship required to complete her training and
get certified. Her driver's license also expires in February.
[[Page H918]]
Understand this: you can't have a Social Security card, a passport, a
driver's license. You cannot function as a person in our society
without having your status protected by the Dream Act. So when people
tell you it is all protected, it isn't. Listen to the stories.
So I was talking about Kelly. Kelly is a student working to becoming
a medical assistant. She will be done in January. However, without
DACA, she won't be able to complete her training or get her driver's
license, as I mentioned. Kelly--just Kelly--has lived in New Jersey
since she was 5 years old. She says DACA has ``given me the chance to
drive, have a work permit, buy a car, get car insurance--things that
obviously benefit the country as well. It's helped me to not be stuck,
not to have to depend on others. . . .''
Kelly's DACA renewal application was rejected because she forgot to
fill in a date of expiration. When she received notice of the error,
she fixed it and sent the application back immediately, but, by then,
the arbitrary October deadline had passed.
This is another reason why we need to clear this up.
Crystal--just Crystal--is a single, working mom of 5 U.S. citizen
children. She was born in the Bahamas and arrived in the U.S. at 6
years old. Crystal had her fifth child only 3 weeks ago, and while
recovering, she had been on unpaid leave from a retail job, where she
has worked for nearly 6 years. Now that her work authorization has
expired, she will not be able to return to work, and her ability to
provide for her kids will be impeded.
What?
Carlos from the Bronx. Carlos lives in the Bronx and is the only
undocumented member of his family. The whole family pulls together to
care for Carlos' younger sister who has severe cerebral palsy and
cannot walk. Carlos' employer, a fabrication company, desperately wants
to keep Carlos as an employee. His DACA and work authorization expired
February 18, 2017. It expired already.
So the list goes on and on.
Carlos sent his DACA renewal application on September 18, 2017, 2
weeks after the President's announcement. But it was not received until
December 11--he sent it on September 18. It was received on October 11.
In the rejection letter, he was notified that he failed to fill in his
DACA expiration date on one of the forms. The relevant information was
included in the cover letter and in other parts of the packet. Carlos
arrived in the U.S. when he was 2 years old. New York is the only place
he can call home. The expiration date was in the package, but in one of
the forms it was not added. So he lost his protections.
I have to mention Kelly, who is a constituent of Rodney
Frelinghuysen. Crystal, who was here from the Bahamas, is a constituent
of Ted Deutch. Carlos is from the Bronx and is a constituent of Joe
Crowley.
Saul is from San Francisco and is a constituent of Jackie Speier.
Saul aspires to be a teacher, Mr. Speaker. DACA has allowed him to work
in the field he is passionate about: education.
He was able to get a driver's license. Saul submitted a DACA renewal
application September 30, well in time, via USPS express delivery. He
received notification of an error, which he fixed and resubmitted.
However, his application was rejected as untimely.
Agustin is from Brooklyn. Agustin's DACA will expire in January--
already--within days of his 21st birthday. DACA allowed Agustin to go
to college to study criminal justice. He works and goes to school. When
his DACA expires--which it has--he won't have the means to pay his
bills and the cost of school.
What are we doing?
It is like without papers, WOP. And now people who are striving to
have their papers are outlawed on a technicality. Really? Aren't we
supposed to be enabling people to make their contribution instead of
hurting them with the process?
It is, again, important to note, and for our viewers to note that
what people are asking for is nothing special. It is asking them to
honor what was there. When DACA recipients were told to sign up, they
submitted considerable information about their lives. They effectively
outed their parents with the commitment that there would be protection
for them.
We have heard many good bipartisan proposals to protect the DREAMers,
to give consideration to parents so that they would not be deported
because they brought a child into the country. Some of these parents
have citizen children now who are also making a contribution to our
society.
So it is because people understand that that September 5 announcement
by the President was very disruptive. Let's hope that it was not
intentional. I don't think that it was. I have no reason to think that
it was. But it did cause problems that perhaps were unforeseen. The
system did not even allow for a correction in a form in a timely
fashion because of dependence on when it was received to be judged a
protection for those students.
So, in fact, over 110 DREAMers a day lose their protection. It is
over--approaching 20,000 already who are losing their protections. And
it will be more by the time of March 5, which is the deadline. And if
we are going to reach a March 5 deadline, or any deadline, we have to
get on a timetable to do so.
One timetable we have is the opportunity today to have a commitment
from the Speaker not to be afraid of DREAMers. Thank God for them. They
contribute. We are a nation of DREAMers. That is why they fit so
comfortably in our society and contribute to it so beautifully.
{time} 1100
I will tell you about Mayron, Rick Larsen's constituent from
Washington State. Mayron, originally from Honduras, has lived in the
U.S. since he was 11 years old and knows no other country as home. He
has overcome lots of obstacles to be who he is today, a successful
entrepreneur who owns three businesses. He submitted his DACA renewal
application before the deadline. It arrived on October 2, 2017. He
accidentally submitted the processing fee for $465 instead of $495.
That is what it takes. $495 is a lot of money. His entire case was sent
back for that reason.
With his rejection, he received a green document stating: You are
invited to resubmit your application package after you have corrected
the reasons for rejection. Place this letter on top of your application
package.
Mayron affixed the processing fee and resubmitted his application
with the green document on top of his application package. On October
31, he received the entire package in the mail with a rejection notice
dated October 24 that stated that USCIS is no longer accepting DACA
applications.
Mayron has been a DACA applicant for the last 3 years and is
heartbroken by the DHS' actions in rejecting the renewal of his DACA.
Gregory Meeks' constituent, Brittany, writes that she was born in
Trinidad and Tobago and arrived in the U.S. at 3 years old and grew up
in New York. She has no close family in Trinidad and Tobago, and all of
her immediate and most of her extended family who are citizens and
residents live near her in New York.
Brittany is a full-time caretaker for a family in Brooklyn with two
14-month-old sons, one of whom has special needs and requires physical
therapy. Although the child's special needs were not known when she was
hired, Brittany has risen to the occasion with grace, calm, and
competence according to the family. We are devastated by the thought
she may not be able to continue to work in this country, and, no, we
won't find another caregiver who is as reliable, nurturing, and
unshakeable as Brittany.
Brittany submitted her renewal application September 21, but it was
sent back to her on October 5 because she forgot to sign her name in
one place. She sent it back immediately but was rejected as untimely.
Hugo in Houston, Texas. Hugo is a 34-year-old father who lives in
Houston, Texas. He came to the United States from Mexico when he was 6
years old and has lived in Houston ever since. He completed K-12 in
Houston and now works at a photo framing shop near downtown. After
Trump was elected, Hugo worried about reapplying, so he waited. Hugo
found out from one text message from a friend on September 6 that he
needed to reapply before October 5 or risk losing his DACA. He decided
to quickly put together his application as his DACA was set to expire
September 9, 2017.
Hurricane Harvey had just hit the Houston area. While Hugo's home was
[[Page H919]]
not destroyed, the entire city of Houston was shut down, including many
businesses. Hugo's work was one of them. He didn't have the time or
money to pay an attorney. He had to borrow half the money for the
application fee because he couldn't get $495 together in such a short
period of time.
Hugo was unable to get his DACA renewal application mailed until
October 4, which is still before the deadline. USCIS received Hugo's
application on October 6. On November 1, Hugo received a letter from
USCIS denying his renewal. Now, you know if they got his application on
October 6, they knew it was mailed before October 5, or in time on
October 5, but they turned him down.
The point I want to make here is these are technicalities that people
have been turned down on. Could we all live up to the standard that has
been set to sign in every place with the date and the this and the that
even though the information is contained in the package, even though
hurricanes intervened in the mail service or the opportunity to put the
package together, no mitigation, no consideration for that? That is
really unfortunate because the American people are the losers in all of
that.
Fernanda writes that she arrived in the U.S. at age 2 wearing a pink
parka and matching pants, clutching on to her mom. She carried a single
bag and abandoned her family in search of a better life beside her
father in the U.S. Her dad was already in Alabama, and they were
wanting to be by his side.
In the year before his decision to leave Mexico, he had been
assaulted five times and already had his wedding band stolen twice.
Since arriving to the States, they have been able to start four
businesses and create jobs. They purchased two cars and put Fernanda
through college. They also have helped their U.S.-born son reach his
goals of being a professional soccer player and is on the Olympic
Development Program team for the southeast region.
Sheila Jackson Lee is with us in the Chamber. Sheila's story is that
one of these young people living with uncertainty is Cesar Espinoza, a
DREAMer from Houston who came to America from Mexico at the age of 6.
Cesar adapted quickly to his Texas home and became a standout student
excelling in programs for the gifted and talented throughout his
primary and secondary education.
Faced daily with the constant threat of deportation, Cesar and his
family were forced to have an emergency plan in place in the event one
of his family members were detained by the immigration services.
Espinoza graduated from DeBakey High School near the top of his class
and was accepted at some of America's most prestigious universities,
including Yale. But his undocumented status prevented him from
obtaining financial assistance, nearly shattering his college
ambitions. He could have given up on his pursuit of a degree, but
instead he chose to make a difference.
I know there are other young people who are just like me, said Cesar.
They need someone to fight for them and try to make a way. That is when
he founded FIEL, an immigrants' rights organization based in Houston.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee writes about her constituent, Emily. Emily
is a resident of Alameda, California. She came to the U.S. when she was
9 years old with her family from South Korea in the year 2000. She
currently works in community health work in a federally qualified
health center in Oakland, California, serving the underserved API
community. Emily graduated from UC Berkeley in 2014 and has been
working as a community health worker ever since. She is also taking a
class after work to prepare to apply to graduate school.
Emily says DACA has changed her life and the lives of her family
members. She was able to finally contribute to her family's living
expenses upon graduation and will continue to pursue her dreams.
Emily is grateful for the protection she received under DACA. But she
is also deeply concerned about her mother and friends who don't have
the same opportunity to come out of the shadows.
Emily said, ``When my rights as a `deserving American' are justified
by the idea that it was `no fault of my own,' it automatically
criminalizes my mother, whose love, sacrifice, and resilience made it
possible for me and my siblings to be where we are today. I am forever
thankful for her courage and the sacrifice she made to give us a better
life.''
Emily's story is a reminder that we must protect DREAMers, but we
must never give up the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. It
is past time for Congress to pass the clean Dream Act.
Jose Castillo wrote:
``My name is Jose Castillo, and I am 22 years old. When I was 4 years
old''--can you imagine how precious--``my parents took my little sister
and me and packed up everything they owned. We got on a plane and
headed to the United States to escape a country in its early stages of
turmoil. My parents gave up everything they had to provide us with a
sliver of a chance, one they knew we wouldn't have in Venezuela.
``They made it a point to raise us well while shielding us from
racism and their fears of deportation.
``Eventually, we came to understand just how many doors were closed
to us. Disheartened and frightened for our future, we prayed for
something, anything. DACA was that something. DACA has given me hope
and a real chance, but, more importantly, it has given me a voice. I
can proudly tell my story to anyone who is willing to listen, a story
about a family who is determined and persistent in their pursuit of an
American life.
``DACA's removal would rip that away from us. Ending DACA will hurt
more than 800,000 people, people not just with dreams and aspirations,
but people that want to be seen, understood, and welcomed. They are
your friends and your neighbors, your schoolteachers. . . .''
Now, this is so important: ``They are your friends and your
neighbors, your schoolteachers and your doctors, and they need you to
come to their side and help. Call Congress, have an open conversation,
relay facts and fight for my family and the hundreds of thousands like
us.''
This goes on and on. It just seems like it is such an easy solution.
There are plenty of challenges that we have that are complex,
comprehensive immigration reform, issues that relate to how we prepare
our country for jobs for the 21st century, how we prepare our workers
and our education system and the rest. But in all of that, we have to
be strong as a country. To be strong as a country, we have to be true
to our values. To be true to our values is to respect the aspirations
of people who are our future. Our young people are our future, and
these DREAMers are part of that. They have enriched our community, and
they have been enriched by our community, by the goodness of the
American people, and by the greatness of our country.
So our plea to the Speaker is not one just for the DREAMers. Our plea
to the Speaker is for us, for ourselves, again, to honor the vows of
our Founders, our patriarch, George Washington, and others who followed
him to make our country great, but also to make it a beacon of hope to
the rest of the world.
Claudia came to the United States when she was 5. She said: `` . . .
my family brought me to a country I would call home. I had to learn a
new language, new culture, a new way of life. I was brought here by
hardworking, loving parents who only wanted what was best for my
future, running away from poverty and leaving family behind in the hope
of a better life.
``DACA allowed me to have a chance at a better tomorrow. I am now a
medical assistant and a third-year student at the University of Utah.
Taking away DACA would remove the privileges that I hold dearly. I am
not an `illegal alien,' nor am I a criminal or a rapist. I am a human;
I am 1 of the 800,000 DREAMers who thrive for a better future. America
is my home. I didn't choose to be undocumented, but I do decide to keep
fighting for what is right and keep moving forward, undocumented and
unafraid. I am a DREAMer, and I am here to stay.''
Did I tell you about Juan Escalante? ``With much foresight to the
oncoming political evidence, my parents fled Venezuela in 2000, with my
two brothers and me in tow, for the United States. In 2006, we learned
that an immigration attorney had mishandled our immigration case, which
meant that,
[[Page H920]]
after 6 years of legal fees and paying taxes, we were no longer on the
path towards U.S. citizenship.
``By the time President Obama announced the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals, DACA, program in 2012, I had graduated from Florida
State University with a political science degree. I fought and lost two
legislative fights in support of the Dream Act, helped enact a law in
Florida that would provide in-state tuition for undocumented students
across the State, and helped organize thousands of DREAMers from all
across the country.
``Since 2013, DACA has protected my brothers and me from deportation.
With DACA, I was able to return to FSU for a master's degree in public
administration and get a job in immigration advocacy, as the digital
campaigns manager for America's Voice. I am a Tallahassee resident.''
Mayra came to the United States at age 6. She said: ``I have now
lived in the United States for 21 years. Currently, I work full time as
a special education paraprofessional. I am also a college student. I'm
working on my third college degree.''
How many of us can make that claim?
``In May of 2018, I will be graduating summa cum laude with a
bachelor's degree in elementary education and special education. A
challenge I have had to overcome is accepting situations that are out
of my control and knowing that having strength and fortitude will lead
me to prevail in the end.
``I first went to college to become a nurse. In 2011, my junior year
of college, I graduated with honors with an associate's degree in
nursing. Unfortunately, I was unable to get licensed due to my
immigration status. It was upsetting and embarrassing. I was
embarrassed because I would see former peers working as actual nurses,
and I wasn't. And not because I was incapable, but merely because I was
never even given the opportunity to take the NCLEX and get licensed.
``In 2012, I finished my senior year in college and graduated cum
laude with a bachelor's degree in general studies. Over the years, the
State I reside in has changed State legislation to allow DACA
recipients to receive driver's licenses, professional licenses, and
certifications.''
That is a beautiful thing, but we want that for the whole country.
There are just certain things, the contributions of DREAMers to our
society, the work they do every day with the American people of which
they consider themselves to be a part, the benefits they have received
from working and knowing people in our country, themselves benefiting
from the greatness of the American people, the reciprocity they have
given back and honoring the American Dream, working hard with a work
ethic, an ethic of faith, family, and community, and a work ethic,
usually typical of an immigration community as many of us who are
families from the immigration community, which are all of us unless we
happen to be very blessed to be born a Native American in our country.
How beautiful some of the Native American families in our country have
been to our newcomers to our country.
Our country should all be that welcoming, and I think our country is.
That is why the numbers are in the eighties and nineties, in terms of
support for DREAMers, and even in the seventies among Republicans for a
path to citizenship.
Carlos Emilio Diaz writes: ``I am 19 years old, and I was born in
Guerrero, Mexico. I moved to Houston when I was a year old''--a year
old--``and was raised there my entire life. I am currently a student at
UT Austin. My biggest dream is to provide my parents with everything
they need without them having to work. They have sacrificed so much and
continue to do so. I feel that's the least I could do. DACA gives me
that opportunity, and without it, my dream has become uncertain.''
One of the things that I think many families in transition, that is
to say, the upward mobility of education in our country and the length
of time that families have been here, is the story of their respect for
their parents, to see opportunities that they have, that DREAMers in
this case have, but just take any people in our country. That one
generation has tremendous opportunity because of the sacrifice of their
parents and grandparents.
{time} 1115
One of the attitudes that I have heard from people is, while they are
enjoying and are grateful for everything that they have and the
opportunity they have to give back to society, they have a certain
sadness that their parents didn't have that same opportunity for
education, to reach their personal aspirations. Their aspiration was to
make the future better for their children. They certainly were
successful at that. But, still, among some young people, you hear: ``I
wish my parents could have had this opportunity.''
How many people have ever said: ``If only my mother would have had
this opportunity''? That is in every generation, practically, because
opportunities for women have changed so much.
But, in any case, I have a neighbor in East Palo Alto in the heart of
Silicon Valley, Rocio, who writes:
``I grew up in East Palo Alto in the heart of Silicon Valley before
and after the dot-com bubble. Despite living in a tough neighborhood of
violence''--you maybe don't know that, but East Palo Alto is, in the
heart of all this wealth, success, and entrepreneurship, a place that
needs more of our attention.
``Despite living in a tough neighborhood of violence, I watched
``Star Trek Voyager,'' ``Friends,'' read Dr. Seuss, and memorized
musicals from ``Funny Girl'' to ``The Wizard of Oz.'' On the weekends,
I helped my dad clean office buildings. He hid me in the trash cart to
sneak me into work. I picked up the trash and refilled the trash can
with bags at every room. Today, I am in one of those conference rooms
whiteboarding with engineers and product managers to solve the toughest
problems in Big Data.''
Imagine being sneaked in in a trash barrel, helping to clean those
offices, and now being the leader in the room, whiteboarding with
engineers and product managers, solving the toughest problems in Big
Data.
``Anyone who thinks East Palo Alto is a precious community doesn't
live there anymore. During the worst days of gang violence, I had to
become street smart and know that, as an immigrant and only child in a
house of 17 people, I wasn't in a position to fight back. My strategy
was always to keep a low profile and be on the lookout for trouble.
``The community of EPA put me in touch with amazing people through
Eastside. Eastside is a private''--when I say ``EPA,'' in this case, it
is East Palo Alto.
``The community of East Palo Alto put me in touch with amazing people
through Eastside. Eastside is a private school in EPA that helps
underrepresented and first-generation students get into college. A
couple sponsored me from 6th through 12th grade.
``Every day, I met volunteers and teachers from the surrounding towns
and Stanford University. Through a reading program, I met Christina, or
Chris, as I like to call her, who, for the past 15 years has been a
mentor and a friend. She helped me become a better reader and
eventually edit a manuscript for a book. The education and support that
I received at Eastside allowed me to be successful and stay safe.
``It sounds crazy, but I couldn't get a cell phone. If something
happened to me while my parents worked the night shift as janitors, I
couldn't call 911. I didn't have a credit history, which requires a
Social Security number. That's when I started becoming aware of my
status as an undocumented student. A Stanford med school student,
Julie, helped me out. Although the phone was under her name, I paid her
in cash for part of my bill every month.''
So, again, you see, without it--no status, no credit, no Social
Security number, no driver's license--it is debilitating and doubly
worrisome because so many of these people are making such a valuable
contribution to our society, learning from the American people, and
giving back.
Maneri: ``I'm 18 years old and from Los Angeles. I just graduated
high school and will be attending UCLA to study political science in
the fall. Being an undocumented student has been tough. Coming to this
country at 6 years old completely changed my life. Learning English and
doing well in school was a battle since everyone in my family only
spoke Spanish and had
[[Page H921]]
no more than an elementary school education.
``However, being a DREAMer has also shaped who I am, what I stand
for, and has inspired me to dream big. After graduation, I hope to go
to law school and become an immigration lawyer to help others in my
situation and give back to my community. I dream that one day your
immigration status doesn't define your path in life or hold you back
from reaching your goals but, instead, encourages and embraces
diversity.''
Again, so many stories of so many DREAMers. I just want to see if we
have some more from our colleagues in terms of the ones that they have
submitted. We have received all of these from our colleagues. Some of
them identified as being from them or not, but all of them, again,
proud, proud of these young people who not only are DREAMers, but
inspire the rest of us to dream.
Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your courtesy. I am not finished yet. I
thank you for your courtesy in the interim and just want to say I am
taking this time because I think we have an opportunity now that is
almost matchless. We are at a moment when we can all come together to
do something really good for the country, take an action that has
bipartisan support.
We have no right, as I said earlier, any of us, to associate
ourselves with the aspirations of the DREAMers unless we are able to
and willing and courageous enough to take action on their behalf. So,
while some of us have been, more or less, receptive to receiving
DREAMers, learning from them, being inspired by them, some have not
been as exposed to these DREAMers and their stories as others. I think,
if you had been--and I am not saying you reject it; I am just saying
maybe it is geography or whatever--you would be as insistent as many of
us are that we live up to who we are as a country, and this people's
House listens to the voices of the American people who overwhelmingly
support our DREAMers.
Again, I don't know when we would have another opportunity that
matches today for us to just get a simple commitment from the Speaker
of the House that he will give us a vote. There is no guarantee. We
will have the debate. People will weigh in. They will make their voices
heard. Congress, again, will work its will. But do not diminish this
House of Representatives, this people's House, to a place where we
don't have the right to express our views on a subject so important to
our country that has such general support in the public and, yet, the
Speaker of the House is saying we don't matter here, we, Members of the
House, don't count in this consideration because maybe we just don't
have the courage to do what we need to do.
I believe we do. I believe many people on the Republican side of the
aisle have demonstrated even greater courage than some of us on this
side. It is easy for me. But it is also hard for me because we really,
again, are in a position to do something, and we feel helpless--that is
what the hard part is--helpless if our Speaker will not, Speaker of the
whole House, give this dignity to this House of Representatives to be
able to take the vote on a subject of broad debate in the country, but
we can't debate a bill on the floor of the House.
The Senate has received that dignity, has received that commitment
from Mitch McConnell, from Leader McConnell on the Republican side,
but, nonetheless, the Senate side, responding to bipartisan support,
bringing a bill to the floor with, again, no guarantee, the debate, we
will see what path that legislation takes.
But why a gag rule in the House of Representatives? Why a gag rule?
And that is why I am voicing some of the concerns today, largely
through the voices and the stories of our DREAMers. We want to be sure
that the public record of the Congress of the United States forevermore
will reflect the stories of their great contribution to America in the
hopes that those stories will move the Speaker of the House to give us
a vote, to elevate this House of Representatives to its rightful place
instead of diminishing us by saying the Senate may talk about these
subjects that the American people care so much about, not so fast in
the House of Representatives.
So that is why I am using my leadership minute to make sure that the
Record will show the magnificent contributions of the DREAMers in our
country, the courage it took for their parents to bring them here.
And again, Members are sending in their stories from Dallas, Texas,
from Arizona State. Let me read this one:
Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Stretching out my hand to
greet her. She reiterated my name, Mr. Luis Roberto Usera,
class salutatorian.
Isn't that great? Making the salutary address.
Clear as the day, breaking wind upon my face, silencing my
voice as I spoke out in a crowd of thousands. This is our
day, ladies and gentlemen, the class of 2012. The last 18
years of our lives, everything we have accomplished,
everything we have been through has led us to today.
Reading these words aloud encouraged that I had made a
difference, that my work ethic finally paid off. This is
meant to be an honor. Here I was, 4.8 grade point average,
4.8 grade point average, all honors classes. Ran student
government and some of the most successful blood drives my
school ever has seen and no way to do anything with it. I
looked, watching people's reaction, their faces toward mine,
waiting for me to continue. And so I did.
An echo was heard around the amphitheater rapidly
dispersing my voice to everyone in the back, to myself. I
spoke into the enchanted crowd, amused at my priestlike
voice.
And here, 4 years later, we have to face that same feeling,
the bittersweet combination of nostalgia and excitement that
comes when you turn off one road in your life and onto
another. The speech would have been great if I had believed a
word I was saying. The speech might have rung true to someone
else, but the advice that was inadvertently coming out of my
mouth meant nothing to myself.
I could no longer follow my own advice. Governing laws did
not allow undocumented immigrants to go to college right out
of high school. My too thin of a boy who ignorantly thought
he would go to college transformed to that of a cashier
tending lines in the local supermarket. In retrospect, those
feelings were before DACA was announced.
I still remember the many chills that went through my body
when President Obama announced the initiative. Then, still
worried that it might be too good to be true, I stuck with it
and applied, making a huge difference in my life. I could
continue my education, work legally, and live peacefully in a
world surrounded by fear.
Through DACA, I could achieve the by then impossible
college education. DACA allowed me to come out of the shadows
and show the true potential I have without fear. DACA
demonstrated to me that people cared, that people wanted to
help and understand the situation.
I recently received TheDream.US scholarship that bestowed
upon me the gift of education, for which I will be ever
grateful. I am currently an undergraduate student studying
biochemistry at Arizona State University.
A great school, by the way.
I arrived in the United States when I was 5. I grew up
American. I grew up speaking English. I grew up to call the
United States home. This is my home. This is my country. I am
here to stay. Luis Roberto Usera Brisano.
Sofia de la Varga, an EMT student:
I was 5 years old when my mother told me where we were
going to on vacation. At the time, I was excited for this
vacation because our dog had passed away and was buried right
outside my bedroom window. I wasn't too happy about that when
it came to getting a night's rest. I went ahead and I
gathered my teddy bear and book bag, which pretty much summed
up all my belongings as a child.
When I was 15, I realized our vacation was more than a
permanent move from a dangerous country. My mother gave up
her entire family for us. She left her brothers and her
mother to risk her life for us.
Today, I feel worthless. Since I came to America, I have
felt nothing but useless and not belonging. I grew up
here. I work, study, breathe, and want to live forever
here. Yet never in my life have I been given a chance to
become a citizen, because I was not born here.
For the longest, I have been sick and tired of living in a
place that I am not wanted. For so long, this place I call
home refuses to call me theirs. When people ask me where I am
from, I say ``America.'' America. My soul and heart are from
here. If I were to move back, I know for a fact I would not
like it. I wouldn't have a car, internet, friends, security.
And getting killed is a possibility every day. However, if
the choice were mine and no one in my family existed, I would
leave in a heartbeat because at least I would belong.
I wanted to leave many times. My mom, the most wonderful
soul on the planet, convinced me otherwise. She fled because,
since the day I was born, they said they were trying to rob,
kidnap, and even kill her.
When I first heard President Obama's speech on DACA years
ago, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. DACA granted
me everything to live a normal life and, for once, belong. It
was temporary, but I felt real. I graduated high school at
the top percent in my class. I was first in my family, and I
was blessed to start college and earned a scholarship that
paid for my first 2 years.
[[Page H922]]
This December I will be finishing up my EMT school. In the
future, I hope to complete 2 more years of paramedic and
attain an associate in emergency services.
I have a brother that drowned when I was younger. In my
home country, you can forget that police and an ambulance
will arrive or even bother to come if you call. My only hope
is to save as many lives as I can or die risking my life for
another person.
{time} 1130
I know DACA can be taken away. I won't be able to drive to
my college or work to pay off my college tuition. My
scholarship will be terminated, I will be deported and
eventually left with nothing to live for. I pray for an
opportunity to stop feeling like that. There isn't room for
me here.
You see, it is amazing the effect on public policy and people's
lives. That is why I want the Record to show, again, that everyone,
forevermore in the history of the United States of America, will know
that these DREAMers are part of that history and that their stories
will be there to make judgments about us as to how we have responded to
their greatness.
Nayelli Valdemar says: ``I am an AP scholar. I am a distinguished
high school graduate. I am a cum laude student. I am a leader. I am a
recipient of scholarships in merit and circumstance. I am also an
illegal immigrant.
``Well, allow me to rephrase. I am an illegal immigrant until the
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an executive action where
President Obama gave me the opportunity to live as a resident here in
the United States. DACA has opened many doors for DREAMers such as
myself. Honestly, it has made the path to success miles more tangible.
Inspiring me to be the best I can, even when the odds plotted against
me, DACA was, and is, there to give a helping hand. Regarding my
academic record, neither am I writing to boast about my accomplishment
nor to ask for pity in the right situation, I am here to thank anyone
and everyone who made DACA not only possible, but DREAMers' dreams come
true. I'm writing to give thanks for the faith the creators of DACA
gave me when the compassion of the world seemed to turn a blind eye my
way. With this letter, I only hope to help the new Presidential
administration understand why DACA is a vital part of every DREAMer's
life.
``As a poverty-stricken female immigrant, I have moved mountains to
get to where I am today, but this never would have been possible
without the assistance of DACA. Playing an important role in my life,
DACA is a pinnacle to the rights I cherish every day. Because of DACA,
I have been able to get a job to assist my family. It was not easy
working 30-plus-hour shifts, only to be welcomed by house chores and
schoolwork, especially since I graduated from a magnet school, the
Science Academy of South Texas, a school notorious for its workload. .
. .
``My hopes lie in that the generosity of this Nation continues to
allow all DREAMers a fighting chance for our future, our hopes, and our
aspirations to become more than just DREAMers.
``Please, please, let it be known that all DREAMers appreciate the
assistance this Nation has given us through DACA. Futures have been
opened for DREAMers who were once on uncertain roads, thanks to the
help of DACA. I hope this Nation does not give up on us. I hope this
Nation continues to believe in its DREAMers. I hope this Nation
continues to see why DACA is necessary. After all, this Nation is all
that most DREAMers have. Our lives are under the weight of this
country's mercy. Although, as much as we work, as much as we learn, as
much as we pray, all we can truly do is hope and dream for a hopeful
tomorrow, a brighter road ahead, a chance to dream again. Nayelli
Valdemar.''
Nayelli, in this statement, talks about praying. That is why I am so
glad I mentioned at the beginning the three Bs: the Bibles, the badges,
and the business community. They are so supportive of giving relief to
the DREAMers.
Let's talk about the Bibles. I talked about the Gospel of Matthew,
the parable of the Good Samaritan, the dignity and worth of every
person's spark of divinity, that God, Christ coming down, bringing his
divinity to humanity enabled us, our humanity, to participate in his
divinity, and that is that spark that we all have, every single one of
us. So we have to respect it in others but be responsible for it in
ourselves, and that is the challenge that we have.
``Hope,'' sitting there between ``faith'' and ``charity,'' the
goodness of others--we all have hope that when we have needs, we
believe, we have faith that others will be there for us, and that is
what America is about.
America is great because America is good. I say it over and over
again. This fabulous, greatest country in the history of the world,
think about it, our Founders, how courageous they were. They decided to
declare war on the greatest naval power, then, in the world, the
British Navy, the British military. They declared, in the Declaration
of Independence, their grievances against the king, but they also
stated their aspirations about people being created equal.
No country had been founded on that principle before, and our
inalienable rights under God, just remarkable, bestowed on them by Our
Creator. This is a remarkable people. And then they fought the war,
they won the war, they established our founding documents.
My daughter wrote a movie on it--well, she didn't write because it
was written by our Founders, but she produced a movie on words that
made America--our Declaration, our Constitution, our Bill of Rights.
And thank God they had the brilliance to make our Constitution
amendable. And it being amendable, it became this incredible document
with the Bill of Rights, and then others that we take an oath to
protect and defend.
At the same time as they did that, they created the great seal of the
United States of America. I referenced it earlier. It is on the dollar
bill.
You see that triangle with the eye?
It used to scare me when I was little.
What is that? A pyramid with an eye?
But under it, it says: ``Novus Ordo Seclorum.''
Catholics know that ``seclorum, seclorum, seclorum'' means ``forever
and ever and ever.'' But in this, it is ``new order for the ages.''
They had so much confidence in what they had established and what
they were doing that was so new and fresh to the world. They became a
beacon to the world. But in doing this new order for the ages, they
had confidence and optimism that this would last forever because it was
predicated on the idea that every generation would take responsibility
and make the future better for the next.
I said it earlier: The American Dream. People flocked to our shores
bringing their aspirations, hopes, determination, and courage to make
the future better for their families. And in adopting them, their
traits were like American traits, characteristics of optimism, hope,
courage, and making the future better. And all these newcomers to our
shores, they made America more American with their commitment to a
better future for their families, and that continues to this day.
And these young people now are called DREAMers. Their parents had a
dream for them to bring them to our country, but they completely
adapted to our way of always being dreamers about a better future in
our country. They learned from the American people. They taught the
American people. It is a beautiful relationship.
And now we have an opportunity to show our greatness as a country, to
honor the values of our Founders, the courage they had to find a path,
a solution, a result, so that we can put this aside and address other
issues that relate to immigration, which are a bigger picture, more
complicated, take more time, require more public debate.
Why can't we just do this?
This is discrete. Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, the chair of
the Hispanic Caucus, said this so beautifully when we testified before
the Rules Committee on immigration, on the Dream Act. She said: Think
of this bill like CHIP. CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program,
is about the children. It is not a bill that talks about universal
healthcare, the whole healthcare system of our country. It is about the
children. We have the immigration issue similar to being a big
comprehensive issue, but then we have this little piece that is for the
children.
I think it was the perfect analogy. CHIP is healthcare for the
children. It doesn't address the whole healthcare system, changes that
people may want to make or improve or change. It is
[[Page H923]]
about the children. It is an easy path for us to go down, recognizing
that it is not a substitute for what we need to do to address
immigration reform in our country, but a first step, not a step instead
of.
And it is a confidence-building step that we can find common ground
in, in a bipartisan way, and we must, if it is going to be sustainable,
just as the bill was in 1986 that President Reagan improved upon with
his family fairness initiatives.
So that is why let's just think of it as about the children. We
should always be thinking about the children. They are the future. They
own the future. They are it. And when children come to Washington,
D.C., and they visit and see how we honor our Founders, George
Washington, Lincoln--later to save the Union, Lincoln--but earlier,
Thomas Jefferson, et cetera, and walk these Halls and see tributes to
people who went before, we say: In most cases, this is about respecting
contributions these people made to our country, especially our big
monuments on The Mall, and most recently, Reverend Martin Luther King,
Jr., there.
We honor them, we learn from them, we value them. But what we do here
is values-based on how they taught us. But it is about the future, and
this is about how we can go into the future making distinctions,
discerning. Discerning, having the ability to say there is some things
we can get done, let's do them; other things take more time. Let's
build confidence, build bridges in what we do, again, always trying to
do it with bipartisanship, with transparency so people know what the
debate is and what is in the bill, and that brings unity to our
country. I think that is very possible.
I am very proud to read these statements into the Record, and I will
continue to do so. But during the night, when I was thinking and
praying so hard about our DREAMers, I thought maybe we should just pray
all day on the floor of Congress. Maybe I should bring my rosary
blessed by the Pope, blessed by His Holiness Pope Francis, or the one
before that, Benedict.
I had the honor and privilege of receiving rosaries blessed by
several Popes in my lifetime, but I always remember Pope Benedict. When
he came, he spoke so beautifully. He spoke so beautifully. His first
encyclical is called, ``God is love.'' In it, he quotes St. Augustine,
who, 17 centuries ago, said: ``Any government that is not formed to
promote justice is just a bunch of thieves.''
That is what St. Augustine said 17 centuries ago. He, Benedict, His
Holiness, goes on to say: Sometimes it is hard to define what justice
is, but in doing so, we must beware of the dazzling blindness of power
and special interest.
That is what he said. But this doesn't have any of that. This has
social justice, it has camaraderie, it has good spirit. It is based on
faith, hope, and charity. Pope Francis, when he came, spoke so
beautifully, as he always does, about respecting immigrants. He is
living in a much more complicated world of immigrants coming into
Europe, but, again, respecting the dignity and worth of every person.
And he came here in this Chamber and spoke about a few subjects. As
you recall, one of them was poverty and how we respect the dignity and
worth of people that Christ mentioned so many times in the Bible. As we
know, poor people are mentioned in the Bible hundreds and hundreds and
hundreds of times because of how important our responsibility is to
them.
But he also talked about immigration. He talked about immigration in
a very important way. And as I get his statement, I will instead read
from Gloria Rinconi, a medical assistant from Dallas, Texas.
She said: ``I am a girl who you graduated next to, the girl who you
talked to daily, the girl who has finally decided to step away from the
shadows and into the light for you to see her.
``See me as for who I am, not for someone who told you I would be.
``I immigrated to the United States when I was a year old with my
parents. My parents had taken the decision to immigrate to USA due to
being in a country that offered no future for their family. Even though
both my parents ran a successful business and my mom had a college
education, the violence and underemployment was no future for us. The
first place we called home was a small apartment in Dallas, Texas, who
we shared with another family. We lived in Texas for a year and moved
to Statesville, North Carolina. We then moved to the outskirts of the
little town in some rundown trailer homes.
``We had nothing. My parents slept on the floor while I made a
makeshift bed out of a piece of cardboard and a blanket. After months
of saving up money, my dad finally had enough to rent an apartment near
downtown Statesville. After 9 years, we moved again to Texas. Growing
up, my parents never hid the fact that I was undocumented from me. They
always told me, `Just because you were not born here, does not mean you
are any less. You are loved by many, regardless of what you might hear
on TV.' ''
``Those words became my rock when I was in high school. When I was a
freshman, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. For months
she struggled trying to find treatment at an affordable rate. Doctors
would turn her down simply because of her illegal status, even though
she offered to negotiate a payment plan. She was dying, and no one
seemed to care. Her only sin was to be an undocumented woman with stage
4 cancer. She eventually found treatment, but I had seen firsthand how
dehumanizing people can be towards the undocumented. During this time,
DACA was put into place and it officially opened the door for
me. . . .
{time} 1145
``DACA gave me wings, the wings I hoped for all my life when I was in
school. I participated in national pageants placing as a national
achievement finalist. I graduated high school with a medical assistant
certification and became a recipient of TheDream.US scholarship, which
helped me pursue my higher education. DACA has also given me a chance
to give back to other DREAMers by being an intern at My Undocumented
Life blog.''
``U.S. DACA recipients are not here to harm the U.S. The U.S. is our
home and will always be our home. We are part of the fabric that makes
the American flag. For that, I am willing to come out of the shadows so
you can see me.''
Again, this American Dream of making the future better is recurring
in all of these stories, and in all of these stories there has been
success. Again, though, it is not just about the DREAMers. It is about
who we are.
Luis Roberto. I talked about Luis already. I gave his speech. We had
his speech from his graduating class.
Luz Divina writes: ``I came to the U.S. from . . . Mexico when I was
2 months old. I didn't know I was undocumented until sophomore year of
high school when I realized I couldn't get a driver's permit, apply for
jobs, or go to college programs like all my friends were doing. I felt
depressed and oppressed for years until I finally applied for DACA when
Obama implemented his executive order. I finally had a chance at the
real world. I started a collective in high school named `The Luzdivina
Collective' that helped DREAMers in my high school and victims of
social injustice in my community. I am currently trying to get into
education--either ethnic studies or art, maybe both. The announcement
of DACA ending has put me back into a state of depression, but I'm
trying my hardest to overcome this with the help of my friends and
family. My dream is to be an educator, activist, and writer, to inspire
DREAMers like myself who are currently or have been in a state of
depression due to their legal status.''
We have to remember how strong the DREAMers are but how fragile some
of their existence is when they have no certainty as to what the next
steps will be for them. Again, this is all about family, about parents
who had the courage to bring their children at an early age to America.
This happened 100 years ago.
Do you think all of the people who came here all came documented?
Maybe we should all look up our ancestry and just find out what the
facts are about that. We assume so, but do we really know?
And there are many people--as I said earlier, Italians were called
wops, without papers. That was a derogatory term. It is disgusting for
me to say it, being an Italian American and so proud of my heritage. As
I said earlier, we
[[Page H924]]
grew up thinking that the world was divided among two people in
America: those who were Italian American and those who wanted to be
Italian American. Certainly, it feels that way in Little Italy in
Baltimore, where I grew up, and in San Francisco, whom I have the honor
to represent.
But, in any event, we all take pride in our heritage, and that is the
best--best--qualification for recognizing the pride that other people
take in their heritage. I say this to the Italian Americans all the
time: Because I am so proud to be an Italian American, I understand
full well why people from Mexico or Puerto Rico or Africa or wherever
they are from take pride in who they are, their dignity, the
authenticity of their heritage, and who they are.
And in America, that beauty, the beauty is in the mix. It certainly
is in my district. But in some communities, the contributions of
immigrants are not as recent as in others. But in every community, it
has made a difference, constantly reinvigorating America.
And so when His Holiness Pope Francis came to speak here in the
Congress, as a Catholic Italian American--that is the essence of my
being--it was really a thrilling day. It was for all of us, regardless
of our background or our faith. I was particularly thrilled to hear
what he said about immigration.
But you recall, he talked about Martin Luther King and the march from
Selma to Montgomery. He talked about people living in poverty, and he
talked about a number of subjects, but I will just speak to what he
said about immigration. The Pope solemnly said: ``In recent centuries,
millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building
a future in freedom. We, the people of this continent''--because, as
you know, His Holiness is the first Pope from the Western Hemisphere.
``We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners
because most of us were once foreigners. I say this to you as the son
of immigrants''--Italian, by the way.
``I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of
you are also descended from immigrants. Tragically, the rights of those
who were here long before us were not always respected. For those
people and their nations, from the heart of American democracy, I wish
to reaffirm my highest esteem and appreciation. Those first contacts
were often turbulent and violent, but it is difficult to judge the past
by the criteria of the present. Nonetheless, when the stranger in our
midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and errors of the
past. We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible,
as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our `neighbors'
and everything around us. Building a nation calls us to recognize that
we must constantly relate to others, rejecting a mindset of hostility
in order to adopt one of reciprocal subsidiarity, in a constant effort
to do our best. I am confident we can do this.''
How beautiful. And then he goes on to talk about immigration in the
rest of the world. And then he says:
``We need to avoid a common temptation nowadays: to disregard
whatever proves troublesome. Let us remember the Golden Rule: Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you.''
I will submit his whole statement for the Record because it goes on
in such a beautiful, beautiful way. It also talks about climate in
there, Laudato Si, which is his first encyclical about God's creation,
this planet, and our responsibilities to be good stewards of it.
I am talking about His Holiness. Getting to the Bible is part of it.
We talked about the Bible earlier. I thought maybe we could say a
Rosary on the floor of the House, not just five decades, the full
Rosary, all of the mysteries of the Rosary, that is 15 decades of the
Rosary. But, nonetheless, I think these people telling their stories
are very prayerful, and so I will use the time to put their stories on
the Record.
But let me just say how proud I am of the statements made by the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops, their courage in fighting for
immigrants across our country, from our cardinals, our bishops, et
cetera, from their esteemed platforms, whether it is the DREAMers or
TPS or comprehensive immigration reform. But right now, today, we are
talking about the DREAMers.
The evangelicals in our country, Reverend Sam Rodriguez' statements,
have been so spectacular about, again, the spark of divinity that
exists in every person that must be respected, strong supporters of
President Trump also believing that it is possible for all of us to
have enough goodness in our hearts to get this job done, go past any
obstacles that may be there.
Again, the Southern Baptist Convention, their leadership, all across
the spectrum, of course, the Jewish community, across the full spectrum
of faith-based organizations, all speaking out and rallying as people
rallied when we first saw the Muslim ban.
The people of faith are people of faith. They believe, and they
believe that we have obligations to each other. They have spoken out in
a very courageous way.
In terms of the badges, I told you some stories about DREAMers who
have come forth to help with law enforcement. By and large, we have had
strong support from the law enforcement community about support for the
DREAMers.
And the business community, oh, my, they have been spectacular in
terms of raising the profile, treating their employees who are DREAMers
with respect, advocating for them.
And this Congress of the United States, they seem to have a strong
voice on some issues. I wish they would be listened to as attentively
on issues of social justice here. But they do have access.
And one of the things I want to praise them for is I think that the
90 percent, 80 percent, 70 percent ratings, depending on if it is
citizenship or what, but the high numbers across the board for DREAMers
would not have been possible without people hearing from the bishops,
from law enforcement, and from the business community making this a
very high-profile issue about how their companies have benefited from
the DREAMers and how they truly believe.
This is not an issue that is going to go away. It is a value. It is
not an issue. It may be a subject for legislation, but this is an
American value that is deeply felt across the board. And I am
determined that the stories of at least some of these DREAMers--I can't
do 800,000, although I am willing to take the time. That might lose
impact after awhile, after some of these great stories.
Listen to Maneri: ``I'm 18 years old and from Los Angeles. I just
graduated high school and will be attending UCLA to study political
science in the fall. Being an undocumented student has been tough.
Coming to this country at 6 years old completely changed my life.
Learning English and doing well in school was a battle since everyone
in my finally only spoke Spanish. . . . Being a DREAMer also shaped who
I am, what I stand for. . . . After graduation, I hope to go to law
school. . . . ''
I already told you this story, but it bears repeating.
``I dream that one day, your immigration status doesn't define your
path. . . . ''
Alonso: ``Growing up undocumented in Utah truly shaped me into the
person I am today. My experiences growing up in the margins of society
inform the work I do and the work I seek to continue doing in this
life. I am passionate about working with undocumented students and
families and strive to share all of my knowledge and experiences with
the undocumented community as well the community as a whole.
``I was born in Peru and emigrated to the United States when I was
11. I arrived in Utah with my brother to unite with our mother, who had
come to the U.S. a year before our arrival. Six months after arriving
in the U.S. with a tourist visa, my visa expired. . . . ''
So he came into the country with legal status. And this is something
I think that is really important. Not everybody who is undocumented
came here in an undocumented fashion. Some of the documentation is
expired and, in the case of DACA, just a question of when the mail hit
and what day it was received by the government.
``I was 12 and a hardworking student, earning good grades working
toward a future that would allow me to repay my mom for all of her
sacrifices. As a high school student, I enrolled in honors and AP
courses, which challenged
[[Page H925]]
me and furthered my plans of earning a higher education.
``I graduated from high school with a diploma of merit and went to
the University of Utah, where I would major in sociology and be
mentored by incredible individuals. Most pointedly, Matt Bradley Ph.D.,
rest in peace 2012; Caitlyn Cahill, Ph.D.; and David Quijada Cerecer,
Ph.D. My mentors showed me that my work, insight, and contributions as
an undocumented student are important. . . . ''
Now, imagine, this child came in documented but became undocumented
when the visa expired.
``. . . and I truly owe them for showing me that I matter for being
who I am.
``In 2013, I graduated from the University of Utah with an honors
bachelor of science in sociology, and in 2016 with a master's in
education . . . with an emphasis on higher education administration. I
am currently the Dreamer Program Coordinator for the University of
Utah, which is the first center for DREAMers in the State of Utah.''
God bless you, Utah.
``In the future, I would like to pursue a Ph.D. in sociology with a
focus on immigration and labor studies.''
This is important because, once again, as has been consistent in
these themes, the DREAMers are grateful for the mentoring they have
received from people in our country, some of whom shared their
heritage, most of whom did not. That is the beautiful thing about the
DREAMers: they know that they have a dream, but somebody else had a
plan for their own dream that inspired the DREAMers to have their plan.
{time} 1200
When Yuri Hernandez was only 3 years old, her family brought her to
the United States from Mexico. Yuri grew up in the town of Coos Bay in
Oregon. In high school, she was an honor roll student who was very
active in her community. Yuri went on to attend the University of
Portland, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work.
Yuri is now a graduate student at the University of Michigan School
of Social Work. She is planning to graduate with a master's in social
work in the fall of 2017. In her spare time, she tutors and mentors
high school students. Yuri dreams of becoming a social worker and
giving back to her community.
Rey Pineda was brought to America when he was 2 years old. The first
in his family to attend college and a devout Catholic, Rey is now a
priest in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Georgia. If DACA
is eliminated, Father Rey will lose his legal status and could be
deported back to Mexico, a tragedy for Father Rey and his congregation.
After the most divisive election in recent memory, Father Rey and
other DACA recipients have a key role to play in healing the
differences that divide us.
Oscar Cornejo, Jr., was brought to Park City, Utah, when he was 5
years old. He was an excellent student throughout his childhood and now
attends Dartmouth. If DACA is eliminated, Oscar will lose his legal
status and could be deported back to Mexico, a country he hasn't lived
in since he was 5 years old.
Will America be stronger if we deport Oscar? Will America be stronger
if we deport Oscar, or if he stays here and achieves his dream of
becoming an educator? The answer is clear. DACA works.
Lisette Diaz was just 6 years old when her family brought her to the
U.S. from Chile. Growing up in Long Island, Lisette excelled in school
and was involved in her community. She went on to attend Harvard, where
she received numerous awards and participated in a variety of
extracurricular activities. Lisette recently graduated Harvard with
honors.
Lisette and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country,
but Donald Trump and other Republicans have made their agenda clear.
They want to shut down DACA and DAPA and deport hundreds of thousands
of DREAMers and American children.
That is Lisette's view. I hope that we have a better understanding of
where the President may be on this. We don't want Lisette to be
deported back to Chile, a country where she hasn't lived since she was
6 years old.
When Cynthia Sanchez was just 7 years old, her family came to the
United States from Mexico. Cynthia grew up in Denver, Colorado, and was
an excellent student. She went on to attend the University of Denver,
where she received numerous awards and scholarships and was an active
volunteer.
In 2010, Cynthia graduated from college with a degree in cognitive
neuroscience, which is a double major in psychology and biology, as
well as a minor in chemistry.
In 2013, she applied for DACA and was approved that summer. By
September, Cynthia was working at Northwestern University in Chicago
doing clinical research in the Department of Medicine's Division of
Cardiology. Her research focuses on improving treatment for patients
who suffer from heart disease.
Cynthia said: ``DACA has meant a new realm of opportunities for me,
it has opened new doors for me, and it has allowed me to once again see
my dream as a reality. I truly believe that if those opposed to DACA or
the Dream Act had a chance to sit and chat with undocumented students,
their opinions might change. They would see capable, smart, hardworking
individuals who are Americans in every sense of the word, love this
country, and want to contribute to its prosperity. After all, this is
our home.''
That is really very beautiful. I do believe that the more our
colleagues know the DREAMers, the better it will be for our country.
Vasthy Lamadrid came to the United States from Mexico when she was
only 5 years old. Despite her family's modest means, Vasthy felt safe
and excelled in school. Math was her best subject, and she had nearly
perfect scores on standardized tests.
In middle school, Vasthy discovered the love of engineering. She
excelled academically and was active in her community.
Vasthy has gone on to attend Arizona State University, again, I
mention, a great school. Because of her immigration status, she does
not qualify for any government assistance and has to pay out-of-state
tuition, despite having lived in Arizona for most of her life.
To help pay for her education, Vasthy decided to crowdfund her
college education. Vasthy shared her story online, and this brought in
enough contributions to pay for her tuition. She is currently in her
second year of college. In her first semester, she made the dean's list
with a 3.79 GPA in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.
Thanks to DACA, Vasthy is able to work to support herself and
volunteer in her community. As a result of her volunteer work, Vasthy
has decided that she wants to become a science teacher.
Okay. So I have been going through some of these rather quickly in
order to get as many of them in the Record as possible. But I do want
to change my pace a little bit because some of these stories are so
emotion-filled, and I can place the statement in the Record, but I want
to deliver the stories.
I am trying to be respectful of other people's time, but I am also
trying to be respectful of the challenge that we face and the need for
us to find a solution which is clear in sight for our DREAMers.
Fernando's family came to the United States when he was 9 years old.
In high school, Fernando was an AP Scholar and received the
International Baccalaureate Diploma and the achievement award in
foreign language for French.
Fernando continued to excel academically at Santa Clara University,
where he graduated cum laude with a double major in biology and french.
Now a third-year doctoral student at UC San Francisco--the ultimate,
fabulous place, right--Fernando--it is very hard to get in--works at
the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he is
working hard to provide new insights into many diseases and disorders.
Again, giving back.
Denisse Rojas--in 1990, Denisse tells her story that when she was an
infant, her parents carried her across the Southwest border with the
hope of giving her and her siblings a better life. Just think of this
family, so courageous. Denisse's family settled in Fremont, California.
[[Page H926]]
Denisse said, in her words: ``In grade school, I recall feeling
different from my peers; my skin color was darker, my English was
stilted, I was poor, and I was undocumented.''
In 2012, when President Obama established DACA, Denisse's life
changed. As a DACA recipient, Denisse's dreams finally seemed within
reach. She was able to apply to medical schools that before would have
turned her away because of her immigration status. This meant that she
could focus on pursuing a career in medicine and no longer fear the
possibility of losing the only home she had ever known.
Denisse said: ``I have pledged allegiance to this Nation's values
since my first day of school; I consider the United States my home.
Furthermore, serving others has instilled in me the notion that
everyone deserves the opportunity for prosperity. I thus aim to
dedicate my life to serving others as a physician and continuing to be
a voice for immigrants.''
Reading Denisse's story about her being concerned in grade school,
``I recall feeling different from my peers; my skin color was darker,
my English was stilted,'' I am reminded of my own grandson. He is
Irish, English, whatever, whatever, and Italian American. He is a mix,
but he looks more like the other side of the family, shall we say.
When he had his sixth birthday, he had a very close friend whose name
is Antonio. He is from Guatemala, and he has beautiful tan skin,
beautiful brown eyes, and the rest. This was such a proud day for me
because when my grandson blew out the candles on his cake, I said:
``Did you make a wish? And he said: ``Yes, I made a wish.'' We said:
``What is your wish.'' He said: ``I wish I had brown skin and brown
eyes like Antonio.'' It was so beautiful, so beautiful.
The beauty is in the mix. The face of the future for our country is
all-American, and that has many versions.
Kok-Leong Seow: ``None of my friends from my hometown know. My
parents raised me to be gritty, never to complain or take handouts. I
didn't want to have a victim mentality or be known for being
undocumented. But I realized that sharing my story would be
therapeutic, raise awareness, and help other underprivileged people.
``I came to America when I was 6 years old. My parents grew up poor
and risked so much to move us here with hopes of giving us a better
life. My dad is a waiter at a small restaurant, which is enough to put
food on the table and clothes on our backs. We pay taxes, abide by all
laws, and don't live on welfare.
``As for me, I can't legally work, drive, fly, or have health
insurance. I've missed out on numerous opportunities because of my
situation. Fortunately, I was able to pursue college.
``Fast forward 4 years, I have graduated magna cum laude in computer
engineering from Wichita State University. I was at the top of my
class, number one in my major, wrote two first-author papers, won
research awards, and have a patent pending.
``Consequently, I was accepted into graduate school at Columbia
University. However, due to my status, I'm unable to obtain a stipend
to continue my education. Receiving DACA would grant me the opportunity
to acquire the funding I need, provide for my family, and master my
craft to realize my full potential. But due to election results,
applying for DACA is simply not a favorable option anymore.
``Without DACA, many live in daily fear of deportation. I've had
friends whose families were torn apart.''
This is Kok-Leong Seow.
``These are genuine, everyday struggles, and it's easy to dismiss it
because it's not happening to your family. To truly empathize, you need
to dig deep and allow yourself to feel our pain and our anxiety.''
This is a very important message, for us to dig deep and experience
their pain and anxiety.
``Many non-Native Americans seem to forget that they, too, have
immigration in their blood. Just like everyone else, we simply want an
opportunity to contribute to the only home that we know. Ironically,
I've enjoyed the adversity. I feel alive under pressure. I am unfazed
and undocumented. I'm not going anywhere.''
He is not leaving.
Gladys Klamka, Phillispburg, New Jersey. ``Patience and heartache is
how I would describe my past. I was 2 when my family made the most
important decision for us. Moving to the U.S. meant a second chance for
me. If we had stayed in Mexico, my folks would have made a decision to
give me up for adoption. We settled in NJ for economic relief.
``Unfortunately, at the age of 4, my innocence was stolen from me. I
was sexually molested by a 16-year-old boy, but my parents didn't
report it, they didn't understand the law, for fear of deportation.
Both of my parents worked full time to keep a roof over our heads. I
wasn't able to go off to college financially or drive or travel. I got
used to doors slamming in my face,'' Gladys writes.
``I was about 14 when my parents explained to me about our status.
Confused about my future, I decided to push harder. I finished school,
worked full time, and contributed back to the community.
``I received a taxpayer ID issued by the IRS in 1997. I always
thought it was funny that the government will take our money but not
let us work legally in this country.
``I applied for DACA in 2012. I still remember the day I opened my
approval letter. My father said: `Now I don't have to worry about you.'
``I now own my own home, car, and I work in the healthcare system.
After election day, I wondered if this dream would soon end. It's been
a hard reality check that privileges could be taken away. I only hope
for other young DREAMers and undocumented children like myself to make
the leap to push that shut door open, to know a dream of wanting more
is not impossible.''
This is one of the DREAMers I met at the State of the Union. Perhaps
you remember, America is her name. She was the guest of David Price
from North Carolina, and she spoke at our press event with the
DREAMers.
America immigrated to the U.S. when she was 2 years old and has lived
in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 22 years. Thanks to DACA, she was able
to earn bachelor's and master's degrees. She now teaches English as a
second language at Sanderson High School in Raleigh. She was just so
lovely. We thank David Price for introducing her to us.
Another guest at that same press conference, as some of you may
recall, was the guest of Senator Kamala Harris. Denea Joseph is her
name. Denea is a DACA recipient who came to America from Belize when
she was 7 years old without her mother, father, or siblings. She
attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she advocated
for the creation of an immigration attorney position and worked to
increase financial aid for undocumented youth across the UC system. I
wish you could have heard her personally tell her story with such
intellect and such passion.
{time} 1215
She goes on here to say: As a Young People For fellow, Denea
addressed undocumented youths' educational access and retention. Her
story was featured in the LA Magazine's historic immigration issue, and
is currently on display as part of the Undocumented Stories Exhibit at
downtown UCLA Labor Center. She is a communications coordinator for
UndocuBlack Network--UndocuBlack is a resource to us. Many of the
DREAMers are Black--where she advocates for the representation of
UndocuBlack immigrants within the mainstream immigrant narrative. She
aspires to be a human rights attorney, advocating for the rights of the
most marginalized around the globe.
I mentioned here that her story is featured in LA Magazine's historic
immigration issue and is on display at the downtown UCLA Labor Center,
and now it will be part of the Congressional Record.
Miriam Ochoa-Garibay said: ``I'm 18 years old and I'm a DACA student
currently enrolled at the University of California, Riverside. I came
here from a Mexican background. I was born in the Mexican state of
Michoacan, but I've been living in the United States since I was 2. I
went to preschool, kinder, elementary, intermediate school, and high
school in the State of California. I always loved school. I remember
being a little girl and getting home from school, and the first thing I
did was start my homework. I remember that, as early as elementary
school,
[[Page H927]]
there was this test called GATE. It was supposed to be the smart kids'
test, and every year I passed it. I remember being an honors student.
My parents were very persistent on me getting good grades because that
meant a better future. It wasn't until I was in high school where I
realized that maybe it was going to take more than just good grades to
go to college. I became really aware that I was undocumented. I became
fearful that I was not going to have a `better future' because I was
undocumented. I knew that, financially, my parents weren't going to be
able to pay for college. So when DACA came into place, it was a huge
relief. There was finally a program that accepted me, an undocumented
student. DACA means everything to me. Not only do I have financial aid
for my college tuition, but I was granted the opportunity to work
legally''--to work legally. How lovely--``to find a job and be able to
make money for my needs. DACA became a reassuring force to many
students like myself, whose only desire is to be given an education in
order to become a successful factor of this society. I am proud to be
Mexican, but I'm also proud to be part of America's great educational
system. DACA has given me the opportunity to dream of my own white
picket fence one day.''
This is interesting to me because, as an Italian American myself, I
always reference, which is so obvious when people are proud of their
heritage, especially newer immigrants, to see the pride that they take
in their heritage and the fierce patriotism they have for America. That
was what we saw in our community when I was growing up: fiercely
patriotic Americans, while very proud of their heritage. And that is
who people are. That is their authentic self: patriotic Americans proud
of their heritage. We want to make this, as was said in this, to be
legal.
Ana Sanchez is from Elgin, Texas. I don't know if they say Elgin in
Texas. Ana says: ``Like any other beneficiary of DACA, I, for once,
have been given the opportunity to pursue my dreams by attaining higher
education and a job. I am Ana Sanchez, an 18-year-old undocumented
student who was brought to this country when I was only 2 years old.
Due to living conditions in my home country, my parents decided to
immigrate to the United States to offer me and my sister a much better
education and a better future. Growing up, I was aware that I had been
born in Mexico, however, I did not know the effects of being
undocumented until high school came about. Now that I am older, I
realize who I am in the eyes of the government, and it saddens me to
know that people believe these misconceptions of us. I mean, ever since
we arrived to Texas, my dad has risked his health and life by working
under dangerous conditions just to earn enough money to provide food
and shelter for my family. When it was announced that DACA would be
available for people like me, my family did not think twice. We all
knew it was an advantage and a precious opportunity the country had
given us. Finally, we were given the chance to prove that we are part
of this country's future and success.
``Because of DACA, I am able to say that I am a part-time student and
part-time staff for an afterschool program. I am two steps closer to
becoming a businesswoman and a teacher, and that gives me hope. Sadly,
however, the new administration has posed threats that will make my
hope and my dreams unreachable. If the permit is taken away, our hard
work will become worthless. I want to give back to this country, so I
yearn Congress to give me that chance.''
Many of the stories that I have been reading so far have been, but
not all, about people in our own hemisphere. But it is important to
note that many undocumenteds are from the Asian-Pacific region. Many
are from Africa or from the Caribbean. That is our hemisphere, but not
in terms of Latin America, but in terms of the Caribbean. So some are
even from other places that are not necessarily ethnically diverse.
Here is one story about Ha Eun Lee. Today I want to tell you about Ha
Eun Lee. When Ha Eun was 6 years old, her family came to the United
States from South Korea. She grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Here is what Ha Eun says about her childhood in the United States of
America: ``I was fortunate enough to grow up learning that diversity is
encouraged and differences are not just tolerated but welcomed.''
Ha Eun was a good student and committed to public service. In high
school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, received the
Principal's Academic Achievement Award, and was an Oakland Activities
Association Scholar Athlete. She was a member of the track and field
team for all 4 years of high school.
Ha Eun is now a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in
English. She volunteers with the Red Cross and is the co-president of
an organization called The Supply. The Supply raises money to help
students in Nairobi, Kenya, to attain an education.
She is from South Korea, an all-American girl, now a co-president of
an organization that raises money to help students in Nairobi, Kenya,
to attain an education.
As co-president, Ha Eun has expanded the organization's efforts to
include volunteering locally with Detroit charities.
Ha Eun was also a policy and programs intern for the Asian Americans
Advancing Justice Center. As Ha Eun completes her last year of college,
she dreams of becoming a lawyer to defend civil rights.
Ha Eun wrote me a letter, and she said: ``Although I'm legally
labeled as an `alien' in this country I call home, I believe I am
American. And I believe this not solely because I live, study, work,
and contribute in this country, but because I believe in the core
values all Americans shares as a nation: liberty, justice, and
prosperity.''
Ha Eun and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country.
But without DACA or the Dream Act, they will be deported back to
countries where they haven't lived in since they were children.
Will America be a stronger country if we deport people like Ha Eun?
The answer is clear. That is a question that has arisen throughout.
We asked it earlier.
Will America be a stronger country if we deport--fill in the blank
with the name?
But I love what Ha Eun has said: ``And I believe this not solely
because I live, study, work, and contribute in this country, but
because I believe in the core values all Americans share as a nation:
liberty, justice, and prosperity.''
Tomas Evangelista is a DACA recipient from Auburn, California. At the
age of 2, he came to the United States from Mexico with his mother in
search of a better life. Unfortunately, after a year of being together
in the United States, his mother passed away from cancer.
Can you imagine?
His grandparents took him in and he grew up in northern California,
where he ran cross country and track at Pacer High School.
These all-American kids, it is just a beautiful story.
Following his high school career, Tomas received an associate of arts
in social science, and, in 2014, he completed his bachelor's of arts
degree. Today, he works for the nonprofit organization Latino
Leadership Council. He also intends to attend Lincoln Law School in
Sacramento, California, in spring of 2018.
Tomas cofounded California Dreamers with fellow DACA recipient Doris
Romero. They seek to change the negative narratives surrounding
immigration with facts. They want to change the narrative with facts,
the truth, through sharing personal stories. The ultimate goal is to
encourage immigration reform and to establish a pathway to citizenship.
Vanessa Rodriguez story: ``My name is Vanessa Rodriguez, and they all
call me Undocumented Dreamer. Undocumented because I was born south of
the United States border, and Dreamer because that was the inherent
last name that my parents gave me when they risked their souls to give
me a better future.''
They called her Dreamer--called her Dreamer as her last name.
Vanessa continues to say: ``I have lived in Texas for 12 years, and
for 12 years I have known no other home. My father works in
construction and my mother works as a housemaid. Their hard work and
humble occupations have given my family a chance to do more and dream
higher; a chance that
[[Page H928]]
made me the salutatorian of my class and a recipient of the State of
Texas Student Hero Award. However, their work only granted me a chance
to dream, not a chance to accomplish. Only the government could grant
me that. So, for years, I lived under the notion of fear and
uncertainty. DREAMers like me kept their dreams and secured them in a
box called `limitations.' It was until the arrival of DACA that things
changed for us. DACA enabled us to pursue and achieve more. For me, it
meant an opportunity at pursuing hiring education, obtaining a job, and
acquiring something called temporary security. One year of this
security from deportation was what made the beginning of my dream a
success. I was free from fear of deportation that enabled me to gain
competence in my abilities.''
People sharing their stories in such a clear way, and, in many cases,
a very well-written way.
Vanessa continues to say: ``A few weeks ago I finished my first
semester at the University of Texas at Austin''--which is a very hard
school to get into, by the way--``and although I was a full-time
student with two part-time jobs, I still managed to obtain an
outstanding GPA. DACA has made all these accomplishments possible and
it has been the difference between simply existing and living a dream.
``As the time approaches for the new administration to come in, the
fear is starting to become more evident. The uncertainty and anxiety is
real.
``My question to Congress is: When will you unchain my dreams? When
my only hope is taken away alongside DACA? Or will you fight to protect
students like me from deportation?''
It is not even a fight. It is a simple decision. It is a simple
decision. It has been made easy by separating it from the more
complicated and controversial aspects of comprehensive immigration
reform, which we must address. It is about the children. It is about
the children.
Alonso R. Reyna Rivarola's story goes like this. ``I will always
remember the day DACA was announced. It was June 15, 2012, and I was
camping for a retreat with students, friends, and colleagues from the
Mestizo Arts & Activism Collective, a youth participatory action
research collective in Salt Lake City, Utah. At approximately 10 a.m.,
the group took a break from the agenda, which I used to go back to the
tent to check on my phone. When I turned my phone back on, I was taken
aback by the number of text messages, missed calls, and voicemails I
was receiving. Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz.
`` `The Dream Act has passed!' shouted a close friend of mine, a
fellow DREAMer, in a voicemail. I was excited, yet confused by her
words, knowing at the time no Dream Act bill was being debated in the
U.S. Congress or Senate. However, as confused as I was, I was too
adrenalized at the possibility that a quiet Dream Act boxcar bill had
made its way into becoming a law.
``After returning her call, we shared our feelings of excitement and
confusion regarding the matter at hand. Then she informed me President
Barack Obama would be making an announcement at any moment. As soon as
I hung up, I read through a few more text messages, called my mom, and
ran outside the tent to inform the MAA family about the news.''
Can you just imagine the excitement? They were out camping.
Alonso continues to say: ``Within a few minutes, all MAA participants
crammed ourselves into two cars in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where we
tuned into the radio eager to listen to President Obama announce the
program which we all have come to know as consideration of Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA.''
{time} 1230
``My story is one of hundreds of thousands of DACA stories across the
United States. We all have different backgrounds, first and last names,
interests, journeys, and goals; however, we all have at least one thing
in common: we are all American DREAMers. Since DACA, I have earned an
honors B.S. in sociology and M.Ed. in educational leadership and policy
from the University of Utah. I am an active community member and have
most recently been honored to serve as the Dream Program Coordinator at
the University of Utah, where I seek to support undocumented students,
with and without DACA, to access, persist, and achieve a higher
education in the country we all call home.''
The way they write these stories and the excitement and the anxiety
that they convey is really something that the printed word may not
convey. But I hope at least the Record will show the cumulative effect
of all of these stories. I wish you could see them.
A person who has seen more of them than anyone honors us with his
presence in the Chamber. We all get emotional on this subject, but no
one has put more brainpower and passion into this subject than the
distinguished Senator from Illinois.
He has served in this body for a long time, so we know of his
leadership and his values. But for all the years he has served in
public life before Congress and since, and in the House and now as a
leader in the Senate, the DREAMers have been a priority for half of his
service in public life.
He first introduced the DREAM Act in 2001 into the Senate. It was
introduced over on our side by Lucille Roybal-Allard around the same
time. She is the mother, the godmother of the DREAM Act that has been
advanced.
In 2010, we were able to pass the DREAM Act in the House under the
leadership of Mr. Durbin, Senator Durbin. It received a majority of the
votes in the United States Senate but did not reach the 60 threshold,
and so the discussion goes on. As you know, shortly thereafter, a
couple of years later, President Obama issued the DACA executive order.
None of this success would have been possible without the leadership,
persistence, optimism, and the courage of Senator Durbin. He has heard
all of these stories, so many of these stories firsthand for nearly two
decades. I congratulate him.
And as I have said earlier, our call today is for our Speaker to give
the same opportunity to House Members to vote on a DREAMers bill, just
as they were able to achieve in the Senate.
Senator McConnell, the Senate leader, has been working with a
bipartisan group of which he has always been a part--it has always been
about bipartisanship--pledged to bring to the Senate floor a vehicle
that the Senate will act upon, no guarantees. The Senate will work its
will. What dignity that brings to the United States Senate, what
commitment to the purpose of America that is there.
We feel like second-class Members of Congress over here when it is
not within our realm to discuss something that is being discussed
across the country, in the Senate of the United States, at the White
House. But here, we can't have the opportunity to officially discuss
legislation that is on the floor.
That is why I am taking this time, my congressional leadership 1-
minute, to read into the Record these inspiring stories. Again, it
brings tears to my eyes. Excuse me for being emotional about it, but
when I think of the contribution that Senator Durbin has made to this,
the stories he has heard, the stories he has told--I have seen him
receive with great respect and honor across the country getting so many
awards from people who see him as a person who understands their
anxiety and concern but, as important as that, their possibilities and
their contribution to America.
That is why, as I said earlier, Senator Durbin should think of this
as the CHIP versus healthcare; as the chair of the Congressional
Hispanic Caucus, Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, has described in
front of the Rules Committee, think of this as CHIP versus healthcare,
children versus comprehensive immigration reform.
This is one clear opportunity where we can come together not as a
substitute for comprehensive, but as a step, confidence building, trust
building, in a bipartisan way, with transparency and in a unifying way
for our country.
So I thank the gentleman, Senator Durbin.
Because of the leader minute, I am not able to yield; otherwise, I
would have nearly 200 people seeking recognition on the floor to tell
the stories of their DREAMers. I have told some of them, but our
colleagues are so committed and unified on this subject, and their
constituents are.
But even if a colleague on the other side of the aisle would say,
``Will the gentlewoman yield?'' the rules do not
[[Page H929]]
allow me to yield, so I am keeping the time.
As said earlier before the gentleman came, I thought about saying the
Rosary on the floor to pray for our leadership to act with a heart full
of love, both here and at the White House, on this subject. I said not
just 5 decades, all 15 decades, including the Glorious Mysteries. They
were the sad ones in the middle: the Agony in the Garden, the Crowning
with Thorns, Scourging at the Pillar, the Crucifixion. Then it takes us
to the Glorious Mysteries. But all of it is prayerful. I believe in
prayer.
And so many of our, as I call it, Bible constituency--not the
National Catholic Conference of Bishops but the evangelical community--
has been so spectacular in supporting immigrants to our country and,
especially in this case, of DACA.
This is the statement of the United States Catholic Conference of
Bishops:
``The president and vice president, along with the chairman of the
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops''--in this case, meaning the
president of the organization--``along with the chairman of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement denouncing the
administration's termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals program after 6 months.
``The following statement from the USCCB''--that is, the United
States Catholic Conference of Bishops--``President Cardinal Daniel N.
DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, along with USCCB Vice President
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles; Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of
Austin, chairman, Committee on Migration; and Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of
Yakima, chairman of the Subcommittee on Pastoral Care, Migrants,
Refugees, and Travelers says the `cancellation of the DACA program is
reprehensible.'
``Over 780,000 youth received protection from the DACA program since
its inception by the Department of Homeland Security in 2012. DACA
provided no legal status or government benefits but did provide
recipients with temporary employment authorization to work in the
United States and a reprieve from deportation.''
A quote by the Bishops: `` `The cancellation of the DACA program is
reprehensible. It causes unnecessary fear for DACA youth and their
families. These youth entered the United States as minors and often
know America as their only home. The Catholic Church has long watched
with pride and admiration as DACA youth live out their daily lives with
hope and a determination to flourish and contribute to society:
continuing to work and provide for their families, continuing to serve
in the military, and continuing to receive an education. Now, after
months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these brave young
people face deportation. This decision is unacceptable and does not
reflect who we are as Americans.' ''
The bishops go on to say: `` `The Church has recognized and
proclaimed the need to welcome young people: ``Whoever welcomes one of
these children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not
welcome me but the One who sent me''--Mark 9:37.' ''
That is so beautiful because what they are saying is, when you reject
these newcomers, you are rejecting who sent them, and who sent them but
our Lord.
Today, our Nation has done the opposite of how Scripture calls us to
respond. It has stepped back from the progress that we need to make as
a country.
``Today's actions represent a heartbreaking moment in our history
that shows the absence of mercy and goodwill and a shortsighted vision
of the future. DACA youth are woven into the fabric of our society and
our Church, and are, by every social and human measure, American youth.
``We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward
a legislative solution. We pledge our support to work on finding an
expeditious means of protection for DACA youth.''
The bishops go on to say: ``As people of faith, we say to DACA youth,
regardless of your immigration status, you are children of God and
welcome in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church supports you and
will advocate for you.''
That is such a beautiful statement.
As I noted earlier, tomorrow is the National Prayer Breakfast, and
many people who will be gathered there are among those who have been so
supportive of our DREAMers. We thank them for their leadership and
their courage. I mentioned some earlier. I don't know if these people
will be there tomorrow, but certainly members of their church. As I
mentioned, Dr. Sam Rodriguez, Reverend Sam Rodriguez has spoken out as
a leader in the evangelical community.
So, hopefully, tomorrow, as they pray and come together, they will be
speaking about what we see from the pulpit, from the bishops, from the
evangelical community. If you believe that we are all God's creation,
as I do, as people of faith do--and I do believe faith is a gift that
everyone doesn't have.
So you may not have that same perspective, but if you do believe--and
I believe that everyone gathered there tomorrow will believe--and many
people across our country subscribe to ``In God We Trust,'' then you
must subscribe to what the Bible tells us. To minister to the needs of
God's creation is an act of worship; to ignore those needs is to
dishonor the God who made us, dishonor the God who made us, reflected
in the Gospel of Matthew that I referenced earlier.
So when we are thinking about this subject, we also have to recognize
the diversity in our DREAMer population.
In 2002, Luke was 11 years old. His family brought him to the United
States from South Korea.
The Senator has left us, but Senator Durbin inspires us. He is such a
great leader on this subject because it is from the heart and the right
thing to do, but with great intellect, to have a vision and a dream,
but an intellect with a plan to get the job done.
There is a clear path. It exists in the Senate. We don't know why
that door is shut to us in the House. We call upon the Speaker to open
the same door in the House, through discussion, that is in the Senate.
I want to commend, once again, Senator Durbin for his extraordinary
leadership. DREAMers know him.
In 2002, when Luke was 11 years old, his family brought him to New
York State from South Korea. Luke grew up in Palisades Park, New
Jersey. Here is what Luke said about growing up in Palisades Park:
``It didn't take long for me to adjust and assimilate because my
elementary school offered bilingual classes in Korean and English. This
is the kind of America I have known and experienced--not just mundanely
accepting diversity, but going above and beyond to serve the unique
needs of a diverse community.''
From an early age, Luke had a passion for science. He was accepted
into a math and sciences magnet high school called Bergen County
Academies, which was ranked by Newsweek as one of the top five public
high schools in the country. At Bergen County Academies, Luke won
several awards at regional science fairs. He also volunteered as an
emergency medical technician in the local ambulance corps.
In 2013, Luke graduated--are you ready?--summa cum laude with a
bachelor's of science in chemistry and received an award for the
highest grade point average of any chemistry major.
{time} 1245
This brilliant young man is currently a Ph.D. graduate in chemistry
at the University of Chicago. He also works as a researcher at the
university. In his spare time--in his spare time, how does he have
spare time--but in his spare time, he also works as a researcher. He
volunteers for the Chicago Korean American Resource and Cultural
Center, an organization that provides services to disadvantaged members
of the community. Good for you, Luke.
Consider this: without legal status, Luke's talents would have been
squandered. But now, thanks to DACA, when we had DACA, Luke was on the
road toward making his childhood passion into a promising career as a
scientist.
Luke has written: ``DACA did much more than shielding me from
deportation and changing my immediate circumstances; it gave me a new
faith and brought out a new me to reject fear and continue worthwhile
pursuits. DACA has been tremendously empowering. Wherever I find myself
in the future, I hope to mentor, encourage, and ultimately empower
others.''
[[Page H930]]
Luke and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country.
Do we need more talented scientists like Luke Hwang in America? Of
course we do. Will America be stronger if we deport Luke Hwang or if he
stays here to contribute his talents to America's future? The answer
should be obvious. I thank Luke.
Her parents brought her to the United States from the Philippines
when she was 5 years old. Mithi grew up in California. She was an
excellent student who dreamed of becoming a doctor. In high school,
Mithi was on the principal's honor roll and was an AP scholar. She
received the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma and is a Governor's
Scholar Award recipient. Mithi was admitted to the University of
California, Los Angeles, one of the Nation's top universities.
Congresswoman Waters would attest to that. UCLA is one of the Nation's
top universities. We all are proud of the UC system.
At UCLA, Mithi volunteers as a research assistant in lab studies of
infants at high risk of developing autism. That was her field. She also
volunteers as a crisis counselor for UCLA Peer Helpline advising
students who are victims of rape, child abuse, and substance abuse.
Mithi eventually became a trainer for new counselors.
Mithi also volunteers as a mentor and tutor for at-risk middle school
children in Los Angeles. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in
psychology. But her options were limited, Mr. Speaker, because of her
immigration status. She was unable to pursue her dream of becoming a
doctor.
Then, in 2012, President Obama established the DACA program, and
Mithi's world changed. Mithi began working as a research assistant at
the UCLA School of Medicine, and she applied to attend medical school.
During her spare time, Mithi continues to volunteer with the Autism
Research Lab where she started her research career 7 years ago. She
also serves as a peer mentor to 10 undergraduate students at UCLA.
Mithi wrote to Congress these words: ``Please, please listen to our
stories. This is my home, and the only country I know. DACA gives us
greater opportunities to give back to the country we love.''
Listen to that sentence again, Mr. Speaker. Mithi wrote: ``DACA gives
us greater opportunities to give back to the country we love.''
That is what the DREAMers are about. Their dream is to give back to
America. They have benefited from our country. They want to give back;
and the courage, optimism, and fortitude that they have is really a
blessing.
Mithi and other DREAMers like her have so much to contribute. Will
America be stronger if we deport Mithi and others like her? Will we be
a better country if we tear apart American families? Of course not.
This is going to be a hard name for me to pronounce. It is Jirayut
New Latthivongskorn. His parents brought Jirayut to the United States
from Thailand when he was 9 years old. New--we will call him New. New
grew up in San Francisco. New said: ``I forced myself to read mystery
novels, dictionary in hand, in order to expand my vocabulary, one word
at a time. I mispronounced words, even in the face of ridicule, until I
mastered the English language.''
New became an excellent student and dreamed about becoming a doctor.
Throughout high school, New worked 30 hours a week at his family's Thai
restaurant. Here is what he said about the experience: ``I spent most
of my time at the restaurant working as a waiter, cashier, and chef,
scrubbing toilets, washing dishes, and mopping floors. It taught me to
have faith, work hard, and persevere.''
New's hard work paid off. He graduated as a salutatorian of his high
school class with a 4.3 grade point average. New was admitted to the
University of California, Berkeley, one of the top schools in
California--in the Nation. He won a scholarship that would have covered
most of his tuition, but he was unable to accept it because of his
immigration status.
Despite the setback, New persevered. In May, 2012, he graduated with
honors with a 3.7 grade point average with a major in molecular and
cellular biology.
Just 1 month after he graduated, President Obama established the DACA
program. As a result of DACA, New was able to pursue his dream of
becoming a doctor. That fall, New began medical school at the
University of California, San Francisco, a very difficult school to get
into. During his spare time, he volunteers at the homeless clinic that
is run by the students of the University of California, San Francisco.
In his spare time.
New has cofounded Pre-Health Dreamers, a national network of more
than 400 DREAMers who are pursuing careers in healthcare. New and other
DREAMers like him have so much to contribute to our country. Will
America be a stronger country if we deport New and others like him?
Will we be a better country if we tear apart American families? Of
course not. We all agree on that.
Aaima Sayed was brought to the United States from Pakistan when she
was only 3 years old. She grew up in Chicago like a typical American
kid. Aaima says: ``I have no memories but those of living in the United
States. I am an American in every way, except on paper.''
Aaima was an outstanding student. She graduated in the top 10 percent
of her high school class where she was secretary of the Spanish club--
mind you, she is from Pakistan. She was secretary of the Spanish club,
secretary of the math team, and a member of the National Honor Society
of High School Scholars. Aaima's dream was to become a physician.
Here is how she explains it: ``It completely breaks my heart to see
thousands of children die of treatable diseases due to inadequate basic
healthcare facilities, and I want to have the skills and ability to
change that.''
In January 2012, Aaima graduated from Rutgers University magna cum
laude, Mr. Speaker, with a major in psychology. She was on the dean's
list six times and has a grade point average of 3.75 out of 4. She was
a research assistant at Rutgers Department of Psychology and an intern
with the local cardiology practice. Aaima took the medical college
admission test, the MCAT, and scored in the 90th percentile--better
than 90 percent of those who took the test.
Shortly after she graduated, President Obama announced the DACA
program. Because of DACA, Aaima is now a medical student at Loyola
University pursuing her dream of becoming a physician. After she
graduates, she will work in a medically underserved area of Illinois.
Here is what Aaima said about the DACA impact on her: ``I went from
feeling hopeless and full of uncertainty regarding my future to feeling
confident and optimistic that I will one day get the opportunity to
help my community and people in other poverty-stricken areas.''
But if the House Republicans have their way, Aaima won't be able to
attend medical school and become a doctor. Instead, she will be
deported back to Pakistan, a country she hasn't lived in since she was
a toddler.
I wouldn't attribute it to the Republicans. I think that plenty of
Republicans are on board to help our DREAMers. That is what I am
hopeful about, just that we need to be given the chance to have a
respectful vote on all sides of the issue which we have bipartisan
Democrats' strong support, but strong Republican support as well.
Give us a vote, Mr. Speaker. Give us a chance. Treat this House with
the dignity it deserves so that we can represent the people and the
wishes of our country.
Will America be stronger if we deport Aaima? Of course not.
Today, I want to tell you about our Al Okere. Al was born in Nigeria.
In 1990, Al's father was killed by the Nigerian police after he wrote a
newspaper column criticizing the Nigerian Government. The killing of
Al's father was documented in the State Department's annual Human
Rights Reports. In 1995, Al's mother fled Nigeria and brought him to
the United States. He was only 5 years old at the time.
Al's mother applied for asylum, but her application was denied, and
she was deported in 2005, when Al was 15. Now, mind you, her husband
had been assassinated for articles that he had written criticizing the
Nigerian Government, a well-founded fear of persecution or danger in
Nigeria, yet her application was denied in 2005. Al was 15.
[[Page H931]]
Al graduated from Rogers High School near Tacoma, Washington. He
attended Central Washington University where he was an honors student
with a 3.5 grade point average. He was an active volunteer in his
community.
Here is what Al said about his goals for the future, and I quote Al
very proudly: ``I have been in accelerated academic programs most of my
educational life and hope to be a medical doctor some day to contribute
to the well-being of my fellow humans. I hope to continue to emulate
and walk in the great academic shoes of my late father, who earned a
Ph.D. degree from a university in Paris, France. My family and
community support has been enormous, and it gives me the zeal to work
hard in my studies, to be able to lend a hand to others in need, and to
realize a bright future!''
Al grew up in this country. We have already invested in Al, who has
received his entire education from kindergarten to college in the
United States. He has great potential to contribute to our society. He
does not remember anything about Nigeria and cannot speak any of
Nigeria's native languages.
Here is what Al said about the possibility of being deported: ``I do
not remember anything about my mother's country of Nigeria. I cannot
even speak the language. Every experience I have had in life that I can
remember have been in the United States of America. Everyone I know and
care about are all here, except for my mother, who was sadly removed
and remains in hiding in fear of her life.''
Would America be stronger if Al Okere were deported? Of course not.
Al is not an isolated example. There are literally thousands of others,
hundreds of thousands of others like him around the country. I thank Al
for being so generous in sharing his story.
I want to tell you about Novi Roy. Novi Roy grew up in the State of
Illinois. Novi was brought to the United States from India as a child.
He attended Evanston Township High School. This is a story that Senator
Durbin provided.
He attended Evanston Township High School where he graduated with a
3.9 grade point average. During high school, Novi began volunteering at
a soup kitchen in Rogers Park in Chicago, which he continues to do
today.
Novi went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he
graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics. Novi graduated from
the University of Illinois with two master's degrees, one in business
and one in human resources. Novi's dream is to be able to provide
affordable healthcare to the less fortunate.
Here is what he said in the letter he wrote to Dick Durbin: ``I love
America for all its opportunities, and, like any other aspiring
student, I want a chance to realize the American Dream. I owe the State
of Illinois, its taxpayers, and America a huge debt of gratitude for
the level of education I have attained thus far. I'm confident that my
education will serve me well enough to make a difference in people's
lives. There is nothing I would like more than to give back to the
community that has been so good to me.''
Novi grew up in this country. We have already invested in Novi, and
he has obtained a first-class education in Illinois. He has great
potential to contribute to our society. Will America be a stronger
nation if Novi is deported? Of course not. He has overcome the odds to
achieve great success. He would make America a strong country.
Again, Novi's story comes to us when he came from India as a child.
There is a large number of Asian-Pacific American Dreamers.
Yaniv Steltzer was brought to the United States by his parents from
Israel when he was just 3 years old, a DREAMer from Israel. He grew up
in this country like any other American child. In 2010, he graduated
from Richard Stockton College in New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in
hospitality and tourism management.
{time} 1300
In college, he was the chair of the Jewish Student Union/Hillel Club
and was an active volunteer with several other student groups.
Yaniv's dream is to open a restaurant. He wrote a letter, which said:
I fell in love with cooking in high school when I took a
home-economics class, and I knew this is what I wanted to do
for the rest of my life. I would love to give back to America
by opening my own restaurant, creating jobs, contributing to
the economy, and becoming a citizen in the country I love.
Unfortunately, under our immigration laws, Yaniv cannot become a
citizen. His father was born in the United States. But Yaniv was born
in Israel, so he is not an American citizen. Yaniv's father applied for
Yaniv to become a citizen, but because the process took so long, Yaniv
is no longer eligible.
Under our immigration laws, once Yaniv turned 21, his father could
not petition for Yaniv to become a citizen.
So, Yaniv, who has lived his whole life in this country since he was
3, since his father is an American citizen, he is an undocumented
immigrant. The only solution for him is the Dream Act.
Here is what Yaniv said about his situation:
America is the only country I know. I grew up here, all my
family and friends are here, and everything I know is
America. The Dream Act is important to me and also to many
others like me who are in the same situation. We have the
resources to help this country greatly, but don't have that
piece of paper that allows us to do this. I have high hope
and optimism that Congress will do the right and humane
thing, put all political issues aside, and pass the Dream
Act.
Yaniv is right.
I ask my colleagues: Would America be better off if we deported
Yaniv?
The answer is very obvious.
Eighteen years go, in 1992, Minhaz Khan's parents brought him to the
United States from Bangladesh. Minhaz was only 4 years old at the time,
and has overcome great obstacles to complete his education. In 2009, he
graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a
bachelor's degree in neuroscience.
Here is what he said about his dreams for the future:
``My dream is to make several contributions to science, and become a
physician's assistant as a career, and eventually a teacher as well. I
have great aspirations, but I do not dream of big houses or tons of
cars. I want normality, stability, and liberty.''
Today, Minhaz lives in Palo Alto, California, with his wife, who is
an American citizen. Minhaz spoke about what it would mean for him if
the Dream Act were to become law. Here is what he said:
``Imagine the countless numbers of individuals ready to contribute to
our society as law-abiding, successful individuals who live life with a
sense of strength and morality. Abraham Lincoln once said, `I have
always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice,' and
this is more true now than ever. I have a great amount of hope,
optimism, and belief in this country and that one day we will see the
Dream Act enacted into law.''
This is his statement, Minhaz Khan, from Bangladesh.
Another child brought here from India, as was an earlier DREAMer,
Mandeep Chahal. Mandeep was brought to the United States from India 14
years ago, when she was only 6 years old. A beautiful little child.
Mandeep has been an academic all-star. She was an honors pre-med
student at the University of California, Davis, where she majored in
neurology, physiology, and behavior.
Mandeep is also dedicated to public service. In high school, she
helped to found One Dollar for Life, a national poverty relief
organization. She was voted the member of her class ``Most likely to
Save the World. Imagine, most likely to save the world. At her college,
Mandeep is the co-president of STAND, an anti-genocide group.
Mandeep has so much to offer to our country. She wrote: ``I . . .
consider the United States my only home. My family, friends, and future
are in the United States, which is where I belong. My dream is to
become a pediatrician so I can treat the most helpless and innocent
among us. I hope to serve families in low-income communities who
otherwise are unable to afford medical care. I wish to remain in the
United States so that I can continue to make a positive difference and
give back to the community that has given me so much.''
How beautiful. You see the recurring theme of the DREAMers: wanting
to give back to America, appreciative of the opportunities they have
received here--the mentoring, the friendship, the love; wanting to give
back.
Dominique Nkata and Tapiwa Nkata. There are two.
[[Page H932]]
Tapiwa's and Dominique's parents, John and Joan Nkata, brought their
family to the United States from the African county of Malawi in 1990.
At the time, Tapiwa was 4 and Dominique was only 11 months old.
The Nkatas came here legally. They had work permits. John, an
ordained Christian minister, worked as a hospice counselor. Joan, his
wife--their mother--worked as an accountant.
The Nkatas filed papers to stay here permanently. For years, their
case was stuck in immigration court. Finally, in 2009, John and Joan
Nkata were granted legal permanent residence. But by that time, Tapiwa
and Dominique were adults and unable to obtain legal status through
their parents. That happens at 21.
Here is what Dominique said about being deported to Malawi: ``The
looming fear of having everything I know, including part of my family,
here in the United States, while I am removed to the other side of the
world, is crippling.''
Tapiwa said: ``I can't imagine my life in Africa. I am an American. I
know this culture and speak this language. I pledge allegiance to this
flag.''
It would be wrong to send these women back to Malawi, a country they
don't even remember. Remember, one of them was 11 months old when she
came.
In 2007, Tapiwa graduated summa cum laude from the University of
Cincinnati with a degree in finance. She then worked at an accounting
firm. She dreams of becoming a certified public accountant.
Tapiwa explained what America means to her: ``Quite simply, when you
say `The American Dream' all around the world, they know what you are
talking about. People who have never been to our shores, eaten our
food, or even spoken our language have heard of a prosperous nation
that, above all else, grants freedom and rights to all people.''
Dominique graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree
in chemistry and pre-medicine. Remember, her sister graduated summa cum
laude with a degree in finance. Dominique graduated with a degree in
chemistry and pre-medicine and began working at University Hospital and
the Jewish Hospital in the research department as a clinical studies
assistant.
Dominique planned to apply to medical school. She said: ``I dream of
being a doctor and of giving back to a country that has given so much
to me.''
Would America be better off if we deported Tapiwa and Dominique back
to Malawi?
Of course not. The Dream Act gives them a chance.
Let me introduce you to another DREAMer, Monji Dolon.
Monji's parents brought him to the United States from Bangladesh in
1991. He was 5 years old. As he grew up in his new home, he immersed
himself in the study of computers and technology.
Monji wrote: ``For as long as I can remember, I have had an intense
passion for technology. In middle school, that passion led to spending
many nights constructing remote-controlled model airplanes and Van de
Graaff generators. In high school, I fell in love with computers and
the internet, spending my senior year creating an online newspaper for
my school.''
Monji did not know about his immigration status until he was applying
for college. He asked his parents what to say about his status on his
college applications. That is when Monji learned that he was
undocumented.
In 2008, Monji graduated from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, an outstanding school. Very soon, Monji began to be
courted by the technology industry. He was even offered a job as the
lead engineer for a startup in Silicon Valley.
Monji's prospects would be limited because of his immigration status.
The Dream Act would give Monji a chance to pursue his dream and
contribute his talent to the country he calls home.
Here is what he has to say: ``I've turned down several great jobs
from reputable companies because of my status. The Dream Act would let
me take my passion for technology to the next level by allowing me to
move to Silicon Valley and pursue my dream as an internet
entrepreneur.''
So, we have someone like Monji, with his talents, his
entrepreneurship, his passion, and his intellect. What a resource to
our country.
I keep asking the question: Would America be better off if we
deported Monji back to Bangladesh, a country he left when he was 5
years old?
Of course not.
Herta Llusho was brought to the United States from Albania when she
was 11. She and her mother settled in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a suburb
of Detroit.
Herta and her mother came to the United States legally. Shortly
before arriving in America, Herta's mother filed an application to stay
in the United States.
Herta quickly learned English and became an academic star. She
graduated from Grosse Pointe High School with a 4.05 grade point
average. In high school, she was a member of the varsity track team,
won an Advanced Placement Scholar Award, and was a member of the
National Honor Society.
Herta then attended the University of Detroit Mercy, where she was an
honor student and studied to be an electrical engineer. She had a grade
point average of 3.98 and completed two internships at engineering
companies.
She is from Albania, I remind you.
Herta has been very involved with her community, volunteering at
homeless shelters, tutoring programs, and her church.
Listen to what one of her friends said about her: ``I am humbled by
Herta's willingness and desire to serve. I have had the privilege of
going to the same church at which she faithfully serves. She spends
hours tutoring kids and volunteering with the junior high Sunday school
class. It is a joy to watch so many children run up to her at church
because of the love they receive when they are with her.''
Would it be a good use of taxpayer dollars to deport Herta?
Of course not.
Again, there is so much discussion in the United States about the
need for more young people to study what is known as STEM--science,
technology, engineering, and math. Of course, we add the arts in there:
STEAM.
Every year, we issue tens of thousands of H-1B visas to bring foreign
students here to work in the STEM fields. Herta is a straight-A student
in electrical engineering, a STEM field. She doesn't need an H-1B visa.
She is a homegrown talent.
Herta came to Capitol Hill to speak at a briefing on the Dream Act.
Here is what she said: ``I'm a typical story. There's thousands of
stories out there just like mine. Please support the Dream Act so
students like me don't have to leave. We are worth it. This is the
country we have come to love.''
Herta is right. She and hundreds of thousands of others are worth it.
Eliphaz Omote is 25 years old, and he is from Keith Ellison's
district in Minnesota.
Eliphaz was born in Kenya and came to Minnesota at age 11. He didn't
know he was undocumented until he graduated from high school.
Imagine the maturity of these kids. They are teenagers, they are
babies, they are 11 years old, and all the rest, and carrying this
weight. Growing up is hard enough, right, but carrying this weight?
He writes: ``I wanted to go to college and pursue education, but I
couldn't. It was a grueling experience, especially for me being a
highly driven and ambitious person.''
After DACA, Eliphaz graduated from St. Cloud State University with a
degree in psychology and management. He is about to start classes for a
master's degree in divinity at Andrews University in Berrien Springs,
Michigan.
Eliphaz wants to be a chaplain in the United States Senate one day,
but he can only do that if the Dream Act passes. The Senate. Maybe the
House, if he were given a chance to, might rise to the level.
The Congressional Black Caucus--I mentioned earlier that the
chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus--has been very much
involved in this issue and they gave me these statistics.
There are 5,302 DACA recipients from Jamaica, 4,077 recipients from
Trinidad and Tobago, and 2,095 DACA recipients from Nigeria, just to
name a few. There are more, as I mentioned, from Africa, but this just
named the Nigerian ones here. I thank them for their work and the
effort on activities that have gone with this.
[[Page H933]]
We have another visitor from Albania. Things were tough in Albania a
while back. Our distinguished colleague, Mr. Eliot Engel, has been
Albania's best friend from Congress, but he can attest that there was
cause to leave at an earlier day.
Ola Kaso was brought to the United States by her mother from Albania
in 1998, when she was 5 years old. Ola went to high school in Warren,
Michigan. She was a valedictorian of her class. She took every advanced
placement class offered by her school.
Are you ready for this?
She had a 4.4 grade point average.
Ola was on the varsity cross country and tennis teams. She was
treasurer of the student council and treasurer of the National Honor
Society at her school. She tutors children who are learning English.
Ola was also a member of the homecoming court.
I don't have her picture here, but she was lovely.
{time} 1315
Ola was then accepted into the honors program at the University of
Michigan, where she would study premed.
Here is what she said about her dreams for the future:
``I aspire to ultimately become a surgical oncologist, but more
importantly, I intend to work for patients that cannot afford the
astronomical fees accompanying lifesaving surgeries, patients that are
denied the medical treatment they deserve. My goal is not to increase
my bank account; my goal is to decrease preventible deaths. I wish to
remain in this country to make a difference.''
How beautiful. Thank you, Ola, for sharing your story.
This takes a great deal of courage for these young people to share
their stories and the intimacy of the personal challenges they face, so
we thank them for their generosity of spirit as well as their courage.
Steve Li's parents brought him to the United States when he was 11.
He studied at City College of San Francisco, where he majored in
nursing and was a leader in student government.
Here is what Steve said: ``My dream is to become a registered nurse
at San Francisco General and to be a public health advocate. I want to
be able to give back to my community by raising awareness about
preventive care and other healthcare issues. I'm well on my way to
achieving my dream. By passing the Dream Act, I will be able to achieve
these goals and contribute to the growing healthcare industry.''
Could we use more nurses in this country? We sure could. In fact, the
United States imports thousands of foreign nurses every year because we
have such a large nursing shortage.
So why would we consider sending Steve Li back?
Tolu Olumni: Tolu was brought to the United States from Nigeria when
she was a child. As a child, Tolu dreamed of becoming an engineer.
Tolu graduated from high school at the top of her class. She won a
full scholarship to a prestigious university in Virginia. In 2002, she
graduated with a degree in chemical engineering.
Back in 2011, at a press conference announcing the reintroduction of
the Dream Act, here is what Tolu said:
``The dreams of my youth have stalled, yes, but my country still
needs me. So I volunteer full-time to ensure a better future for
thousands of others. Passing the Dream Act is critically important to
me and to so many others. I don't believe that I am entitled to
anything more than what this great Nation has taught me: that we all
have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.''
Imagine. Tolu is right. Thousands of immigrant students in the United
States were brought to the United States as children. It was not their
decision to come to this country, but they grew up here, and this is
their home.
The fundamental premise of the Dream Act is that we should not punish
children for their parents' actions. This is not the American way.
Instead, the Dream Act says to these students: America will always give
you a chance. And I--me--say to their parents: Thank you for bringing
these DREAMers to America. We are in your debt for the courage it took
for you to take the risk physically, politically, and in every way to
do so.
David Cho was brought to the United States from South Korea when he
was 9. Since then, David has been a model American. He had a 3.9 GPA in
high school. He attended UCLA, where he obtained a bachelor of arts in
international finance, with a 3.6 GPA.
As you can see, David is also the leader of the UCLA marching band.
There is a picture of him, but the Record will not reflect that, the
leader of the UCLA marching band.
David then obtained a master's degree in public policy, with a GPA of
3.9, and was the UCLA commencement speaker.
He worked as a business technology analyst at Deloitte Consulting,
where he earned the highest possible performance rating, representing
performance in the top 5 percent of all analysts. Today, David works in
business and technology, consulting as a sales force scrum master and
project manager.
Thank you, David, for your contribution to our country.
Minchul Suk: Minchul was brought to the United States from South
Korea by his parents in 1991 when he was 9.
I just want to make this point, Mr. Speaker. When I mentioned about
Senator Durbin, he introduced the Dream Act in 2001, it is 17 years
later, so some of these children have grown up. But some of them whom
we are addressing came to the United States in the nineties, and so 17
years later we still haven't been able to take care of the children?
They were very little children when they came, and some of them are
still young. But they came, some of them, as I said, 11 months, 6
months, babies.
Minchul came when he was 9. He graduated from high school with a 4.2
GPA. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in microbiology, immunology,
and molecular genetics. With the support from the Korean-American
community, Minchul was able to graduate from dental school. He passed
the national boards and license exam and became a dentist.
Here is what he wrote: ``After spending the majority of my life here,
with all my friends and family here, I could not simply pack my things
and go to a country I barely remember. I am willing to accept whatever
punishment is deemed fitting for that crime; let me just stay and pay
for it. . . . I am begging for a chance to prove to everyone that I am
not a waste of a human being, that I am not a criminal set on leaching
off taxpayers' money. Please give me a chance to serve my community as
a dentist, to be a giver rather than a receiver.''
Thank you, Minchul.
Senator Durbin has sent over some stories, and I am going to read
some of them.
Jean-Yannick Diouf: When Yannick was 8, his father, a diplomat from
the African country of Senegal, brought his family to the United
States. Unfortunately, Yannick's parents separated and Yannick's father
returned to Senegal, leaving Yannick and the rest of the family behind.
Yannick did not realize it at the time, but when his father left the
United States, Yannick lost his legal status to live in this country.
Yannick grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, nearby. In high
school, Yannick was a member of the National Honor Society. He also
volunteered weekly at a homeless shelter and organized soccer
tournaments for 3 years to raise money for the Red Cross for earthquake
relief in Haiti.
Mind you, he is from Senegal, and he is raising money for earthquake
relief in Haiti. God bless him.
After high school, he continued his education. He earned an associate
degree in business from Montgomery College, where he was on the dean's
list. He then transferred to University of Maryland, College Park,
where he is working on a bachelor's degree in business management.
Yannick runs the Achievers Mentoring Program, an after-school program
that advises middle school and high school students on how to get into
college and be successful--very valuable, mentoring. He is also a
volunteer for United We Dream, the largest organization of undocumented
students in the country.
May I pause for a moment to commend United We Dream. They have been
so spectacular, so dignified, so prestigious in how they have protected
the DREAMers' case and enabled DREAMers to present their own case.
Yannick was a leader in the campaign to pass the Maryland Dream Act,
[[Page H934]]
which allows Maryland residents who are undocumented to pay instate
tuition. Keep in mind, Yannick is undocumented, so he does not qualify
for any official aid from the Federal Government. Here is what he
wrote:
``DACA means dignity. More than making money, having a job gives us
dignity and self-respect. I want to work for what I have. I don't look
to anyone for pity. People should judge me based on what I do and what
I stand for, not based on status. I want to be given a chance to prove
that not only am I a functioning member of society, I am here to serve
and share my talents with those in my community.''
Yannick was one of six DREAMers who met President Obama in the Oval
Office. Here is what President Obama said after that meeting: ``I don't
think there's anybody in America who's had a chance to talk to these
six young people . . . who wouldn't find it in their heart to say these
kids are Americans just like us, and they belong here, and we want to
do right by them.''
President Obama is right. Yannick and other DREAMers have so much to
contribute to our country.
The question again: Would America be a stronger country if we deport
Yannick and others like him? Of course not.
Another DREAMer from India, this is Harminder Saini. When Harminder
was 6 years old, his family moved to the United States from India. He
grew up in Queens in New York City. He was a typical American kid,
playing sports and going to the park every day. Harminder's dream was
to serve his country as a soldier in the United States Army. In his
words, he simply wanted to give back.
Harminder was a born leader, and in high school he was active in
student government and ultimately was elected class president.
He first learned that he did not have legal immigration status when
he was in high school and was unable to apply for a driver's license,
Mr. Speaker. Harminder is now a student at Hunter College at the City
University of New York, working toward his bachelor's degree in
history. And thanks to DACA, he is on his way to fulfilling his dream.
Last year, he enlisted in the Army through the Military Accessions
Vital to the National Interest program, known as MAVNI.
The MAVNI program allows immigrants with critical skills vital to the
national interest to enlist in the Armed Forces. More than 800 DACA
recipients with these critical skills have joined the military through
MAVNI.
Some Trump administration officials have claimed that DACA recipients
are taking jobs away from Americans, but Harminder and hundreds of
other DREAMers have skills that our military couldn't find anywhere
else.
Harminder, along with many other DREAMers, is now waiting to ship to
basic training. He continues his undergraduate studies and is working
full-time waiting for his chance to serve the country he loves.
Harminder wrote: ``All I want to do is serve. I want to do my part to
give back to this country because it allowed me to serve.''
Without DACA, Harminder and hundreds of other immigrants with skills
that are vital to the national interest would be kicked out of the
Army. They want nothing more than to serve, and they are willing to die
for the country they call home.
Thank you, Harminder.
Representative Esty of Connecticut sent us this story about Daisy
Rivera. Her story is in Daisy's own words:
``I came to the United States when I was 2 months old.''
How precious.
``The day I entered high school, my parents broke the sad news to me
that I was undocumented. Yes, I did grow up not knowing my true status,
and at that very moment I felt I didn't know who exactly I was anymore.
It made it very difficult to try and understand when all my siblings
were born here in the U.S. and were given opportunities that I wasn't
able to have. When I graduated high school in 2012, I found out that
President Obama took action to grant undocumented people like me the
DACA.
``Ever since then, I have been able to feel free, support my
daughter, my parents, and younger siblings still working on their
dreams. I now have a beautiful job with a Head Start program for youth
development and healthy living. This is a job that not only I enjoy,
but my 3-year-old daughter attends as well. DACA has been more than a
blessing and a relief for me and my friends and family.
``But now that it has been put in jeopardy, I can't even go to sleep
at night. I look at my daughter thinking: What can I do so I don't end
up like other families that have been separated and destroyed? What can
I do to support my child? How do I explain to my friends and family
that my future has been taken away, that I am not like them?
``This might be another challenge for me as an undocumented, but I
know that this is just the start of my new beginning that will label me
a warrior because I will not sit here and have my future taken. I will
not stand by the corners of the streets to ask for anything. I will
fight and raise my voice alone or with the other 800,000 DREAMers, and
we will obtain what we deserve, and we won't give up.''
That story comes from Representative Esty. I think it is important to
note here that some of these people are, again, working; they are
giving back to the community. DACA made a big difference in their
existence. For some of them, they found out that they were undocumented
at a critical point in their own development, and it foisted
uncertainty upon them, which DACA relieved.
So I think there is just a misunderstanding here about what President
Trump did in September. It was very harsh. As the National Catholic
Conference of Bishops said, it was reprehensible.
I don't think that the administration understood the impact it had on
people's lives. I think they thought they were giving a 6-month
reprieve, but what they were doing was giving 6 months of uncertainty
and removal of protections for these people.
And you have heard some of the statements that have been made in the
last day or so about mischaracterizing why some people have lost
protections. I will reiterate that this all came fast. Many of the
people who needed to sign up right away found it difficult to access
the $495 immediately. Most people in our country could not have access
to $495 in the spur of the moment, especially young people. So, anyway,
we have always treated this with respect.
I would like to talk now about Julia Verzbickis:
``When I was 9, my family and I moved to the United States to find
some stability that wasn't present in our home country. We always had
plans to make the move permanent, and the seemingly endless paperwork
process began nearly immediately. However, we didn't know what we were
in for. The lawyer we had turned out to be fraudulent, and, as a
result, my parents, my sisters, and I lost our status in the country.
It was the summer before my first year of high school.
``The future remained unclear, but I made some choices. I chose to
keep my grades up in school. I chose to give myself the opportunity at
a future. I worked hard. I graduated 28th in a class of 620. I had a
3.6'' GPA. ``I got into Rutgers early admission.
``The week after my 21st birthday, I got notice that my DACA
application had been approved. Within 12 hours, I had applied for a
Social Security card, and, within a week, I'd filled out dozens of job
applications. I got a license for the first time ever.
``In November 2014, I got into Teach For America. I was placed in San
Antonio, 1,800 miles away from New Jersey.''
{time} 1330
``I graduated college the following May, cum laude, with a double
major in English and journalism.
``In August 2015, I started teaching. I also met the man that would
become the love of my life. I had a new life in a new State, and I was
all by myself for the first time ever, and I couldn't be more excited.
``I've been teaching middle school since then, and I love it. My kids
are amazing. They drive me nuts on any given day, but I love them.
``DACA gave me my independence back. It's the single reason I am able
to teach, and live on my own, and pay for my car, and feel like I
belong in the country I have lived in for 15 years.
[[Page H935]]
``Knowing that I could lose all the freedom I've gained is a
paralyzing fear. I've worked so hard, and my life was just coming
together, and now it might fall apart again. I hope that doesn't
happen, but if I've learned anything these last 15 years, it's to hope
for the best and prepare for the worst.''
That is Julia's story.
This is from Zuleyma Garcia.
``Hi, my story started 22 years ago when I was only 3 years old. My
parents, both from Mexico, had crossed over, summer of 1994, through
the hot and unforgiving desert. I have always admired my parents' drive
and courage to go after a better life. I couldn't imagine leaving my
country, U.S., for one I know nothing about. Which is why I'm so
thankful for DACA.
``My mom always showed me anything is possible by working hard for
it. I never really noticed or felt like I wasn't American.
So my freshman year, after passing my driver's ed, I was very quickly
disillusioned by my mother, who explained we were here illegally and
could not get a driver's permit. I broke down crying because I felt
like my world crumbled. So many thoughts went through my mind, mainly
fear at the moment, but I eventually gripped myself together. With the
passing years, frustration added to the list of emotions, when I
couldn't attend class trips to other States, apply for scholarships, or
even just special programs at colleges, while I was still in high
school, because of the lack of a Social Security number and an ID.
``Once I graduated and it was time to face the real world, things hit
the fan. I felt like the doors closed in on me. I had nice internships
lined up. I had managed to get into a special program at my college,
which I wasn't able to do because of my status. A year into working a
minimum wage job and attending college for a preschool teacher, I now
felt like I had been torn apart, felt like no matter how hard I worked,
I would never accomplish my goals because of this barrier. So I dropped
out of college and just focused on working, got a second job, and moved
out of my mom's home. Soon after, I met my husband of 5 years now,
which is an American citizen; we have a 5-year-old child.
``DACA allowed me to feel like a human again and to live without
fear. I'm not a bad person. I have a clean criminal record and am a
good member of society, and, like me, there's so many. This is why I
call for an extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.''
Again, the uncertainty, the anxiety, that is injected into people's
lives. I thank them for sharing these deep concerns.
We are now hearing from Isabelle Muhlbauer.
``By junior year of high school, I spoke English fluently and
attended all honors classes, but, unlike most 15 year olds, my future
was uncertain due to my immigration status. It was this uncertainty
that led to my interest in American politics. I wanted to understand
why I was not eligible to apply for certain schools, scholarships, and
financial aid despite being a top student at my high school.
``There seemed to be something fundamentally unfair about a system
that excluded students like me. However frustrating my situation was, I
was fortunate to live in New York, where residency laws made the
possibility of attending college a reality.
``At Baruch College, I studied political science. I attended school
full time and, by sophomore year, had the opportunity to intern at
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office at the Veterans' Affairs casework
department. I knew then that I wanted to pursue public service, but was
well aware of the legal hurdles ahead of me due to my undocumented
status.
``I was unsure what life after graduation would be like without
authorization to work. Thankfully, the DACA program was announced a few
semesters before my graduation. Although it was still difficult to find
the right job, my persistence eventually led me to the New York Legal
Assistance Group. I now work as a paralegal in the Veterans Assistance
Project at NYLAG. I have the opportunity to work with a team that is
committed to helping the low-income veteran population in NYC get
access to the benefits they earned through their service.''
A DACA--a DREAMer--helping our veterans.
``I had hoped to attend law school to further advance my career in
public interest law, but given the current uncertainty of what will
happen with DACA, it's become increasingly difficult to plan for the
future. While DACA is not the solution to the current state of
immigration affairs, it has given me and over 700,000 other DREAMers
the path to achieving the American Dream.''
We thank Isabelle for sharing her story.
This is from Bruna.
``There are a few minutes left of President Obama's Presidency and a
feeling of dread fills me. Not only because I'm saying goodbye to a
President that has meant so much to me and thousands of DREAMers, but
because within a few minutes the new President may choose to remove
DACA--taking away a sense of security we've had these past years.
``In 2012, President Obama presented DACA, giving me and my sister
another chance at life. Before then, we did truly feel like we were
going to lose everything: friends and family we made in this country,
the home we built, and the future we envisioned.
``Born in Brazil, but raised in Tampa, Florida, my parents always
pushed us to excel in school, in leadership positions, and in sports.
We planned to go to college, travel the world, volunteer, and to make a
difference in a country that had generously welcomed us.
``After a third failed attempt at securing a green card, we had given
up. My parents had done everything they could. They paid the expensive
lawyer fees, opened a small business, and had secured and renewed work
visas throughout our time here. There was no explanation as to why U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services would deny legal immigrants with a
business, a home, savings accounts, and a decade in the country, a
chance at becoming permanent residents.
``With the threat of being deported looming over my head, I did
everything I could to help reelect President Obama. I joined OFA in
Gainesville, Florida, and spent countless nights with volunteers and
staffers.''
``So although I am scared of what comes next, if we lose DACA, if
we're no longer able to continue working in the U.S., I am empowered by
an important lesson President Obama taught us: We are the ones we've
been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. In this time of
uncertainty, we must carry that lesson and fight so that all people,
including DREAMers, can continue working towards the American Dream.''
I know that Representative Jayapal is on the floor, and I wish that
she could deliver it herself, but the rules do not allow.
Parliamentary Inquiry
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The gentlewoman will state her
parliamentary inquiry.
Ms. PELOSI. Are we going to be able to have Special Orders for our
colleagues at the end of the session?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman may consult with leadership
on matters of scheduling.
Ms. PELOSI. Okay. I didn't know if a decision had been made about
that yet.
Then I will continue to read.
Amy Kele. This is from Representative Jayapal, a leader on the
immigration issues, as you probably all know, an immigrant herself to
our country, and now a Member of Congress. I am so proud of her.
Amy Kele and her family moved from Fiji to settle in
Everett, Washington, staying on their father's student visa.
Things change when Amy's parents left the U.S. to attend a
wedding in Fiji.
``They were only planning to stay for 2 weeks, but then my
mom's visa got denied,'' said Amy, the oldest of four
children. Amy is now 19, but the last time she saw her
parents was when she was just 11 years old.
How sad.
When Amy's parents left for Fiji, Amy's grandmother came
from California to babysit. When they weren't able to reenter
the country, she picked up her life and moved to Everett to
care for her grandchildren. ``She's the heart of this whole
family. She's kept us together this whole time. I don't know
where we'd be right now, maybe back in Fiji or in a foster
home. I'm really thankful for her in our lives,'' said Kele.
Though Amy's grandmother has been living in the U.S. for
almost 20 years, she is also undocumented. ``Because she's
also undocumented, she can't get benefits like Social
Security and things like that. It kind of breaks my heart
whenever I think about it.''
[[Page H936]]
With the exception of Amy's younger sister, who was born in
the United States, the Kele children have all enrolled in
DACA.
Amy is now a nursing student and healthcare worker for the
elderly. As the oldest sibling, she takes pride in being able
to help her grandmother support their family. She provides
for her three siblings, is an active member of her church,
and is looked to as a leader at the University of Washington.
Amy is shy, full of heart, and cares deeply about her family
and community.
Without the support of DACA, Amy fears never being able to
complete her nursing degree. Without a work permit, the
livelihood of their family is at stake. The risk of
deportation means she could be separated from her family,
possibly leaving her youngest sister in foster care.
What? This is a very sad and challenging situation. So many families
affected that just being able to vote on the floor could correct. It is
about the children.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jayapal for sharing that story
with us.
Whip Hoyer wanted to tell this story on the floor himself, and other
stories as well, but the rules at the moment do not allow him. We are
uncertain as to whether there will be an opportunity for Special Orders
where Members can speak afterward.
Lisia Vala, Indian American, her personal story.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Whip Hoyer for his leadership. Whip Hoyer has
been so much a champion on this issue, fighting so hard in every
possible venue, under any auspices, there every step of the way. He
submits this story.
My family moved from Canada to San Antonio in 1996 when I
was 6.
Mr. Speaker, this is a DREAMer from Canada.
We had a visa, and my parents worked to change our
immigration status for as long as I can remember. We spent
decades playing by the rules. But one time our immigration
attorney filed our paperwork late, and another time our
sponsor sold his business, forcing us to restart the entire
application process.
For more than 20 years, we attempted to navigate the broken
immigration system, an emotionally exhausting and financially
draining process. Suffice it to say that I am not
undocumented for lack of trying.
Growing up in Texas, I always felt like an American
because, in every possible way, I was. I went to elementary,
middle, and high school in San Antonio, enrolling in Girl
Scouts, and spending my summers playing league basketball. I
volunteered at the local food bank, took far too many AP
classes, and worked behind the cash register at the
neighborhood grocery store.
In 2008, I left for college. Four years later, I graduated,
and, thanks to DACA, I was suddenly eligible for relief from
immigration worries. DACA has helped me become the person I
am today. Because of my work permit, I have been able to buy
a home, a car, and pay off my student loans.
I launched a small business helping U.S. citizens with
their resume so they can get jobs. I have a meaningful job
and pay State and Federal taxes, I pay rent to live in my
apartment in Washington, I eat at restaurants, shop at local
stores, and pay for public transportation.
All the dollars that I have spent, and the dollars that
800,000 people like me spent, are reinvested back in the
community and help improve the lives of our American citizen
neighbors and friends.
A beautiful story from Lisia, and, again, there is nothing lazy about
this family, or any of these families, as to how they want to achieve
legal status in our country. The only violation in hundreds of
thousands of these cases is a status, either a lapse, in this case, or
a violation, but nothing in terms of breaking the law in any other way.
{time} 1345
From California, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, a member of our freshman
class, tells us the story of Adriana from Salinas. I thank Jimmy for
the work he tried to do with the group that he works with in a
bipartisan way to advance the cause of the DREAMers.
Adriana tells this story: ``At the age of 7, I migrated to the place
that I now call home. I came with the dream of pursuing an education
and becoming someone important, someone who would give back to the
community. I am working to achieve my dream. To my community, I am a
student, I am a peer, I am a leader. To the Trump administration, I am
a criminal. I stood in the shadows for a very long time, and education
was always my outlet. I grew to be the person I am today because of my
mother, a cook, who told me that education was the most important thing
I could earn.
``People tell me to go back to my country, but people do not realize
that this is my country. I work, I pay taxes, I go to school, I stand
for the national anthem, and I know the Pledge of Allegiance. This
country has seen me grow, and this country has contributed to my
dreams. I aspire to attend law school. DACA has helped me achieve my
dreams. I was able to get a Social Security card. I was allowed to
apply for a driver's license. DACA allowed me to be like any other
person my age.
``People have asked me what would I do without DACA. To be honest, I
have faith in my elected officials. I do not want everything handed to
me, nor do I believe that I deserve everything. What I do ask for is
the ability to be like any other 25-year-old in this country. I don't
want the termination of DACA to be the termination of my dreams.''
Thank you, Adriana. Thank you, Jimmy Panetta, for submitting that
story.
Juan Escalante tells us that he was working at an unpaid internship
in 2012 when he caught word of the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals, DACA, announcement via Twitter. He said: ``I ran to the
office lobby, turned on the TV, and immediately knew right away that
life would not be the same. I called my mother in tears and proceeded
to tell her that my brothers and I would be able to benefit from a
program that would temporarily shield us from deportation, while
allowing us to work and drive legally. I understood DACA was a
temporary program that would not cover parents, but it renewed my
commitment to fight for relief for the rest of the immigrant community.
``Since that day, I have taken every opportunity to grow, learn, and
contribute back to my community. In 2013, DACA allowed me to re-enroll
in Florida State University and pursue a master's degree in public
administration. By 2014, I was in the middle of working a job in
Tallahassee, Florida, studying for my master's classes, and advocating
at the Florida Legislature for a bill that would allow undocumented
students to obtain instate tuition at State colleges and universities.
In a rare display of bipartisanship, the bill passed and was signed
into law by Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott.
``I graduated with my master's in 2015 full of hope and energy that I
would be able to put my education to good use. With degrees in hand, I
was able to obtain a job as a digital immigration advocate, putting my
years of experience and passion to good use. Simultaneously, and thanks
to the new instate tuition law in Florida, I was able to help both of
my younger brothers enroll at Miami Dade College and Florida
International University. They are currently pursuing degrees to work
in business and communications, respectively.''
I just want to say that I have spoken at the graduation at Miami Dade
College and spoken also at Florida International University, two
magnificent schools. And what is beautiful about them is to see the
beautiful diversity in the large number of students that they teach,
and the many cases of first children to attend college, but with all
the optimism, dignity, and hope that you could ever imagine. They are
two great institutions.
I actually spoke at the commencement address one year, the year
before President Bush spoke there. I have said earlier, President Bush
was a wonderful President dedicated to recognizing how important
immigration was to our country and how we should value our immigrants
and treat them with respect when we have the debate on these issues.
Juan goes on to say: ``There are a lot of misconceptions regarding
the DACA program, but perhaps the biggest one is that beneficiaries of
the program are asking for a free pass. DACA does not grant
citizenship. Rather, it allows individuals like myself, who have
benefitted from State-funded investments like public education, to move
forward with their lives and continue to contribute to their
communities. That means DACA beneficiaries could continue to pursue
higher education, starting businesses, or putting their skills to use
without the constant fear of deportation if the program is kept in
place.''
Of course, we hope the Dream Act will have a more beneficial impact
than just the DACA announcement, but that is what we are asking the
Speaker for a vote for.
We thank Juan for sharing his important story and reinforcing the
constant message that people are working hard
[[Page H937]]
and they want to give back to the community; the immigrant commitment
and recognition that education is the source of making the future
better for their families and for our country.
Denis Montero Diaz tells his story: ``I didn't cry. I knew it was for
the best. I said good-bye to many: the people I love. I felt
uncertainty, yet I didn't cry.
``You see, I knew of the American Dream. Every evening I'd watch
American films filled with white picket fences and big city
aspirations. I dreamed of setting foot in the land of opportunity.
``After a disastrous journey, we arrived home. Every morning I
pledged allegiance to the flag. I meant it. I excelled in school. That
is why our parents worked so hard, why we risked so much; opportunities
that come through education and hard work.''
Again, that immigrant ethic of hard work ethic and education ethic.
Denis says: ``Later, I learned what my undocumented status truly
meant. I felt uncertainty, shame, no future. Rattled by depression, I
contemplated giving up.
``Luckily, I had educators that told me I was wasting a mind. So I've
continued to pursue my education and help run our family business.
``Through DACA, me and 800,000 others live freely. We can contribute.
That's our American Dream. That is why my mother works so hard, hands
aching, yet a kind smile on her face. That's why I study economics, to
one day enthrall my mind to the betterment of this Nation.''
Giving back.
Denis says: ``I watched Trump make his way to the podium. I felt
uncertainty. My own need for an answer was channeled through the screen
into the mind of a reporter who asked about DACA. No answer. Silence.
``The 45th President took office. Cannons fired, people applauded,
rain fell. But I do not believe in omens. If the life of 800,000
`DACAmented' Americans is altered, it will not be by virtue of the
rain. It will be by the lightning strike of one man's hand.
``We ask only to let us contribute freely. Let us walk along you,
shoulder to shoulder, on that same road our hands helped to pave. Human
decency and morality demand it. The American people, our people, demand
it.''
So we thank Denis for sharing his story. You hear, Mr. Speaker,
reiterated time and again, the work ethic, family values, education,
giving back to America, no free ride.
I have mentioned the Congressional Black Caucus and their leadership
on this issue; the Hispanic Caucus and their leadership. I am very,
very proud of CAPAC. I represent a district that, as they say in San
Francisco, the beauty is in the mix; and one-third of my district is
Asian-Pacific American, so I take a great pride in being part of the
CAPAC, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
So here are the statistics that they have given us:
Twenty percent of DACA recipients are Asian-Pacific Islanders.
Did Members know that?
More than 130,000 Asian-Pacific Islander DREAMers. And 7,000 DREAMers
are from South Korea. Nearly 5,000 DREAMers are from the Philippines.
More than 3,000 DREAMers are from India. Nearly 2,000 DREAMers are from
Pakistan. And thousands more are from the rest of the Asian-Pacific
area.
In addition to DACA, though, there are many people from the Asian-
Pacific area who would be benefited if we did comprehensive immigration
reform. Today we are just speaking about the DREAMers.
So I thank Congresswoman Judy Chu for her persistent, relentless
leadership on this subject as the chair of CAPAC--the Congressional
Asian Pacific American Caucus--and also her insistence in presenting
the value of family unification as a value, as a source of strength to
America. This is an important debate that will be part of whatever
comes next in legislation. But I thank her for her leadership in that
regard.
An icon in the Congress, John Lewis from Georgia, has submitted this
testimony. John has spoken so beautifully on this subject. I think if
anyone listened to him, if the DREAMers heard him, they would feel so
comforted, inspired, and optimistic. If others heard him, if their
hearts are open, they would have to say we must get a result, we must
do the right thing. John always inspires us in that way. What an honor
it is for all of us to serve with him, to call him our colleague.
John submitted this story from a Georgian. This is a Georgian's
statement: ``Last week, on January 30, 2018, President Trump, in his
State of the Union, said, `Americans are DREAMers, too.' He didn't
mention the second part: DREAMers are American, too.
``My name is Daniela, and I was there at the State of the Union last
week when I heard President Trump say these words.''
Daniela is a Georgian, as John Lewis has indicated.
Daniela goes on to say: ``I was brought over at age 4 because my
mother realized that, if we stayed, we wouldn't survive.''
She is from Acapulco, Mexico.
Daniela says: ``And at the time, there were very limited ways to get
into the U.S. legally. It required a lot of money and time, something
we didn't have.
``Put yourself in her shoes. What would you have done for you and
your child?
``Wait years in a country that wasn't safe, for the hope that someday
maybe you could come to America. A someday that never came for some
because death came knocking first.''
Death by violence.
Daniela says: ``My mother did what any good parent would do in that
situation. She decided to risk her life so that her child could have a
future.
``I am currently a student down the street at George Washington
University. I grew up in Georgia. I speak English more fluently than I
do Spanish. America is home. I am an American. I am currently studying
political science, and aspire to work for the United Nations as an
advocate for human rights. I earned over $30,000 in private scholarship
money to attend college.''
She worked and did that.
Daniela says: ``Nothing was handed to me. I did not qualify for
instate tuition or any type of Federal financial aid.
``They call us DREAMers, but we are actually working every day to
make our dreams into a reality. It's cruel to deny me and the 800,000-
plus DREAMers a clean Dream Act. The impact of losing DACA would be
devastating not just emotionally and personally, but also detrimental
to the economy. DREAMers are going to school, opening up businesses,
working, paying taxes.''
I would add, serving in our military.
Daniela says: ``A study by the Center for American Progress estimated
that the loss of all DACA workers would reduce U.S. gross domestic
product by $433 billion over the next 10 years. Yes, $433 billion.''
Mr. Speaker, that is over the next 10 years.
Daniela says: ``Removing the DREAMers is not only unethical and
unjust, it's also simply un-American because of the damage it would do
to the economy.
``You gave an oath to protect the interests of the American people. I
am an American. This is not a partisan issue. Please choose to be on
the right side of history.''
I thank John Lewis for submitting this beautiful statement. I also
thank this Georgian for her testimony. I just want to say to Daniela
that not only would we be--you ask us to be on the right side of
history. I would say that, in this Congress and in this country, we not
only want to be on the right side of history, we want to be on the
right side of the future. And to be on the right side of the future, we
have to recognize who we are as a country, what our values are.
Imagine Founders who would say it is our national purpose and what we
owe people is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit
of happiness is one of the goals of our Nation, one of the standards of
what we stand for, to use the word again.
This is not just about protecting the economy. It is about protecting
our country, who we are as a country. So I thank John Lewis, and I
thank Daniela for her impressive, impressive presentation.
{time} 1400
Brisa E. Ramirez's statement says: ``I was born in . . . Mexico. I am
26 years old, and I have lived in the United States as an undocumented
immigrant for 25 years.''
[[Page H938]]
Do the math, Mr. Speaker. That means Brias came at 1 year old.
``Throughout my childhood, I did not fully understand the
repercussions that came from hearing the status of `illegal' in this
country, but I did know my mother and I had to be `careful.' As an
adult, I am now experiencing firsthand the restrictions, prejudice, and
fear illegal immigrants must confront. Since childhood, I have always
wanted to make a tangible difference in the world.''
Listen to that sentence. ``Since childhood, I have always wanted to
make a tangible difference in the world.''
``Growing up in adversity inspired me to obtain a college degree; I
wanted to become someone who could right the wrongs experienced by
those living in poverty.
``In 2012, when I first heard about DACA, I was skeptical. The idea
of self-disclosing my immigration status, especially to the government,
was terrifying. I waited 2 years to see what would become of those who
bravely stepped out in order to receive their 2 years of deferment from
deportation. Eventually, I had to do the same. I understood that I
could continue to be `safe' in the shadows but live as a criminal or
expose myself and live as a law-abiding individual. Even though I feel
like I have an expiration date, I am much happier thanks to DACA.
``DACA has given me the ability to drive without fear, work legally
without fear, and earn jobs where I am not exploited. DACA has given me
the ability to use my college degree, which I earned through private
donations in the form of a full-tuition scholarship through years of
hard work, perseverance, and many, many tears. DACA has given me the
ability to earn a position as an AmeriCorps VISTA and serve in the
fight against poverty in Boston. . . . It's amazing how nine digits and
a flimsy piece of discolored paper can change your life.
``My dream is to create a more compassionate society that restores
human dignity to those who are pushed further into the margins. I want
to earn my Ph.D. I want to become a leader of an organization that
seeks to provide opportunities that do not trap people in misery and
dependence. I want to be a voice for the voiceless. My dream is to
discover potential in people who are thought to have none because I
know what it is like.''
Thank you, Brisa, for your courage.
Giovanni writes: ``I left Panama on my eighth birthday on a flight
bound for Los Angeles, California. At the time, I didn't fully
understand the weight of what was happening. I was excited to have the
people on my flight sing ``Happy Birthday'' to me. I was intrigued by
the smoked salmon that the stewardess served me for lunch. I had no
idea that to this day, almost 20 years later, I would not return to my
hometown or my childhood friends or the house that I was born in.
``From the moment I arrived in the United States, I tried my hardest
to fit in. I learned English quickly and dropped my Spanish accent. I
tried to excel in my studies, even though this prompted comments that I
was `acting White.' I made friends, consumed popular culture, played
video games. I assimilated well because of that immense pressure known
only to those who leave their homes for the land of opportunity. I
looked at other immigrant kids with their broken English and hand-me-
down clothes and the way they were being teased. I wanted, and often
failed, to distance myself from the perception that I did not belong.
``The older I got, the more I realized that my situation wasn't going
to get any better,'' Giovanni writes on. `` `Close' friends criticized
and spewed toxic mistruths about immigrants and how they were ruining
this country. I lived under the constant fear that my home would be
raided or that my parents would get arrested and sent to a detention
center. I became better and better at coming up with excuses for why I
had no license, no car, no job, why I couldn't travel or take advantage
of scholarships, why I turned down internship opportunities and
research positions with my professors.
``At the risk of sounding cliche, DACA opened doors for me. It goes
well beyond just being able to work and get a license and fly
domestically. You see, what all of us want is simple. We just want the
opportunity to emerge from the shadows, to work and support our
families, to contribute back to our communities, to love our partners/
spouses without the fear of being deported at a moment's notice. We
have that now. But for how long?''
We thank Giovanni for his message, but again, fear, tears. As I said,
the Statue of Liberty must have tears in her eyes when she hears some
of the comments that are made about immigrants, fear in the hearts of
some of these people. Giovanni talks about doors opening, saying it is
like a cliche, but DACA opened doors for him. Let's hope that passing
the Dream Act will keep those doors open.
Deyanira writes this: `` `Adversity causes some men to break; others
to break records'--William Arthur Ward.
``Although being undocumented has been my toughest struggle here in
the United States,'' Deyanira writes, ``it has shaped me to highly
appreciate education and encourage my younger siblings to excel in
their studies in order to pursue a career.
``I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. My parents decided early on
that they wanted their children to grow up in better environments than
the ones they grew up in. They migrated to the United States of America
when I was very young so that they could work endlessly and send money
back home to Mexico. At the age of 5, I migrated along with my sister.
I was excited about my family being united once again, despite the
adversity we face.
``The hardships range from medical situations to owning a driver's
license. The cost of visiting a clinic is tremendously overwhelming due
to the fact that we did not have the documents required for a medical
insurance plan. My parents, like many others throughout the U.S., risk
so much by pursuing the American Dream every day.
``On August 12, President Obama introduced the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals Program. My sister and I applied and we received our
work permits. My soul was euphoric with the joy of being legal in this
country, but then I discovered this valuable permit would only help me
work legally but would not grant me permanent residence.
``I qualified for scholarships like the Gates Millennium Scholarship,
but I would not even be considered because of my status. I looked high
and low for any scholarship that would accept undocumented students and
made sure to apply because they were few and far between. Regardless of
not being a permanent resident or citizen, I still made my dream of
attending the University of Texas''--Austin, Texas--``majoring in
neuroscience a reality.
``I consider myself blessed and hope that others can learn from my
struggles. I am involved in UT University Leadership Initiative, an
organization that advocates for immigrant rights and helps the
community fight injustices. Despite DACA only allowing temporary relief
to me, I appreciate it because it removed the burden of my status from
me and allowed me to work and contribute to society. If DACA were
removed, we would have to return to the shadows and live life in
constant fear.''
We cannot let that happen.
Another student from Georgia, this time McDonough, Georgia, Anayancy
Ramos, writes: ``I learned to live as an American before the memories
of my homeland solidified into a permanent impression. My mother tongue
was forgotten as I learned to speak English, weakening the profound
virtuosity of my heritage and reshaping my family's mannerisms and
grandiose personalities. In pursuing the American Dream, my parents not
only offered their lives, but also their youngest daughter.
``In spite of losing my ancestors that both defined me and were
unknown to me, I have fought for the new self I have built up from the
ashes of the broken dreams they tried to burn down. While in community
college, I steadfastly held the distinction of a dean's list scholar
and successfully completed the requirements for earning an honors
certificate by completing eight honors courses. I held the merit of
being inducted into an honors society, Phi Theta Kappa, and was
appointed president of the Alpha Beta Gamma chapter the following year,
all the while working full-time at an animal hospital.
``I poured the desperation I felt over being denied my education at
the top research schools in Georgia into my school and work. I rose to
the position of manager at the animal hospital and
[[Page H939]]
was the sole student awarded the distinction of Student of the Year in
Biology out of the total college population of 21,000 students''--top
student, 21,000 students.
``In an attempt to continue my education further than a 2-year
associate's degree, I was chosen from a pool of thousands as a
semifinalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke scholarship. Later
that year, I was offered a different private scholarship to attend
Eastern Connecticut State University at no cost to me. In another 2
years' time, I will graduate with a double major in biochemistry and
biology.
``Four years was all it took for me to effectively and irrevocably
pursue the education I have proved that I deserve. However, these
dreams have an expiration date. Every 2 years, I must go through the
taxing process of applying for DACA. Every 2 years, these dreams may
die. Until then, I breathe the heart and soul of my denied ancestors
into my studies to keep them alive and to keep them ingrained in my
pursuit of the American Dream.''
So beautiful. Thank you, Anayancy.
And then I want to talk about Cindy: ``My name is Cindy Nava. I was
born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and arrived in the United States in 1997. I
have been blessed to grow up in a State that has demonstrated its
appreciation and support to immigrant communities over the years. The
State of New Mexico is not only the place I call home, but it is the
State that has nourished my deep love and passion for civic engagement
and policy.
``I began my college life at Santa Fe Community College and then
transferred to the University of New Mexico, where I obtained a BA
degree in political science in 2014. I did not obtain DACA until spring
2016 due to a local attorney who advised me not to apply. However, this
did not stop me from continuing my education. I served as an intern and
fellow for more than a dozen State and national political
organizations, regardless of the fact that they could not hire me.
``I collaborated with organizations to register high school students
to vote, while still not being able to cast a vote myself. I interned
at my State legislature for 6 years and went on to become the first
undocumented student to serve as an intern . . . through my selection
for the Rilla Moran NFDW Award.
``Thanks to DACA, I was able to begin a graduate program and thus was
able to accept a job as a graduate research assistant at the University
of New Mexico. Having the ability to travel to border States granted me
the ability to become the second DREAMer in the country to graduate
from the EMERGE America women leaders training program.''
Wow.
``DACA has changed my life, and I will always be grateful to
President Obama for taking the first step to uplift our immigrant
communities through his efforts to support us, regardless of the
criticisms he received.
``DACA will forever hold a special place in my heart, as it is
through the benefit of being able to apply for advanced parole that I
was able to travel to Chihuahua, Mexico, after 21 years to be with my
beloved llalla Eva--grandmother--until her very last moments on this
Earth.
``I will forever cherish the fact that DACA opened a world of
opportunities for me to support my family and communities in ways I
would have never able to do otherwise.''
Thank you, Cindy Nava, for sharing your personal story with us.
Here on the floor, Representative Blunt Rochester from Delaware, I
thank her for being with us. A member of the freshman class,
Representative Blunt Rochester was effective from the start and into
advocacy for our DACAs from day one, and I thank her for giving us this
story of Indira Islas.
Her story says: ``I was born in Guerrero, Mexico, and I came to the
U.S. with my parents at the age of 6. I am a 19-year-old DACA student
currently studying biology.
``September 16, 2013, seemed just like any day. I was on my way home
from school when my bus came across heavy traffic just a few miles from
my stop. As it inched forward and approached the turn that led to my
house, flashing lights and the scene of an accident came into view.
When we saw that an ambulance was blocking the intersection, we all
stood up eagerly from our seats--intrigued, fascinated, and curious to
see what happened. In the distance beyond the comfort of my seat, my
heart dropped as I recognized what was unmistakably my dad's crushed
car.
``After arriving in the emergency room, I was told to have a seat in
the waiting area. As I sat down, so many things went through my mind
before I was finally allowed to see him. A nurse with a clipboard
escorted me back, and I held my breath as she opened the curtain to his
room. There was my dad, handcuffed to his hospital bed and looking
utterly defeated.''
{time} 1415
``After a long embrace, he finally spoke. In his voice, he carried
fear of the unknown and uncertainty of the future; he knew of the
adversity ahead of us. Though his words were few, he began telling me
that I was going to have to be strong and to not lose focus of my
education. He was then taken to jail.
``From that day on, I knew that my life would be different. In the
midst of all of this, I found refuge in the one thing that I had
control over: my education. If I were to have lost my dad that day,
September 16, I know he would not have been disappointed because he
would have been content knowing that his children are going to be left
in a good place--which is all an immigrant parent ever wants.
``At that moment, the flames of disparity gave way to the fire of
indignation, but this conflagration only kindled within me a phoenix of
preservation: I would persevere in spite of these obstacles. I spent
countless hours researching every possible opportunity that would allow
me to further my education.
``Lastly, I would like to encourage you to think of the thousands of
undocumented people like myself. I stand before you to ask you to pass
the Dream Act so I and many other undocumented people not only can
continue pursuing the American Dream, but also no longer fear being
separated from our loved ones.''
I thank Congresswoman Blunt Rochester for this beautifully written,
almost poetic statement. Like so many other DACA students and DREAMers,
it is a story of family, of education, of commitment, of patriotism--
also beautifully written.
I know that in the course of the day, we have been joined by
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who has been a real champion on the issue of
immigration and a champion, relentlessly, for our DREAMers. She has
served as the chair of the Immigration and Border Security
Subcommittee. She is now the ranking Democrat on the Immigration and
Border Security Subcommittee. She has practiced immigration law. She
has taught immigration law. She is a recognized leader, called upon by
all kinds of constitutional institutions for her views on this and
other subjects that relate to our Constitution and our country. She is
relentless to satisfy and persistent. She is not only a leader, but
also a strong advocate. I thank the Congresswoman for her leadership.
I mentioned earlier Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Also, when I mentioned the Immigration and Border Security
Subcommittee that Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren serves on, that is a
subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee of which she is a leader.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, also a member of the Judiciary
Committee, a leader on the immigration issue and expert on it, earlier
I read her statement that she presented from a DREAMer from Houston,
Texas. I thank the Congresswoman for being with us.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman from New Jersey is with us, too,
and she is a very outspoken force on many subjects in the Congress. As
you see, we had many testimonies from New Jersey, and I know she knows
this issue so well.
But for all of us, it is not just an issue. It is a value. It is
something very important to us.
Earlier, also from New Jersey, was Frank Pallone, our ranking member
on the Energy and Commerce Committee, who cares so deeply about this
issue. He has been in and out for most of the 4 hours that I have been
speaking.
[[Page H940]]
John Lewis, we had his beautiful statement from a DREAMer, Daniela, a
dreamer from Georgia. I thank the gentleman for his great leadership. I
sang his praises earlier. I could spend another 4 hours just talking
about the gentleman. I thank him so much.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters has been here for most of the time. She,
too, as a Californian, understands the impact of public policy on the
lives of people. As Dr. King told us, the ballot, legislation, your
life, there is a direct relationship. Legislation here has a direct
impact on the lives of these people, and nobody understands that better
than Maxine Waters, our ranking member on the Financial Services
Committee. I commend her for her leadership on the part of the American
taxpayer as well as consumer.
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez was also here earlier, a leader on the
committee, the Financial Services Committee, also a leader, the
Democratic leader on the Small Business Committee where many, many
minority-owned businesses enjoy the benefit of her leadership. She also
was the chairman of the Hispanic Caucus the year that we passed the
DREAM Act in the House of Representatives. I thank her and the members
of the committee for making that victory possible then.
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California, she has been a tremendous
force on this issue. A number of the testimonies that I have read have
been either from the Silicon Valley area or aspire to be from the
Silicon Valley area. There are a lot of entrepreneurship, STEM, and
engineer aspirations in this list, so we thank Congresswoman Eshoo for
her role as a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee and for her
strong advocacy for many. She and Zoe Lofgren know better than almost
anyone the contributions that immigrants have made.
Most of the new startup companies in our area are started by
immigrants to our country. Many of the people who would like to be part
of that are part of the DREAMer community. So we thank Congresswoman
Eshoo also for her extraordinary leadership.
I am going to go on to Alejandra Gonzalez. The story goes like this,
Mr. Speaker:
``I was 12 years old when I found out I was undocumented and when I
found out I couldn't be a teacher like I've always wanted to because,
without the proper documentation, I couldn't receive grants and loans
to afford a higher education. I had to settle for jobs that didn't
allow me to use my full potential because I didn't have a Social
Security number, and it was then that I started to live a life full of
anxiety, stress, and depression because of the uncertainty of my future
and the threat of deportation. DACA was an instant relief from that.''
Alejandra goes on to say: ``Since DACA, I have been able to acquire
the funds to go back to school. While some had seen DACA as a form of
amnesty''--no--``and have pledge to fight against it, it should be
stated that it is far from that. If anything, it is a Band-Aid solution
of addressing the needs and concerns of the millions of undocumented
immigrants in this country.
``My plan after graduating from Alverno College consists of making
healthcare accessible to all and giving back to the community that I
love so much. There are DREAMers that have become lawyers, doctors,
police officers, and small-business owners thanks to DACA, and their
career choices benefit the country as a whole.
``We are a group of hardworking individuals who just want the
opportunity at a better life. My parents' choice to smuggle me across
the border was irresponsible,'' Alejandra says, ``but I understand why
they did it. Our home country is being terrorized by poverty and drug
cartels, and I can't imagine what my life would have been like if we
would have stayed. I am grateful for all the privileges the United
States has granted me, and while DACA is just a temporary fix to
immigration policy, it is one that provides a pathway to success for
millions of DREAMers in the country.
``If we are to lose DACA, I hope that the new administration
implements a reform that assures the well-being of DREAMers--but if it
doesn't, I know that our will to keep fighting and progressing won't
end. With or without DACA, my future doesn't feel uncertain anymore. I
will continue to pursue my goal of making healthcare accessible.
``We aren't asking for a handout. We are asking for the same
opportunities to succeed in the country we call home.''
Thank you, Alejandra.
Miriam Santamaria writes: `` `Don't worry when you are not
recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.' ''
Who said that? Abraham Lincoln.
`` `Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy
of recognition.'--Abraham Lincoln.''
Miriam writes: ``I have carried Lincoln's advice throughout my life.
It resonates with me now more than ever.
``I was 4 years old when I was brought to this country. After my
father passed away, my mother was faced with the difficult task of
raising two children on her own. It was then that she made the decision
to come to the United States. Leaving all of her comforts behind, she
sacrificed everything to pursue a better life for us. I have lived in
this country ever since. It was in Houston, Texas, where I went to
school, learned a second language, graduated from high school with
honors, and paid my way through community college.
``I grew up with a vision of achieving the `American Dream,' the same
`dream' they teach you in school, the dream that anyone with honest
character and conduct can succeed in this country. Yet none of that
matters if you do not have the `right' identity card.
``Because of DACA, I was able to apply for and obtain a work permit
and driver's license. DACA also gave me the opportunity to live out my
dreams. I am now a manager at a construction company and own my own
photography business. I plan to continue pursuing my aspirations
regardless of my status.
``I consider myself lucky among others who were denied the rights
granted by DACA. That is why I decided to share my story. I am not
looking for any kind of recognition or sympathy, but looking to make a
difference and inspire others. Hopefully, the Trump administration
takes into consideration all of our stories when they make a decision
about the future. In the meantime, we, the DREAMers, need to continue
to set a high example for others and give back to our communities which
have given us so much, even while political forces threaten our daily
lives.
``I know my story is one of many others and that I speak for them
when I say we are not asking for handouts, only for an opportunity to
work hard, pay taxes like other citizens, and, mostly, live our lives
in peace for the first time, and for some of us, to live in peace in
the only country that we call home.''
Before I go into other testimony, I want to recognize so many of our
Members who have been here on the floor with us and some who are
watching from their offices and sending their memos.
But I do want to acknowledge the presence of Congressman Carbajal of
California, a champion on this.
They are all distinguished champions on this issue, very concerned,
working very hard for us to get a debate and a vote on the floor.
Congressman Carbajal of California, a freshman member; Congressman
Kildee of Michigan, who leads the way with 1-minutes on the floor;
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, whose birthday was yesterday and
who is sharing, today, with us. I acknowledged her earlier. I thank
her.
Congresswoman Waters; Congresswoman Velazquez; Congressman Correa of
California; Congresswoman Matsui of California; Congressman Gomez of
California; again, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, now my third time to
acknowledge Congresswoman Jackson Lee; Congressman Takano of
California; Congresswoman Barbara Lee. I read the testimony of her
DREAMer earlier.
Congressman Lowenthal of California; Congressman Darren Soto of
Florida. He has been such a champion right from the start. I was down
with him at a university like the first month of his being in Congress,
and that day I spoke to General Kelly right from the venue where we
were speaking to the students, and General Kelly told me that he cared
deeply about DREAMers. I had confidence that he would help us, and I
still do, on this very important value that we share.
[[Page H941]]
Congressman Mike Thompson of California; Congressman Cardenas, who
was just here, of California; Congressman Tonko of New York;
Congresswoman Alma Adams of North Carolina. I mentioned Congresswoman
Zoe Lofgren. Again, I acknowledge her. Congressman Panetta, who
presented testimony here; Congressman Norcross of New Jersey. There is
lots of New Jersey testimony here.
Congressman Cartwright of Pennsylvania has been with us for a long
while; Congressman Serrano of New York, a champion of all of those
issues, including our fight to be fair and just to Puerto Rico;
Congressman Ellison. I read the testimony of his DREAMer earlier.
Congresswoman Eshoo, I acknowledge her again for her extraordinary
leadership. She has faith that this will happen, and we pray together
over it.
Congresswoman Norma Torres of California, reminding me that tomorrow
is the National Prayer Breakfast; Congressman Ruiz of California;
Congressman McGovern from Massachusetts, who has been with us a long
time; Congresswoman Val Demings, a new member of the Judiciary
Committee from Florida; and Congressman Castro of Texas, San Antonio.
We had testimony from there.
{time} 1430
I acknowledge Congressman Al Green from Houston, Texas; Congressman
Gene Green from Houston, Texas; Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, whom we
had beautiful testimony from earlier; Congresswoman Slaughter from New
York; Congressman Huffman from California; Congressman McNerney from
California; Congresswoman Barragan from California; Congresswoman Jan
Schakowsky from Illinois; Congressman Garamendi from California;
Congresswoman Bonamici from Oregon; Congresswoman Jayapal--again, I
acknowledge her leadership--who is a member of the Judiciary Committee,
the committee of jurisdiction for this; again, I acknowledge
Congressman John Lewis; Congressman Cicilline, who is a member of the
Judiciary Committee; and Congressman Juan Vargas from California.
They have been just extraordinary, all of them.
Again, the members of the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman
Bennie Thompson was in meetings with us preparing to come to the floor,
and I want to acknowledge his leadership on this as well. Congressman
Adam Schiff spent some time with us in Caucus downstairs on this
subject. So many of our colleagues participated in our early morning
meeting until our next meeting to come to the floor.
I will tell you about the early morning meeting, which began around 8
a.m., because when I went into the meeting at 8, I said to our
colleagues that from 8 this morning until 12 tomorrow night is 40
hours, Mr. Speaker. Forty hours.
A strong Biblical number: 40 years in the desert for the Jews, Moses
and Aaron; 40 years. Forty days in the desert with Christ. Forty days
of Lent, so important to many of us here. Forty hours as a Catholic
ritual, the 40 days observing the 40 hours. Forty hours is a number
that is fraught with opportunity.
It is a prayerful time, too, whether it was in the desert with Christ
or in Lent or 40 hours of religious devotion. We should use these 40
hours.
I thought of coming to the floor, as I said earlier, when Senator
Durbin was here and we sang his praises for being such a champion on
this issue. I was going to come and bring my rosary blessed by the Pope
and talk about not just one rosary, five-decade, but all three, the
full rosary. That would take some time. Prayerful about that.
Instead, I did that during the night and came here to make sure that
everyone who follows Congress knows the stories of these DREAMers and
how consistent they are with the aspirations of our Founders; how proud
our Founders would be of the aspirations of these young people to make
the future better; to give back to community; to pledge allegiance to
America; and to fulfill life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
that our Founders--imagine Founders putting as a purpose of our Nation
the pursuit of happiness. They were so wonderful. Everything we do here
has to be to honor the vision of our Founders, to honor the sacrifice
of our men and women in uniform and what they do to make America the
country that we are, the home of the brave and the land of the free,
and also the aspiration of our children.
So I reiterate the statement I made earlier: this is about the
children. It is about the children. Think of it as CHIP. CHIP is a
healthcare program for the children. It is handled discretely. It has
broad support. It is not the whole healthcare bill. It is CHIP for the
children.
This is DREAMers for the children. It is not the whole immigration
bill. It is this. It is a confidence-building step, a first step. We go
to the next, more complicated step of comprehensive immigration reform
we all know. That is why it is in our legislation that we are
beseeching the President--excuse me, well, the President to support,
but our Speaker to give us an opportunity to bring to the floor.
It recognizes our responsibility to protect our borders. It
recognizes our need to be true to who we are and true to our nature in
terms of being inspired by these DREAMers and giving them the
protections that they should have. So we want that opportunity.
Some other colleagues have arrived who have been helping work on this
issue. Our distinguished chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Mr.
Crowley. I think he has been present at every meeting we have had with
the large and small DREAMers, friends of DREAMers, and the rest. I
thank the gentleman for his leadership.
Mr. Levin has also been a strong advocate. Coming from Michigan, he
brings a heartland perspective to our discussion. I thank Mr. Levin.
I thank Carolyn Maloney from New York. Of course, New Yorkers think
they own this issue, but so do we in California. But it is a heartland
issue as well.
So I am very proud of all the Members who have come here, and also
for the work that they have done. There are many others who have been
working very hard on this issue when we started our meetings at 8
o'clock this morning, continued in our leaders meeting with Mr. Crowley
and Mr. Hoyer about where we go from here in terms of the budget
negotiations that have gone on.
As I said earlier, there are many good things in the budget
agreement. They have been responsive in a bipartisan way. Again, it is
a compromise. I just return to that because some people may not have
heard my first statement.
The budget caps agreement includes many Democratic priorities. With
the disaster recovery package and dollar-for-dollar increases in
defense and nondefense budget, Democrats have secured hundreds of
billions of dollars to invest in communities across America. There will
be billions in funding to fight opioids and to strengthen our veterans.
Remember what our priorities were. They were bipartisan priorities that
we were fighting for, appealing for: fighting opioids, strengthening
our veterans, the National Institutes of Health, to build job-creating
rural infrastructure and broadband, and to fund access to childcare and
quality higher education. So it is a good piece of work.
This morning we took a measure of our Caucus because the package
really does nothing to advance a bipartisan legislation to protect
DREAMers in the House. Without a commitment from Speaker Ryan
comparable to the commitment from Leader McConnell, this package cannot
have my support. However, I am hopeful that we can get that commitment.
Let me say about this House of Representatives, first of all, as far
as the Constitution is concerned, we take the oath to protect and
defend it. That is our responsibility.
Of all the things I thought--I thought I might be hungry, I thought I
might be thirsty--I never thought I would get the sniffles from the
rug. But I can handle it if you can.
Honoring the Constitution of the United States is so important. The
first branch, Article I, the legislative branch, we are the first
branch of government. We are the people's House in the wisdom of our
Founders elected every 2 years to have us constantly accountable to our
constituents.
The Constitution said that appropriations bills should begin in the
House. So the House sent over a continuing resolution.
[[Page H942]]
Was that yesterday?
It seems like a long time ago now.
The Senate is acting upon that by adding to it the compromise that I
described and which I think is a good piece of work. I commend both the
leaders, Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer, for their negotiations for
which our House Democratic input was a major part. So I associate
myself with it.
However, the difference between the House and the Senate is that
Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate, was
respectful of his members who asked in a bipartisan way for him to
bring a bill to the floor, and he will give that opportunity. The chips
will fall where they may when they have the debate, but they viewed
that opportunity as a fair one.
We are asking for the same thing.
Now, in our House, our bipartisan bill is further developed. It is
the Hurd-Aguilar bill, which, as I said, recognizes our responsibility
to protect our borders, but also does the job for our DREAMers. It is
just a piece of the immigration bill, but a confidence builder in a
bipartisan way, done, again, in a bipartisan way to build unity with
transparency.
Let's have the debate on the floor.
So why should we be considered the place where appropriations begin,
the place where we will have to take a vote on that again, the only
place in America where you can't debate the issue?
Give us a chance. Give us a vote. Put it all on the floor. Make it
queen of the hill. Bring your Goodlatte bill to the floor. Maybe what
the Senate comes up with should be on the floor as well. We will see
what that is.
It is bipartisan. We know that it will be bipartisan. That requires a
big vote, a supervote in the Senate, the Hurd-Aguilar bill, which has
enough Republican cosponsors and many more supporters to justify it
being brought to the floor.
So what we are asking for is just simply a vote. No guaranty. Just
the ability to debate and consider. Queen of the hill, whoever gets the
most votes, that is the bill that would prevail in the House of
Representatives. If that would be the Senate bill, then that would be
the end of it, and that would go to the President. If it is the Hurd-
Aguilar, that would go to Conference, as would the Goodlatte bill,
should that get the highest number of votes. But I don't anticipate
that would be the case because I don't think it has bipartisan support.
But, again, have the debate and let the chips fall where they may.
So that is why we are here. Since we can't have that debate, all
night, as I was saying my rosaries blessed by the Pope in honor of my
mother, I thought: Can we say the Rosary on the floor? Where can we
have this debate?
Maxine's bill. We have to be here for Maxine's bill. I will use my 1
minute--my leadership 1 minute to tell these stories, which they are so
much more eloquent than anything any of us can say.
But we do not deserve any right, any of us, to say we love DREAMers
or anything like that unless we have an intention of doing something
about it. The DREAMers have worked so hard with such dignity over so
many years, some of them. They have earned the high regard of the
American people. One of the figures that is so overwhelming: 90 percent
want the DREAMers to stay, 80 percent with citizenship, and 70 percent
of the Republicans support the DREAMers.
So we are not asking for something off the wall. It is something that
is--yes, maybe it is off the wall. Maybe the wall is the issue here,
but nonetheless.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, again talking about
those Founders, a new order for the ages, every generation taking the
responsibility for making the future better for the next. Every
testimony talks about that. Parents are making sacrifices for their
children to have a better life, a direct reflection of the American
Dream of hope, determination, optimism, and faith, faith in God, faith
in the future, faith in America, faith in family, faith in the work
ethic, and faith in education.
All of these testimonies talk about giving back. There is not an
ounce of arrogance anyplace. All of them are appreciative of what
America has given them. Sometimes naming names, other times schools,
other times churches, but always understanding that the opportunities
they have are a blessing from our country, and we recognize that they
are a blessing to America.
With that, we will go on to Ana Sanchez. Ana says: ``Like any other
beneficiary of DACA, I, for once, have been given the opportunity to
pursue my dreams by attaining higher education and a job. I am Ana
Sanchez, an 18-year-old undocumented student who was brought to this
country when I was only 2 years old. Due to living conditions of my
home country, my parents decided to immigrate to the United States to
offer me and my sister a much better education and a brighter future.
``Growing up, I was aware that I was born in Mexico. However, I did
not know the effects of being undocumented until high school came
about. Now that I am older, I realize who I am in the eyes of the
government, and it saddens me to know that people believe these
misconceptions of us. I mean, ever since we arrived in Texas, my dad
has risked his health and life by working under dangerous conditions
just to earn enough money to provide food and shelter for my family.
{time} 1445
``When it was announced that DACA would be available for people like
me, my family did not think twice; we all knew it was an advantage and
a precious opportunity the country had given us. Finally we had been
given the chance to prove that we are part of this country's future and
success. Because of DACA, I am able to say I am a part-time student and
part-time staff for an after-school program.''
Ana goes on to say:
``I am two steps closer to becoming a businesswoman and a teacher,
and that gives me hope. Sadly, however, the new administration has
posed threats that would make my hope and my dreams unreachable. If the
permit is taken away, our hard work will become worthless. I want to
give back to this country, so I yearn Congress to give me that
chance.''
We thank Ana for her statement.
Fidencio Fifield-Perez says:
``A high school teacher told me, `People like you don't go to
college.' I was accepted to seven colleges after graduating with honors
from Emsley A. Laney High School, and I now hold a BFA from Memphis
College of Art as well as an MA and MFA from the University of Iowa.
``In July 2012, I stood in front of the television with tears rolling
down my face as I heard President Obama enact the controversial
executive action after the DREAM Act, a bipartisan bill, failed to
reach cloture in the Senate. Even through those tears, I knew that my
life and the lives of so many others were at risk and that most people
would never see this.
``I was the first of my family to graduate from high school. Every
undocumented person I knew, other than my two younger brothers, dropped
out either because it was expected of them or because a high school
diploma meant nothing for the jobs to which they applied. I remember
being told to get a job that paid under the table and to keep my head
down. This was contrary to what my elementary and high school teachers
had told me. `Work hard, and you too can make something of your life.'
Of course, they were as unaware of my status as I was of the full
repercussions that came with it.''
Everyone was excited to start college, and he goes on to talk about
all of that, but it is a similar story about the sacrifices of parents,
the sacrifices of parents to take the risk, parents to work hard and
encourage education, parents wanting to make the future better for
their children. It is a beautiful, beautiful story.
Julyanna Carvalho Rogers:
``I came to the United States for the first time when I was 11 years
old. My younger sister was brought to St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital with leukemia.''
How beautiful.
``We came back 3 years later for her checkup, and we found out she
had relapsed. My dad was afraid of trying to change our expiring
tourist visa in case we had to go back to Brazil and my sister would
not be able to receive treatment. My sister is now a cancer survivor
and would not have been if we had gone back to Brazil. My family left
everything behind to save her and give
[[Page H943]]
us a better life. Thanks to Obama's DACA, I was able to work and help
pay for my college education. Thanks to Obama, my sister also received
health insurance; as a two-time cancer survivor, she needs a lot of
care and attention.
``I thought about giving up many times. I've always been afraid to
tell my story because so many times I've felt judgment towards
immigrants. I'm no longer afraid, I feel that if everyone shares their
story, others will empathize and realize we all have the same story.
``Four years ago, when I felt my lowest, I met my husband. We fell in
love right away. We found each other after years of searching. We now
have two dogs, and we plan on having kids in the next few years.''
That sounds like my daughter. She says: You are going to be a
grandparent of a grandpuppy. Okay, thanks. Now we have nine, but our
first grandchild was a big dog.
``I'm extremely passionate about helping others, and I currently
volunteer for One Family Memphis, a foundation that is building from
the ground up. I am looking forward to making a difference in the
Memphis community as well as raising my kids to see the light hidden in
every darkness.''
Carol Shea-Porter is here from New Hampshire, as well as Susan Davis
from California. I thank them for their leadership and being here.
Another story from Sheila Jackson Lee. Alonso Guillen.
Last September, Alonso, a Mexican National and DREAMer,
drove more than 100 miles from his home in Lufkin, Texas, to
help those trapped by Hurricane Harvey's flooding in the
Houston area. But he and another man disappeared after their
boat capsized in the flood-swollen creek Wednesday, and
relatives went back searching for their bodies.
He moved to Lufkin at age 14 from across the border in
Mexico, graduated from Lufkin High School, and worked in
construction. He often organized fundraisers for those in
need and masterminded his rescue trip to the Houston area on
the fly with friends' help. When Hurricane Harvey hit, they
borrowed a boat and drove South to save strangers.
How beautiful.
Alonzo is survived by his 8-year-old daughter, Mariana.
Mariana, you are in our prayers, and we thank you for sharing your
father with America and for his sacrifice. How sad. Thank you.
Donald Payne, Jr.'s State of the Union guest was Juan Lopez from New
Jersey.
Juan Lopez migrated to the United States from Uruguay at age 2 and
was raised in Newark, New Jersey. He was selected for the Rutgers
Future Scholars program, which is a college preparatory mentoring
program for select first-generation, low-income, academically promising
students from local schools.
Lopez is a senior at Newark Science Park High School and plans to
attend Rutgers-Newark on a scholarship to study pre-engineering.
In anticipation of the State of the Union Address, Lopez issued the
following message:
``My name is Juan Lopez, and I arrived in the United States of
America at the young age of 2 years old. I have been living in the
United States for over 15 years now.''
He is 17 now, Mr. Speaker.
``I remember the first time I heard my legal status referred to as
illegal alien. I immediately felt as though the term did not fit. Alien
means outsider, and I have never felt like one.
``I have lived the entirety of my life in the same place, but I am
not ashamed of where I was from. I embraced the term undocumented and
have used it as a propelling force in my own pursuit of greatness.''
Imagine, his own pursuit of greatness. You go, you 17-year-old Juan
Lopez.
``I am a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,
otherwise known as DACA, and it is something I am very proud of. I am a
DREAMer, and I will continue to dream whether it is here or wherever
the government sends me.''
Karji Forhit. This is the opening line:
`` `I think you get married after you graduate high school.' These
are words my SAT tutor said to me during my college consultation visit.
Halfway through making my college list, he abruptly halted the
conversation and, for a moment, my future. He did not think that I was
fit for college, despite my top-notch academic record that I maintained
since the day I entered prekindergarten. The only viable options he saw
from all undocumented youths was marriage.''
``My name is Karji Forhit, and I am an undocumented immigrant. I was
born in India and grew up in the diverse streets of Jackson Heights''--
in the heights, New York City--``since third grade. I have worked hard
not only to help myself, but help those in undocumented communities.''
He goes on to say:
``My mother decided to move to America because it is where the rains
of hard work, sprinkled with luck, equals success. When President Obama
created DACA, it gave me the opportunity to attend the University of
Notre Dame, where I am pursuing my goal of getting a Ph.D. in
economics. DACA allows me to work not only as a research assistant to
Professor Jeffrey Bergstrand, but also as a tutor at the Notre Dame
writing center. Honing my writing and research skills will not only
advance my career, but will also advance the careers of my fellow
undocumented peers at Notre Dame. While Notre Dame has provided
numerous opportunities for its DACA students, there is still a lot of
work to be done. I am the second generation of undocumented students
that Notre Dame has publicly accepted. Last summer, I conducted
research on medical school admission policies for undocumented
students. This research is critical for the campus career services when
providing guidance and up-to-date information for current pre-med
majors looking for medical schools that are mostly DACA friendly.''
Karji Forhit goes on and on and talks about that and the need for
doctors in our country.
So it is, again, another chance for more doctors. We have talked
about health professionals. We have talked about researchers in the
healthcare field. We have talked about doctors, dentists. We have
talked about graduate students and health-related issues and the need
for more health professionals in our country to meet the health needs
of our country. We hear this coming from these students.
Since we were talking here about this, I wanted to just mention we
talked about Notre Dame here, but so many of the institutions of higher
learning in our country have been so supportive of our DREAMers. The
administrations of these institutions of higher learning have been
advocates for the DREAMers. They have tried to accommodate them where
possible, advocate for them wherever, and part of what we talked about
earlier.
Earlier, we talked about Bibles, badges in our law enforcement
community, and the business community. The business community, tied in
with the academic community, has been a tremendous resource.
I particularly want to mention the CEO of IBM.
IBM has been so good to its DREAMers. They have respected them, given
them opportunities, and advocated and brought them to the Capitol, come
here with their CEO.
It is just really quite remarkable, but I could say that about a
large swath of companies in Silicon Valley. Bill Gates has been a
champion on this issue. I really give them credit for keeping the
prestige of this issue in such a high, high place and making it a
priority in their advocacy here and, importantly, in their community.
The business community has been spectacular both in terms of small
business and corporate America as well.
Again, since we have newcomers here, I want to go back to our bishop
statement from earlier. I thought it would be useful once again, since
we have a new Speaker, to read the statement of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops.
This was their statement on the decision to end DACA and urge
Congress to find a legislative solution. That is what we are trying to
do today, is find a legislative solution, or at least give it a chance
to be debated on the floor.
The following statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
President Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo from Galveston, Houston; along
with Vice President Archbishop Jose H. Gomez from Los Angeles; Bishop
Joe S. Vasquez from Austin, Texas, who is the chairman of the Committee
on Migration; Bishop Joseph J. Tyson from
[[Page H944]]
Yakima, chairman of the Subcommittee on Pastoral Care of Migrants,
Refugees, and Travelers says the ``cancelation of the DACA program is
reprehensible.''
The statement follows:
``The cancellation of the DACA program is reprehensible. It causes
unnecessary fear for DACA youths and their families. These youth
entered the U.S. as minors and often know America as their only home.
``The Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as
DACA youth live out their daily lives with hope and a determination to
flourish and contribute to society: continuing to work and provide for
their families, continuing to serve in the military, and continuing to
receive an education.
``Now, after months of anxiety and fear about their futures, these
brave young people face deportation. This decision is unacceptable and
does not reflect who we are as Americans,'' the bishops said.
{time} 1500
They go on to say: ``The Church has recognized and proclaimed the
need to welcome young people: `Whoever welcomes one of these' ''--now,
this quote is so beautiful, and we should remember it in everything we
do. It is in Mark 9:37. ``Whoever welcomes one of these children in my
name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the
one who sent me.'' Christ welcoming, we welcome Christ, we welcome God
who sent him--so beautiful.
The bishop goes on to say: ``Today, our Nation has done the opposite
of how Scripture calls us to respond. It is a step back from the
progress that we need to make as a country. Today's actions represent a
heartbreaking moment in our history that shows the absence of mercy and
good will and a shortsighted vision of the future. DACA users are woven
into the fabric of our country and of our Church and are, by every
social and human measure, American youth.
``We strongly urge Congress to act and immediately resume work toward
a legislative solution. We pledge our support to work on finding an
expeditious means of protection for DACA youth. . . .''
``As people of faith, we say to DACA youth--regardless of your
immigration status, you are children of God and welcome in the Catholic
Church. The Catholic Church supports you and will advocate for you.''
That was September 5, 2017. That was the day that the President
issued his statement.
Now, having worked with the bishops for awhile, for them to have such
a definitive statement so quickly is pretty remarkable because
sometimes it takes a bill longer for their deliberative process to
work, but this came right away.
Okay. This is doctors and DREAMers. I mentioned about the need for
doctors and the ambition and the vocation that these young people were
feeling towards becoming doctors, and I read this. The Association of
American Medical Colleges reports that the Nation's doctor shortage
will rise between 40,000 and 105,000 by the year 2030. Both the
American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical
Colleges have warned that ending DACA will exacerbate this physician
shortage in the United States, and they have urged Congress to pass
legislation to protect DREAMers.
Are you listening? Listen to what the AMA said.
``Estimates have shown that the DACA initiatives could help introduce
5,400 previously ineligible physicians into the U.S. healthcare system
in the coming decades to help address physician shortages and ensure
patient access to care.''
Remember, those with DACA status will particularly create care
shortages for rural and other underserved areas. Without these
physicians, the AMA is concerned that the quality of care provided in
these communities will be negatively impacted and that patient access
to care will suffer.
This is remarkable, and I am glad it will be submitted for the
Record, but I am going to make sure all of our Members have this.
I acknowledged Mr. Thompson earlier. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
of California is with us now. We have got Jackie Speier, I acknowledge
her; Jamie Raskin of Maryland; Val Demings, I mentioned earlier.
Let me see. Alma Adams, I recognized earlier, too. Ms. Barragan;
Brenda Lawrence from Michigan, who brings that heartland of America
perspective to it; Ann Kuster of New Hampshire. Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson of Texas is with us as well.
Many Members have come and gone, some on more than one occasion, but
I acknowledge everyone who has been here already.
Anybody new on this side?
Okay. So we probably want to hear now about Victor Esparza.
Victor Esparza says: ``The day I received my employment authorization
card through President Obama's DACA program is the day I began to live
without fear. The uber-small and not very well-known village of Eau
Claire, Michigan, is the place that raised me since I was 7 years old.
``My elementary school teachers never treated me differently because
I came from somewhere else and didn't speak the language at the time,
and for that, I loved them. I took pride in doing my best in my high
school courses even though I was filled with anxiety for not knowing
what would be next in my life after my graduation in the summer of
2008.
``As my former high school peers went off to universities and
employment, I went off to live in the shadows, living under the
metaphorical shadow referred to as driving without a proper driving
permit, as the State you lived in required proof of legal residency
when applying for a driver's license. Driving like this meant risking
legal problems when heading out to the grocery store if you made a
driving mistake and got caught for it.
``Living in the shadows meant no financial assistance at your local
community college, which pretty much created an impossible financial
barrier between your career dreams and you. In the shadows, you had no
options but to work in the same farm as your family.
``And let me tell you, perseverance is a requirement when laboring
for below the minimum hourly rate in sweat-inducing conditions. This
life was my own before DACA, and I may not be in the shadows any
longer, but my families and relatives haven't escaped yet.
``I have been working as an IT supporter and analyst for a midsize
drug company for under a year now. This is the best job I ever had, and
I don't say this because my hourly pay has increased. I genuinely love
what I'm doing now,'' Victor tells us.
``Unless you know me on a deep level, you would think I was just
another 26-year-old with a promising career and not someone plagued by
fear of Trump campaign promises. This narrative, I feel, is not only
mine. It is owned, shared by hundreds of thousands of others who also
have persevered because of DACA. If I could have had a conversation
with the President-elect, I would tell him just that, that we have
persevered.''
Thank you, Victor.
Senator Durbin has sent us some more stories. Again, he is our hero
in the Senate. He introduced the bill in 2001. He has spent most of his
official career with DACA as a priority. He has been a champion for
America's working families. He is about creating jobs, good-paying jobs
for the future, about safety in the workplace.
He is the person, along with Frank Lautenberg, who got smoking off of
airlines. Thank you, as one who travels. Last week, I had eight flights
in 10 days. I thank Senator Durbin for that.
He has been a champion in so many, many ways: champion of the
National Institutes of Health, of learning from experience in his own
daughter's health, about the need for Biblical power to cure that the
National Institutes of Health has and appropriated for. The list of his
accomplishments is great, and this is one of them, the DREAMers.
So he sent us this story from Cesar Montelongo:
Today, I want to tell you about Cesar Montelongo. When Cesar was 10
years old, his family came to the United States from Mexico.
He grew up in New Mexico, where his academic prowess was quickly
apparent. He graduated high school with a grade point average above
4.0, and he was ranked third in his class--third in his class.
[[Page H945]]
Cesar was a member of the chess, French, Spanish, physics, and
science clubs. He even took college courses the last 2 years of high
school.
Cesar went on to New Mexico State University, where he was a triple
major in biology, microbiology, and Spanish, as well as two minors in
chemistry and biochemistry. Cesar graduated with distinction in the
honors track with a 3.9 GPA.
Cesar then earned a master's degree in biology, with a minor in
molecular biology, while also working as a teaching assistant. Today,
Cesar is the first DACA student enrolled in the M.D.-Ph.D. program at
Loyola University--Chicago--Stritch School of Medicine. He is entering
his third year of this highly competitive program, and upon completion,
he will receive a medical degree and a doctorate degree in science.
Cesar is one of the more than 30 DACA recipients at the Stritch
School of Medicine, which was the first medical school to admit
students with DACA status.
Thank you, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. This began
in 2014 when they admitted DACA students.
DACA students do not receive special treatment in the selection
process and are not eligible for any Federal financial assistance. Many
have committed to working in a medically underserved community in
Illinois after graduation.
Cesar Montelongo is researching how bladder viruses shape bacteria
populations and the potential implications for urinary infections and
disease.
Wow.
He is also a member of the pathology medical group, a Spanish
interpreter at a clinic, and a mentor for other medical students.
When asked what drew him to medicine, Cesar says: ``When I was very
young, my father became ill and then was bedridden for months. He was
the primary breadwinner, and I saw him as our protector. Watching him
immobilized and screaming in pain impacted my world view. Years later,
we found out that my father had suffered from diabetic myopathy and
neuropathy. Learning that both his illness and our family suffering
could have been prevented by education and relatively inexpensive
medication was heartbreaking. By that time, it made me realize the
potential of medicine.''
Cesar's dream for the future? To become a practicing physician and a
scientist and to develop new and improved clinical diagnostic tools so
that doctors can diagnose and treat disease faster.
Close to 70 DREAMers are in medical school around the country. But
without DACA, these DREAMers will not become physicians and they could
be deported back to countries where they haven't lived since they were
children.
Will America be a stronger country if we deport people like Cesar? I
don't think so. The answer is clear.
Remember that AMA statement from earlier about how important this all
is. I don't have it here right now.
We now want to talk about William Medeiros:
When William was only 6 years old, his family moved to the United
States from Brazil. William grew up in the Boston area and then moved
to Florida.
In high school, he was an honors student and graduated with a 3.8
GPA. He was also an athlete, playing on his high school's soccer and
football teams.
William is now a student at the University of Central Florida, where
he has a 3.5 GPA. He will graduate in the spring of 2019 with his
bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
He is also working a full-time job in order to support himself.
Because he is a DACA recipient, William is ineligible for any financial
aid from the Federal Government.
William's dream? To enlist in the military, and then, after serving
his country, to become an officer with his local police department.
Thanks to DACA, William is on his way to fulfilling his dream. Last
year, he enlisted in the Army through the Medical Accessions Vital to
National Interest program, known as MAVNI.
And here is a photo of him with his recruiter at the enlistment
ceremony.
The MAVNI program, as I mentioned earlier, allows immigrants with
skills that are vital to the national interest to enroll in the armed
services. More than 800 DACA recipients with these critical skills have
joined the military through MAVNI just through that program.
Some in the Trump administration claim that DACA is taking jobs away
from Americans, but William and hundreds of other DREAMers have vital
skills that our military couldn't find elsewhere. William, along with
other DREAMers, is waiting to ship out to basic training. He continues
his undergraduate studies and working full-time, waiting his chance to
serve the country he loves.
William wrote this letter: ``My desire to serve this Nation and help
people, to pay back my dues for everything I received from this great
country, and to lead by example by showing my fellow DACA members that
anything is possible with hard work, perseverance, and dedication.''
William Medeiros and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our
country, but without the Dream Act, William and hundreds of other
immigrants with skills that are vital to our national interests will be
kicked out of the Army.
They want nothing more than to serve, and they are willing to die for
the country they call home. Instead, they could be deported back to
countries they haven't lived in since they were children.
Will America be stronger if we deport William and people like him who
want to stay here and serve in the armed services? I think the answer
is quite clear. No, we won't be strong.
Today, again, I want to tell you about Ximena Magana. When Ximena was
9 years old, her family came to the United States from Mexico City. She
was raised in the city of Houston. We have a lot of Houston folks.
Jerry McNerney, I acknowledged him earlier, and thank him for being
here. Mr. McGovern, I acknowledged him earlier.
Mr. Grijalva, Raul Grijalva, who has been really an outstanding
leader on this subject, has joined us, but he has been with us in every
meeting today on the subject. I thank Raul for joining us here.
I acknowledged her earlier, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, the fact
that she was the chair of the Spanish Caucus the year when we passed
the DREAM Act in the House of Representatives.
And as I acknowledged earlier, Senator Durbin was the author in the
Senate. It got a majority of the votes, but not 60.
So I thank those two leaders once again.
{time} 1515
Ximena was 9 years old when her family came to the United States from
Mexico City. She was raised in the city of Houston and lives there
today.
In high school, Ximena served in the United States Army's Junior
Reserve Officers' Training Corp, known as the Junior ROTC program.
Under her leadership, Ximena's battalion was named the best battalion
in the Houston Independent School District.
Ximena also serves as captain of her high soccer team and a regular
volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. A real leader, Ximena is majoring
in communications at the University of Houston.
She has interned with United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
and City Council Member Robert Gallegos. Due to Ximena's community
service, she was asked by the mayor of Houston to serve as the youngest
member of the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board. She is the first DACA
recipient to serve on the board.
Last week, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Ximena stepped in to
help her community just like she has always done. She volunteered at
shelters helping people with FEMA and Red Cross applications. She was
joined by many other DACA recipients. It is a stunning story of DACA
recipients helping after Hurricane Harvey.
Ximena wrote me a letter--this is from Senator Durbin. She asked for
only one thing: for President Trump to come visit the Houston DACA
volunteers, to meet these heroes, to look in their eyes, hear their
stories before deporting them to countries they barely know.
Ximena and other dreamers have so much to contribute to our country.
Again, I ask the country: Will America be stronger if we deported
Ximena? I don't think so.
[[Page H946]]
Cristina Velasquez--no relation to Congresswoman Velazquez.
Today I want to tell you about Cristina Velasquez. When Cristina was
6 years old, her family came to the United States from Caracas,
Venezuela. She went to elementary school in Madison, Wisconsin.
Cristina wrote this letter. In it, she talked about her childhood,
and she said: ``I spent my formative childhood years in the Midwest,
where I learned to assimilate and learn the values that this country
was founded on. The salt-of-the-earth quality of the people around me
and extraordinary kindness between strangers shaped my own values and
attitude towards others. Growing up in Madison taught me a great deal
about compassion, patience, and hard work.''
Cristina was an outstanding student. In high school, she was a member
of the National Honor Society--you have heard that over and over and
over again, the National Honor Society--and she also was elected as
vice president of her class and manager of the track team. She also
found time to volunteer.
I love the way kids are so top-notch, academically, participate in
athletics and the rest, and in their spare time work at the local camp
for pre-K students or the food bank or whatever it is.
Cristina graduated with honors from Miami Dade College. She is
currently a student at Georgetown University, majoring in international
law, institutions and ethics. She received the President's Volunteer
Service Award 2 years in a row and is a Walsh Scholar.
And as a Hoya mom and Hoya wife and Hoya grandmother, I can tell you,
being a Walsh Scholar at Georgetown, that is a very big deal.
During her time at Georgetown, Cristina has interned at the U.S.
House of Representatives and piloted a college mentorship program at a
local high school. In addition to this, she finds time to work two
part-time jobs.
How many hours do you have in a day, Cristina?
She has also dedicated two of her undergraduate summers during the
school year to volunteer as a teacher in Miami and in San Francisco.
In both these positions, she works with high-achieving, low-income
students providing support for their path to college. You see,
Cristina's dream is to be a teacher.
She will graduate from Georgetown soon. She has been accepted to
Teach For America, a national nonprofit organization that places Talent
Regents graduates in urban and rural schools. Teach For America has 190
teachers who are DACA DREAMers and are teaching our children across the
country.
Is that beautiful?
In any event, Cristina is scheduled to start the program next summer
and start teaching next fall, but without DACA or the Dream Act,
Cristina and 190 other teachers will be forced to leave their students
behind.
Again, will America be stronger? I don't think so.
Jesus Contreras: Jesus was only 6 years old when he was brought to
the United States from Mexico by his mother, who sought safety from
violence. He grew up in Houston.
After graduating from high school as a top student, Jesus obtained
DACA. This enabled him to pursue his dream of becoming a paramedic.
Jesus attended Lone Star College in Houston and earned his paramedic
certification. Today, Jesus is 23 years old. He works as a paramedic in
the Montgomery County Hospital District.
Through Hurricane Harvey, Jesus Contreras worked six straight days
rescuing people from flood areas. He helped people who needed dialysis
or insulin. He took flood victims to local hospitals. Afterward, he
would stop at home for a quick shower before heading to his local
church to volunteer, helping flood victims with their medical needs.
Jesus sent this letter, and it says: ``Houston is my home, and these
are my people. I love my career. It has given me the opportunity to
help people in ways I never imagined I could. DACA means everything to
me. I would lose my license and certifications without it. I would be
sent back to a country I don't know and would lose everything.''
Jesus and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country.
But without DACA, Jesus couldn't have worked to protect his community
through Hurricane Harvey, and he could be deported back to Mexico,
where he hasn't lived since he was 6 years old.
Will America be stronger if he goes away?
I don't think so, no.
We have another Georgetowner here: Luis Gonzalez. When Luis was 8
years old, his family came to the United States from Mexico. Luis had a
difficult childhood in Santa Ana, California. After his parents
separated, he lived with his mother in a car garage for several years.
Then, after his mother remarried, Luis lived with an abusive
stepfather.
But Luis overcame these circumstances and became an excellent
student. He graduated high school in the top 1 percent of his class--
now that is a 1 percent we like to talk about--with a 4.69 GPA, and he
passed all nine advanced placement exams that he took.
Luis was also very involved in extracurricular and volunteer
activities. He was the secretary of the school's--here it is again--
National Honor Society chapter. Luis helped organize an anti-bullying
campaign at a local elementary school. He created a mentorship program
to help incoming freshmen at his high school.
On Saturdays, instead of relaxing, he volunteered to tutor other
students in math--on Saturdays, every Saturday--and he volunteered to
help a teacher at a local elementary school.
Luis was also very active in his church. Every Sunday, he translated
the pastor's sermon into English for those who didn't speak Spanish.
And he cleaned up the church before and after Sunday service.
Because of his outstanding record in high school, Luis was admitted
to Georgetown University. He is currently a sophomore and majoring in
American studies and minoring in government.
Luis continues to use his spare time--really--to give back to the
community. He is a member of the Provost's Committee for Diversity. He
is the co-chair of the Hoya Saxa Weekend, a program that brings
students from underrepresented communities to visit Georgetown. And
Luis is a leader of Stride for College, a program that mentors students
at local inner-city high schools.
Luis' dream is to be a high school teacher, which is not surprising,
given the strong commitment he has already shown to helping young
people.
Luis wrote in his letter: ``DACA gave me the confidence and the
security I had not had before. I lived in fear and in the shadows.
Thanks to DACA, however, I have been able to do things I otherwise
wouldn't be able to do, like traveling through an airport or working on
a campus. I've always felt that I am an American, but having DACA
allowed me to stop living in constant fear and uncertainty. Now these
fears have come back again.''
Will America be stronger if we deport Luis Gonzalez if he stays here
and becomes a high school teacher?
I think that the answer is obvious.
Now, on this subject of Georgetown and English, his second language,
and translating into English for those who don't speak Spanish. He
cleaned up the church before and after Sunday service. The thing about
the church that is interesting, I just recently--and I won't read it
again right now, but the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops'
statement I read from His Holiness about immigrants when he was here in
the Capitol--but I also mentioned Dr. Sam Rodriguez and other leaders
in the evangelical community who have been so outspoken on protecting
our DREAMers.
I know we all go to church services every week. I mean, that is what
I hear. I go to a lot of different places because I travel around the
country. And more and more around the country, and in my own community
in California, more and more of our parishioners are from the
Philippines or from Latin America. So a lot of the future of the
church--by the way, in one of the churches I go to in California, our
pastor was from Nigeria. In my church in San Francisco, one of our
priests was from the Philippines. The idea of parishioners being more
diverse is also the clergy being more diverse.
So when we talk about faith and building faith and strong faith in
our
[[Page H947]]
country, recognize how faith-filled so many of these families are who
come to our country. Again, our motto is ``In God We Trust.'' It is
wonderful to see their faith in God, their faith in America, their
faith in the future, their fair in themselves, their faith in their
families, and their faith that gives them hope, the faith in the
goodness of others, as I said, hope, sitting right there between faith
and charity.
So just, again, that spark of divinity that we all have, we have to
act upon.
We will talk about Benita Veliz. Benita was brought to the United
States by her parents when she was only 8. She graduated as the
valedictorian of her high school class at the age of 16. She received a
full scholarship to St. Mary's University. She graduated from the
honors program with a double major in biology and sociology. Her honors
thesis was on the Dream Act.
She wrote: ``I can't wait to be able to give back to the community
that has given me so much. I was recently asked to sing the national
anthem for both the United States and Mexico at a Cinco de Mayo
community assembly. Without missing a beat, I quickly belted out the
Star Spangled Banner. I then realized that I had no idea how to sing
the Mexican national anthem. I am American. My dream is American. It is
time to make our dreams a reality. It is time to pass the Dream Act.''
We have some photos.
This is Javier Cuan-Martinez. Javier was only 4 years old when his
family brought him to the United States from Mexico. Javier went to
elementary school in Texas, and then moved to Temecula, California.
Javier was an excellent student, who was very involved in
extracurricular and volunteer activities as the member of the National
Honor Society and was named Riverside County's Student of the Month.
He also received an award from the College Board's National Hispanic
Recognition Program, which is given to only 5,000 of the 250,000
Hispanic students who take the test.
Javier was a member of the math club and a drum major in the school's
marching band. He volunteers in his town's soup kitchen for the
homeless, and received the President of the United States Volunteer
Service Award.
Javier didn't know he was undocumented until he was applying for
college and learned that he was ineligible for Federal financial
assistance. Thanks to his academic achievements, Javier was accepted at
Harvard University. He is now majoring in computer science. He is also
a member of the Harvard Computer Society and Harvard's marching band.
Thanks to DACA, Javier is supporting himself by working as a web
developer.
Javier sent his letter. He wrote: ``DACA doesn't give me an
advantage. Rather, it gives me the opportunity to create my own future
on the same grounds as any other student. I would like to be judged
upon my qualities as a person than what papers I happen to have in my
hand. I hope to be a computer programmer and begin earning my living as
a contributing member of America's society.''
Consider this: every year, thousands of foreign computer programmers
come to the United States as temporary guest workers under H-1B visas.
It makes no sense to deport a homegrown talent, like Javier, when
American companies are importing foreign computer specialists. Javier
and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country.
God bless you, Javier.
This is a story from Terri Sewell.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Terri Sewell for joining us.
Terri brings this story of a DREAMer from Alabama. Fernanda Herrera
said: ``I came to the U.S. when I was 2\1/2\ and grew up in Gadsden,
Alabama, where I attended Gadsden City High School and played the flute
in the band, serving as a section leader for 2 years.
{time} 1530
``I moved to Birmingham in 2013 to attend Samford University as an
honor student majoring in International Relations. I graduated this
past May, with thousands out in loans for my degree and am hoping to
attend law school.
``My parents and U.S.-born little brother live in Ragland, where they
own a small Mexican restaurant under my name since I am the only person
of age and with a Social Security number.''
They own it under that.
``I recently had a car wreck that put me $40,000 further into debt.
If DACA is taken away, I will not be able to work to pay back my loans,
my hospital debt, my car payments, or my debt from helping my parents
with their restaurant. Without a clean Dream Act, my U.S. citizen
brother is forced to choose between having his sister or his parents
here.''
Oh, we do have a picture here. How lovely. How cute the little
brother is. How lovely.
I thank Terri Sewell for that and thank her for her extraordinary
leadership from Alabama about a DREAMer.
The DREAMers are all over our country, Mr. Speaker. They are a
blessing so across the board.
From the heartland of America, we have many from Michigan, from
Illinois, from Alabama, of course Texas heartland as well, but it is
also a border State.
Lara Alvarado was 8 years old. Her family brought her to the United
States from Mexico. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois. In high school,
Lara was an excellent student and was involved in many extracurricular
and volunteer activities. She was a member of the National Honor
Society--the National Honor Society, the resounding theme of all of
this, a member of the National Honor Society.
She played soccer, tennis, and basketball, and she was a member of
the student government, the school newspaper, the chess club and the
yearbook club.
Lara went to Northeastern Illinois University. In college, she worked
two jobs to pay for her college tuition. Keep in mind, she is
ineligible for Federal financial assistance because of her immigration
status. In 2006, Lara graduated with honors with a major in justice
studies; but then she was stuck. Lara wanted to become a lawyer but was
unable to pursue this dream, Mr. Speaker, because she was undocumented.
Six long years later, in 2012, President Obama established DACA, and
Lara's life changed. In 2013, Lara received DACA and enrolled in law
school at Southern Illinois University. In law school, Lara won the
moot court competition. She won the moot court competition--how about
that--and was selected for the Order of Barristers, a legal honor
society.
This spring, 10 years after she graduated from college, Lara received
her law degree. Over the summer, she passed her bar exam; and just last
month, Lara received her Illinois law license, which she is proudly
holding in this picture.
You see, Lara never gave up on her dream of becoming a lawyer, and
thanks to DACA and her hard work, this dream has become a reality. Now
Lara is planning a career in public interest law. She says: ``I would
like to be of service to others.''
In her letter, she says: ``DACA has opened the door.''
I keep hearing that theme: open the door, open the door. Let the
Speaker please open the door so we can have that debate here, as Mitch
McConnell has done in the Senate.
Lara writes: ``DACA has opened the door to possibilities that were
beyond my reach. DACA represents a better life and the opportunity to
achieve the American Dream. DACA has given me the freedom to live
without fear. I now have the confidence to know that my hard work,
dedication, and achievements can be recognized. I will continue to work
hard and lead by the example of what I can accomplish if given the
opportunity.''
Lara and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our country.
Will America be a stronger country if we deport Lara? I don't think so.
This is from Representative Engel from New York; it is one of his
constituents.
``My name is Diana, a constituent of yours from Yonkers, New York. I
am a DACA recipient who is currently in limbo not knowing what my
future holds. I was able to obtain a driver's license and put myself
through tech school where I obtained my EMT license. I also obtained
phlebotomy and
[[Page H948]]
EKG certifications, which have certified me to work in the emergency
room. If Congress approves a path to citizenship, I would be able to
accomplish so much more to give back to my family and community. I love
what I am doing and do not want to lose all that I have worked for.
Thank you for taking the time to read my message. Sincerely, Diana.''
Another from Congressman Engel, a constituent.
``My name is Justa, from the Bronx, New York. I applied for DACA in
July after finding out from an ICE officer that I had 60 days to leave
the country or face deportation. I am also about to lose my job because
I have not received my new EAD card. DACA is my only hope.''
Elizabeth, again from Eliot Engel, from Yonkers. She writes to
Congress: ``I am contacting you because I submitted my initial DACA
application earlier in 2017 and completed my biometrics in April. I
have yet to receive any other guidance. I humbly ask if there's any way
that you can help me out. I am absolutely heartbroken and in deep
emotional stress because of everything that is going on at the moment
with DACA. I have two children in 4th and 6th grades. I would not be
able to imagine my life without them. I arrived in the U.S. when I was
9 months old and am now 28. I have called USCIS, and the only
information they provided was the one already on their website. I just
asked if it was possible to request an inquiry, and they said it
wouldn't be possible. I just had to wait.''
Another one, Stephanie. Stephanie is the girlfriend of an unnamed
DREAMer in Eliot Engel's district. ``I write to you today about DACA.
My boyfriend is a DACA recipient. He is a building engineer who lives
in New Rochelle, New York. He is a high school graduate and has his
associate's degree. He has no criminal record. He pays taxes yet reaps
none of the benefits available to citizens, welfare, Social Security,
et cetera. He is a good person from a good family. I am terrified that
Congress will not be able to come to an agreement over DACA and his
safety will hang in the balance; that he could be sent back to a
country he barely knows. I understand that you are against the decision
to end DACA, but I beg you, please do not party lines and bargaining
chips get in the way of fixing this. Do whatever is necessary. This has
been a horrible day, but, in 6 months, it could get so much worse.''
I thank Eliot Engel for giving us those stories from his district.
This is from Barbara. In 2002, when Barbara was 5 years old, her
family brought her to the United States from Mexico. Barbara grew up in
Phoenix, Arizona, and she knew she would face challenges because she
was a DREAMer.
Her older sister had been accepted at a State university but could
not afford to attend. As an undocumented immigrant, she is not eligible
for Federal financial assistance, and Arizona law prohibits State
financial assistance to DREAMers like Barbara and her sister.
During her freshman year in high school, the mentor told her that, as
a DREAMer: ``You're going to have to try harder than everyone else.''
She says: ``Those words confirmed what I had known all along. Although
I was only starting high school, I began to dread what most students
anticipate with excitement, graduation day. What if I got into my dream
school, but I couldn't go because I couldn't afford it?''
In high school, Barbara was an excellent student and was involved in
many extracurricular and volunteer activities. She was a member of the
Academic Decathlon team for 4 years and was a team captain during her
senior year. She was a member of the student government, the yearbook
club, the homecoming court; she volunteered to tutor middle school
students and worked part-time to save money for her education.
Barbara also participated in a number of programs at Arizona State
University, including the Walter Cronkite journalism institute. She
recorded a story about her life, and it was aired around the country on
National Public Radio. This experience sparked her interest in
journalism and led to an internship at KJZZ, the Phoenix affiliate of
National Public Radio.
Last year, Barbara graduated as valedictorian of her high school with
a 4.5 GPA. As a result of her accomplishments, Barbara was accepted at
Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school, where she is now a sophomore--
a great Ivy League school.
Barbara writes: ``I'm very grateful for DACA allowing me to work and
not be deported to a country I didn't know and have not been since I
was 5. Just like thousands of other undocumented students, I have grown
and become accustomed to the culture here; this is where I belong. I
want to be a contributing member of society, as I have proven in my 13
years.''
As we know, Barbara and DREAMers have so much to contribute to our
country.
We have a little boy here, Aciel. He was a 5-year-old boy. His family
brought him to the United States from Mexico. He grew up on the north
side of Chicago. We have got a lot of Chicago, a lot of New Jersey
here. Aciel was a bright child, but when he learned that he was
undocumented, his life took a downturn. He was failing his classes and
dropped out of high school for 6 months.
He wrote: ``I felt that because of my status I had no future. As a
result, my grades and attendance plummeted, and I struggled to do
anything productive.''
Then, in 2012, President Obama announced DACA and everything changed
for him. Here is how Aciel explained it. ``DACA meant I had a future
worth fighting for and, because of that, I returned to school and
reignited my passion for studying. Because of DACA, I want to do
whatever I can to contribute to my country.''
In his senior year in high school, he turned his life around; he
improved his grades; very active in the community, head of the school
fundraising committee, and volunteered with the mentoring program. He
also worked full time to support himself and his family.
He is in his sophomore year in Honors College at the University of
Illinois in Chicago. He has a double major in psychology and political
science. He has a perfect 4.0 grade point average. He is involved with
student government, and leads a recreational bike club.
Every week, he delivers food from the college dining hall to a
homeless shelter. He mentors middle school students. He is a part-time
security guard at local events. He dreams of working in Chicago city
government. He gives hope to people who need it to turn their lives
around. Now he wants to give back to the city and country he loves.
I do note that we will have an opportunity to hear from the Vice
President. Do we have to have the vote here first before Members can
go--the floor vote will occur soon after I yield back. I have no
intention of yielding back, Mr. Speaker. I have a lot more.
Do we know yet if there is any possibility of a Special Order later?
We asked about 3 hours ago. There are other Members to participate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Harper). The gentlewoman from California
is free to consult with leadership on that issue.
Ms. PELOSI. Well, that is what we asked earlier, and we had made that
overture but never did get an answer back.
We have been joined by Congresswoman Judy Chu who, as I mentioned
earlier, is the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American
Caucus, a leader fighting for family fairness and the issue of family
unification in any of our immigration discussions; Congresswoman Nita
Lowey, our ranking member on appropriations and really central to all
the discussion this is about, about the appropriations bill that will
come back from the Senate.
It will come back from the Senate with a promise from their leader,
Mitch McConnell, that we would--that they, in the Senate, would have a
vote on a DREAMers bill to be debated, and the chips will fall where
they may. We are simply asking the Speaker for the same opportunity.
So I thank Mrs. Lowey for her leadership. Congresswoman Roybal-
Allard, as I mentioned earlier, was the original--I called her the
godmother--of the DREAM Act. She had the original bill, and then she
joined with Senator Durbin in advancing it in 2001.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, part of our communications group on this
[[Page H949]]
and other subjects, I thank Hakeem Jeffries from New York.
Congressman Gonzalez from Texas who knows firsthand the border, the
challenges that we face; Congressman Joe Kennedy from Massachusetts,
again, a strong supporter, mentioned again in his response to the
President.
I mentioned Adam Schiff earlier about his being involved in our
discussions and our earlier meetings today on the subject; and
Congresswoman Hanabusa from Hawaii, of course, very involved in this
issue, as you would suspect.
So I thank so many of our colleagues for joining here on the floor. I
don't know if they have--I have so many more, but I didn't know if they
had any. These are from my colleagues. This is my stack, but these are
from my colleagues; so I will go to those.
From Congresswoman Lowey, this is a letter from a DREAMer to
Congresswoman Nita Lowey. ``I want to thank you for your support of
DACA. I know you are doing all you can to fight heartless legislation
and initiatives that would deport a potential 800,000 young people. I
am 28 years old, and I am one of the DREAMers, having come to America
from El Salvador when I was 15 years old.
``I attended school in Ramapo, New York, and now make my home with my
wife in Pearl River. Life in El Salvador, where I was born, was
dangerous and brutal, which is why my father moved us to America in
2005.''
And this is a story we have heard over and over.
``I am grateful every day for all the opportunities presented to me
here. I currently work as a technology specialist at Apple and feel it
is so important to continue achieving, setting goals, and giving back
to my community.''
{time} 1545
``It would break my heart to lose my home and life here in New York.
``The prognosis on DACA seems to be changing daily, adding to growing
uncertainty. My status expires in November.
``What will my future be?
``I am reaching out to you to ask if I could meet with you at one of
your local offices to discuss DACA.
``My employer has offered support and legal assistance. . . .''
That is from Hugo Alexander Acosta Mazariego.
And as I said earlier, our business community has been superlative in
all of this.
Representative Torres sent a story from Leydy Rangel: ``My name is
Leydy Rangel, and I have lived in the United States since I was 8. I am
now 22. In June, I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, where I earned a
degree in journalism. I have always known I am undocumented because I
remember the first day of elementary school and how kids pointed out my
brown skin so much.''
I told you my story about that before.
Leydy says: ``I know that my parents moving to the States was
extremely horrifying and leaving everything behind was difficult, but
it makes me feel better knowing that my future here was brighter than
the one I could've ever had in Mexico.
``Regardless of not having enough food on the table, not having help
on my homework, not having any resources to help me apply to college, I
managed and got accepted to college and moved hours away from home with
the purpose of bettering myself and my family.''
This is really the American Dream story over and over again.
She references when DACA was created, she had stability, if only
temporarily, in America, the only country she knows. By repealing DACA,
her hopes and aspirations were forced into another place.
Leydy says: ``I do not have any clear memories of Mexico, and I do
not know anyone in Mexico. My entire life is in the United States. Here
is where I have made my life for myself, and taking that away from me
is inhumane. This Nation is the only one that I aspire to contribute to
and the only one I belong to.''
Graciela Nunez is a 22-year-old student, a Washington graduate, who
works at a humanitarian law firm. She is a driven person with a desire
to give back, and she has big ambitions for the future. She is also a
DREAMer and DACA recipient who was born in Venezuela.
When Graciela was 7 years old, her parents moved. They told her that
her family was going to the U.S. to visit Disney World on a short
vacation. Only as she got off the plane did she realize that she was
not going back to Venezuela. They were fleeing the Chavez regime, and
they were in the United States to stay.
This is the only country Graciela knows. She, like 1.8 million other
DREAMers in this country, has built her life here. She is as American
as it gets. A piece of paper could not negate her participation in all
of the things that make this country great. Graciela feels little
connection to Venezuela. She doesn't know how many Presidents that
country has had. She is unfamiliar with the geography, but she has got
a 5 in AP U.S. history and she can talk about the documents that built
this Nation with more detail than any of us.
In Graciela's words, she has been living under constant heightened
stress because of the fate of DACA. And we know what that program is
about.
Graciela says DACA has let people know that undocumented youth have
potential. It gives them upward social mobility and a way out. It
allows DREAMers to do exactly what their name implies: to dream for a
better life and to not let paper limit potential.
Jimmy Panetta has sent us a story from Katherine from Salinas. I
mentioned Jimmy earlier and his work in trying to find a bipartisan
solution.
Katherine says: ``I'm very grateful for all the things this country
has done for me, but I think it's not their turn to see what I have
done for them, to see everything that I've accomplished: the awards,
the high GPAs, and all the amazing people that are DACA recipients. The
process you have to go through and the strictness to obtain DACA is so
hard. If you have just a little detail on your record, that's it,
you're out.
``We're some of America's best. And I want to know why they are
taking this away from us.
``Why don't you want us here? Don't you want people with degrees?
Don't you want people with cool internships and cool jobs? Why don't
you want me here?
``Our parents are original DREAMers, and we're here trying to
accomplish their dreams. Please be able to see that for yourselves.''
So this is that same thing about parents.
Mr. Hoyer has a story from Ivy Teng Lei, a Chinese American DACA
recipient raised in Manhattan's Chinatown. She is the youngest of three
and became the second to graduate college in her family from Baruch
College. Today, she continues to devote her free time to empowering
underserved communities. She chairs the Professional Leadership Council
on Asian American Federation, hosts seminars and workshops on
professional and cultural engagement activities. She is now an
independent consultant for small business, nonprofits, and immigrant
organizations. She just devotes so much of her free time to empowering
underserved communities.
Ivy Teng Lei's story is just what this country needs. I thank Mr.
Hoyer for referring her to us. She is a Chinese American.
Jung Bin Cho's family emigrated to the United States in 2001 from
South Korea. They decided to leave to attain the American Dream for
their children. He enrolled in first grade in Virginia, and, in 2016,
proudly graduated from Virginia Tech.
Jung Cho says: ``The U.S. is the only home I know. Because of DACA, I
worked and could save money to help pay for college. Where I live in
Northern Virginia, you need a car to get anywhere. Because of DACA, I
can drive, giving my family rides or to study.''
Anyway, these are all just very personal stories about the struggles,
the obstacles, but the optimism, the determination, and the hope that
all of these people have. Isn't that what America is about? America is
about optimism and hope.
This one is from Representative Esty about Carolina Bortolleto. She
had other testimony earlier. Elizabeth Esty from Connecticut has been a
champion on this issue, and she sends this other testimony.
Carolina says: ``I was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. with my
family
[[Page H950]]
and my twin sister when I was 9 years old. I came to Connecticut. I
knew I was undocumented, and so I'd face a tougher path to college, but
I made the decision to keep fighting.
``I was able to graduate in top 5 percent of my class and got a
scholarship to Western Connecticut State University, where I graduated
in 2010 with a degree in biology. In 2010, I cofounded a local
organization working for the rights of undocumented students in
Connecticut.
``I was able to buy my first car and obtain a driver's license. At
the end of 2014, I suffered a severe medical emergency and spent 8
months in the hospital. But due to DACA, I was able to get a job that
offered health insurance with the national organization United We
Dream.''
Here we are again with United We Dream.
Carolina says: ``Now my DACA expires on March 2019, and, with it, I
will lose my health insurance that I need to live.''
Again, these stories go on and on. I think, really, the point is that
these young people have accomplished things that I think many of us
would not have been able to accomplish. Perhaps some. I give everyone
credit for obstacles they have overcome. But if you have all of the
obstacles of economic disadvantage, plus being undocumented,
uncertainty in your family, and all the emotional unrest that that
causes, and to see them in the National Honor Society, the top 1
percent, the top 10 percent, the top 5 percent of their classes, giving
back, volunteering over and over again in their communities, these are
the best of the best. They are so fabulous.
Again, their parents were so courageous. They had a dream for their
children, and some of these children are now reflecting that they are
living their parents' dream for them. And that is what America has
always been about.
Mr. Speaker, I have plenty more stories to tell. Some of them
submitted by our colleagues, but I know that there is supposed to be a
vote sometime soon.
Is that correct? Or can we just go on?
Mr. Speaker, may I ask what the order of things is here? Do I have
just time to go on and on? Or is there a vote being called? Or what?
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Rice of South Carolina). The House is
currently considering H.R. 1153.
Ms. PELOSI. Aldo Solano was at the State of the Union address. He was
the guest of Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Aldo moved from Mexico when
he was 6. He grew up in one of the Farmworker Housing Development
Corporation's affordable housing communities in Woodburn, Oregon. At
15, he started volunteering at FHDC's afterschool program and later
interned for its Funds Development Department, creating his pathway to
a career in community development and a passion for social equity.
After graduating from Woodburn High School, Aldo became a DACA
recipient. He has extensive experience with electoral and community-
based organizing in areas of farmworkers' rights, immigrants' rights,
youth employment, and education.
Aldo currently serves as the policy director for the Oregon Latino
Health Coalition, where he is part of a team that helped pass State
legislation that extends health coverage to undocumented children in
Oregon.
God bless you for that, Aldo.
We have been joined by Congressman Eric Swalwell from California, and
we thank him for his leadership on this very important issue working
with the Future Forum, visiting with DREAMers all over the country.
Also, Keith Ellison joined us, who I referenced earlier his testimony
from his constituent in Minnesota as well.
Mr. Hoyer has another testimony from Chirayu Patel, an Indian
American who arrived here when he was 11 years old. For 23 years he has
lived here. He was from Gujarat.
Isn't that where the Prime Minister is from in India?
Chirayu has spent years and thousands of dollars to resolve our
status. He says: ``However, due to incorrect filing by a notary that
took advantage of my father's lack of knowledge about U.S. immigration
process, our current lawyer has said that there is simply no way for us
to get right with the law unless there is a change in law by the
Congress.''
Again, I won't read the whole statement, but Chirayu says: ``Over the
years, our family has built a life here and given back to the only
country we know as home. My parents have paid income taxes, property
taxes, and even business taxes. I was also the first person in my
family to graduate from college. The introduction of DACA in 2012 was a
consequential day for me.
``The President's decision to rescind the DACA program was a punch in
the gut, and I felt the floor disappear under my feet.''
Chirayu says:
After 23 years, my life may be destroyed overnight. I
continue to raise awareness on this issue by sharing our
stories and asking our families, friends, and neighbors to
continue pushing Congress. In return, we hope that Congress
can deliver.
I thank Mr. Hoyer for submitting that.
Mr. Swalwell's testimony is from Jose from Hayward, California. He
came to the United States as a child from Mexico. He has only pledged
allegiance to the United States of America. He is headed to college
soon and wants to be a police officer in the only country he has called
home.
Thank you, Mr. Swalwell, for bringing that to our attention.
Valentina Garcia Gonzalez was only 6 years old when her family
brought her to the United States from Uruguay. She grew up in the
suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. She was a bright child and learned English
after a few months of college. Valentina says: ``After that, I became
my parents' right hand. Everything and anything that involved speaking
to the outside world meant I was in the front translating and
representing my parents. It was a lot of responsibility for a young
undocumented kid.''
In addition to this responsibility, Valentina was an excellent
student. She received the President's Education Award twice, once from
President Bush and once from President Obama. In high school, she was
an honors graduate in advanced placement, a leader in student
government, a member of the Beta Club.
Somehow Valentina found time to be the president of the school's
environmental group and manager of the varsity basketball team.
They have so many hours in a day, these DREAMers. She was a very
accomplished student, but Georgia State law bans undocumenteds from
attending the State's top public universities. As a result, Valentina
applied and was accepted to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New
Hampshire.
Congratulations, Valentina.
She is now a sophomore there. To help pay her tuition, she works as a
projectionist at a theater, as an undocumented student. She still finds
time to volunteer and mentor children.
In her letter, she wrote: ``I am beyond grateful because, by
receiving DACA, the U.S. has given me an opportunity to give back to
this country that has given me so much. This is my country. I have
worked hard to prove myself worthy in the eyes of my American
counterparts, and knowing that I am in a weird limbo in regards to my
legal status doesn't make me sleep any easier. My name is registered
with the government, so I might be deported if they decide to end
DACA.''
It would be so sad if she were deported back to Uruguay, a country
where she hasn't lived since she was 6 years old. I don't think our
country would be stronger without that.
Oscar Cornejo, Jr., was 5 years old when his family came to the
United States from Mexico. He grew up in Park City, a small northern
suburb of Chicago. He became an excellent student in high school. He
was a member of, again, the National Honor Society, and he was an
Illinois State Scholar. He received several advanced placement awards.
He graduated magna cum laude.
What he says is: ``My parents always instilled in me the value of an
education, which is one of the main reasons they decided to leave
everything in Mexico and come to the United States. I dedicate myself
to my education to honor the sacrifices my parents made.''
{time} 1600
Because of his outstanding academic achievements, he was admitted to
Dartmouth. He is the first member of
[[Page H951]]
his family to attend college. He excelled at Dartmouth. During freshman
year, he received the William S. Churchill prize for outstanding
academic achievement.
Just absolutely fabulous. Thank you. Thank you for submitting Oscar's
story.
He says: ``When I received my DACA, the threat of deportation had
been lifted and I felt I could actually achieve my dreams. DACA has
allowed me to work for the first time, and the money I earn goes to
support my education and my family.''
Again, a valuable asset.
Let me just recap a little bit of this, Mr. Speaker.
So many of our DREAMers are interested in becoming doctors and
healthcare professionals, whether it be researchers, nurses, or other
healthcare professionals.
I just want to read once again this statement from the Association of
American Medical Colleges:
The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that the
Nation's doctor shortage will rise to between 40,000 and 105,000 by the
year 2030. Both the American Medical Association and the Association of
American Medical Colleges warn that ending DACA will exacerbate this
physician shortage in the United States, and they have urged Congress
to pass legislation to protect DREAMers.
Listen to what the AMA says: ``Estimates have shown that the DACA
initiative could help introduce 5,400 previously ineligible physicians
into the U.S. healthcare system in the coming decades to address these
shortages and ensure patient access to care.
``Removing those with DACA status will particularly create care
shortages for rural and other underserved areas. . . . Without these
physicians, the AMA is concerned that the quality of care provided in
these communities would be negatively impacted and that patient access
to care will suffer.''
That is a quote. They are saying there could be as many as 40,000 to
over double that number by 2030, and 5,400 previously ineligible
physicians come to us by making DACA, by passing protection for our
DREAMers, 5,400 previously ineligible physicians. That is quite
remarkable.
So when you see the need and you see the ambition and the vocation
and the dedication, especially to help in underserved areas, it is
quite remarkable.
This is another of Senator Durbin's. He wanted to introduce to the
Senate a DREAMer from Speaker Ryan's home State of Wisconsin. Her name
is Maricela Aguilar.
In 1995, when Maricela was 3 years old, her mother brought her to the
United States with the hope of giving her a chance for a better life.
Maricela's family settled in Milwaukee. Maricela worked hard, and she
excelled in school.
During high school, she was on the honor roll and was a member of the
National Honor Society--we keep hearing that over and over--and captain
of the cross country team. At the same time, Maricela was active in her
community, volunteering at a local homeless shelter.
When it came time to apply for colleges, Maricela knew she wanted to
stay close to her family in the only home she'd ever known, Wisconsin.
She applied to many local schools and was offered a full-tuition
scholarship to Marquette University in Milwaukee.
At Marquette, Maricela was on the dean's list and was a double major
in political science and English literature. She also worked part-time
as a waitress to support herself and her family.
Maricela became involved in advocating for immigration reform. In
December 2010, Maricela was here in the Senate gallery, along with
hundreds of other DREAMers, when the Senate failed to pass the DREAM
Act due to a Republican filibuster.
I remind that, just shortly before that, we passed it in the House.
It got over 50 votes in the Senate, but it did not get to the 60th
vote. She came to raise concerns about the DREAMers again and again.
She graduated with honors in her graduating class. She is now in
graduate school at Brandeis University in Boston. She plans to return
to Milwaukee when she graduates. She wants to become a public
schoolteacher.
Maricela and other DREAMers have so much to contribute to our
country.
Could we use more public schoolteachers like Maricela? I think so.
Would we be a stronger country if we deported her? I don't think so.
So we have another one from Mr. Durbin. Her name is Naomi Florentino.
Her parents brought her to the United States from Mexico when she was
10 years old. Naomi grew up in the town of Smyrna, Tennessee.
Naomi was an excellent student and active in her community. In high
school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, and she
received Student of the Year awards for algebra and art. She served on
the student council and played on the varsity soccer team and the
varsity track and field team. She was also a shot put and discus
thrower.
These people are so accomplished, I just don't know how many hours
they have in the day.
Naomi's dream was to become a robotics engineer. She participated in
the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy and
performed so well that she won the Next Generation Pioneer Award.
She graduated high school with honors, but her immigration status
limited her. She didn't give up. She took mechanical engineering
courses at Lipscomb University in Nashville. She then went to community
college. In the spring, she is graduating with an associate's degree in
mechatronics technology, a field that combines mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, control
engineering, and computer engineering.
Could you do that? Could any of us do that?
Naomi is now working on her bachelor's degree at Middle Tennessee
State University. In her spare time, she is also involved in her
community doing all kinds of wonderful things.
She says: ``DACA has meant the opportunity of a lifetime for my
academic and professional career. As a student at Smyrna High School,
driving past the Nissan plant motivated me to be a better student with
hopes of, one day, being part of a company that is highly regarded in
my community. However, without proper work authorization, that goal
seemed far-fetched. Today, it is a reality for me.''
So, hopefully, we can continue to make that a reality for Naomi
Florentino, and I submit her statement for the Record.
I wish I could excuse my colleagues, but they have all been such
champions on this issue, and their dedication to it is obviously
demonstrated here, as it is with some of those who can't be with us
right now.
This is another story that is about a DREAMer, and I want to tell the
story of how DACA has given one DREAMer the chance to contribute to the
country she loves.
This is Maria Ibarra-Frayre. Maria's parents brought her to the
United States from Mexico at 9 years old. She grew up in Detroit,
Michigan, the heartland. She was an excellent student who was dedicated
to community service.
In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society--you
keep hearing that, Mr. Speaker. I have been here all day, but all day
you have been hearing members of the National Honor Society--Key Club,
and the school newspaper. She volunteered twice a week tutoring middle
school students and performed over 300 hours of community service. She
graduated with a 3.97 GPA and was admitted to the University of
Michigan, but was unable to enroll at Michigan because of her
immigration status.
She entered the University of Detroit Mercy, a private Catholic
school. She was elected vice president of the student senate. She
helped found Campus Kitchen to take leftover meals to the homeless--not
to the homeless, but other people who have a hard time leaving home and
needed meals to be brought to them.
She participated in helping elderly couples, homeless people, et
cetera, and graduated valedictorian of her class. Her options were
limited because of her immigration status.
When she got DACA, she wrote: ``DACA means showing the rest of the
country, society, and my community what I can do. I have always known
what I'm capable of, but DACA has allowed me to show others that the
investment and opportunity that DACA provides is worth it.''
[[Page H952]]
Maria and other DREAMers like her have so much to contribute to our
country.
Will America be a stronger country if we send Maria away? No, I don't
think so, and I think you would agree.
Juan Vargas from California. I acknowledged him earlier. He is here.
Congressman Juan Vargas, 51st Congressional District, would like me to
read a statement from a constituent, former intern, and a DREAMer:
My name is name Jacqueline Olivares. I was brought to the
United States at age 2.
Now, you know, age 2.
I was raised in San Diego and never felt different from
anyone else. I speak the language and know the culture. I
knew I had no papers, but I never really knew what that
meant. I didn't realize the importance of those documents
until I wanted to go to college.
I always knew I wanted to move forward with my education. I
was an avid student in high school and was always encouraged
to apply to universities because I had the grades to compete.
Then my parents told me that it wasn't a possibility. I
realized I was different. I would always ask myself: Why me?
But when DACA was announced in 2012, it gave me relief. I am
proud to call myself a DREAMer.
Jacqueline says:
I am proud to call myself a DREAMer. DACA gave me hope,
opportunity, and motivation, and that won't be taken away.
My name is Jacqueline Olivares, and DREAMers are American,
too.
I thank Mr. Vargas for that.
Another one, from Keith Ellison from Minnesota:
Itzel came to the United States when she was only 15 years old.
Despite initial language difficulties, she worked hard and graduated
from high school with honors. She completed one semester of college
after high school, but economic difficulties forced her to focus on
work instead.
However, when she was granted DACA in 2012, she got a better-paying
job, was able to go back to college, and graduated with honors. The
last 2 years, Itzel has been working for the State of Minnesota as a
senior court clerk. She bought a house and supports her family.
The week before DACA was terminated Itzel applied for a job as a
probation officer, her dream job, a probation officer. But the
elimination of DACA now makes that goal appear impossible.
Itzel was also planning to start a master's degree in criminal
justice next semester. That, too, now seems impossible.
Itzel told me, ``I don't want to go back to dreaming of a better
future. I want to be part of a better future for me, for my family, and
for my country.''
Again and again, for our country.
I thank Mr. Ellison and Itzel.
From Congresswoman Matsui of California, acknowledged earlier, an
unnamed DREAMer from her district says: ``September 1990 my life would
change forever.''
This is her story: ``My family and I had migrated to the United
States.
``The first six years of my life pales in comparison to what I have
been introduced to within a few months of living in the U.S. All I do
know is that my clear, joyful memories started when we moved to
America. I was living in the best country in the world, a place I would
call my home, and yet I didn't even know it.
``Fast-forward 27 years later, and today my family sit here in
deportation proceedings, given 45 days to pack up their lives and
leave. The past few weeks have been the most painful, fearful,
helpless, and hopeless days of my life.''
{time} 1615
``My parents and sisters are being deported, and I most likely have a
few months left before I will be deported as well. I am considered a
DREAMer, probably one of the oldest DREAMers in the United States; had
my oldest sister been eligible, she would have been the oldest of us
DREAMers.
``However, I was the only one of the three to be granted protection
with DACA, and now my family has been ordered to leave the United
States with a 10-year ban on reentry.''
The 10-year ban on reentry--you are probably familiar with this, Mr.
Speaker--this 10-year ban is just deadly.
``I can't separate from my family and have them do this on their own.
My family and I are one cohesive unit--family always stick together,
it's what we believe in, so there is no choice but to go with my
family, to help each other reconstruct what we built here over the last
27 years. At this point, I don't know what to do. What am I supposed to
do? We have exhausted all of our options and met failure at each end.
All I can do is leave it in God's hands, pray for strength and
guidance, and hope my prayers are heard with a miracle.
``I understand that there are those who commit horrible crimes and
shouldn't be given the opportunity to stay. However, for us as a
family, we didn't do anything to harm our country. We went to school,
educated ourselves, had good jobs, pushed our limits, helped others,
are great Samaritans''--there we are with great Samaritan again--``pay
and paid our taxes, and strive to better ourselves and our country and
the community we live in.
``As for my family and I, no matter the distance, no matter the 10-
year ban, no matter what . . . our heart and spirit will always be here
in the United States.''
`` . . . the place I call home. I have spent the majority of my life
here, and it has shaped me into the woman I am now.''
These people are being deported, and that is why we need to have
comprehensive immigration reform to address the bigger issue. But we
can do something today to at least make whole the children.
This is another one, a Sacramento State graduate that Congresswoman
Matsui submitted to us.
She said that DACA gave him peace of mind. He currently holds a
master's degree and plans to pursue a doctoral degree. He wants to work
in the field of education and is worried that the President's decision
to rescind DACA will lead to less people becoming teachers. He said
that he believes ``there is something good in all of us.'' Oswaldo
deserves to continue to fulfill his dreams in his community.
Gustavo, also from Sac State, came to the United States at the age of
7 with his brothers and parents.
He said: ``I am happy to say that my parents' courage and willingness
to risk it all for their children's future was worth it.''
Gustavo recently graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor's in
psychology and a minor in counseling and would like to pursue a
master's degree. Gustavo said: ``We as DREAMers are here to build a
better society, to change the cycle of our family's struggles, to
better ourselves, to help build bridges amongst society and to be
educated individuals with the hunger of striving for a better
tomorrow.''
Another from Congresswoman Matsui. Jesus is a DREAMer and DACA
recipient from Sacramento who was brought to this country by his mother
at the age of 8. He is also a full-time English professor at Sacramento
City College and part-time lecturer at Sacramento State University.
He has devoted himself to the classroom, oftentimes working with
young DREAMers.
He said: ``I am honored to have the opportunity to teach the youth of
my community, to empower the reentry students, and to help improve the
culture of both local campuses who gave me an education.''
Juana from Congresswoman Matsui's district: ``DACA has allowed me to
feel protected from being deported, to feel accepted and acknowledged
in this country we grew up in and love. My DACA status has provided me
the opportunity to pursue my dreams like many other people.
``Thanks to DACA, I was able to work and go to school. I just
recently graduated from Sacramento State, this spring 2017, with my
B.A. in sociology. I graduated from high school in 2006 and had to put
my dreams aside because I was not able to continue my education; but
once I got DACA status, I was able to go to a university. Now that I
just graduated and would like to start my career, it would be horrible
if my status was rescinded.
``I've been in the U.S. for 27 years. I have never left America. I
was born in Mexico but have no clue what it is like. The only place I
know is California. This is my home and all I know.''
From Representative Lofgren, whom I mentioned earlier, who has been
such a champion on the Judiciary Committee on this, a former chair of
the
[[Page H953]]
Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee. She has taught
immigration law. She has been an immigration lawyer. She knows it all.
She has just been a tremendous leader and very dedicated advocate and
champion.
She submits this from Ms. Mandy Lau: ``I wanted to take a moment to
express my frustration with the repeal of DACA. As an educator, I have
seen how DACA has improved the lives of the students and families in
our community here in San Jose. DACA has been a resounding success, and
this administration should not end this crucial program. Nearly 800,000
young men and women have been able to contribute to their communities,
to work, go to school, and to live their lives without fear of being
ripped away from their families and from a country they consider home.
Ms. Lau, Mandy that is, went on to say: ``Recently, I held a crying
student who was disheartened that although she worked hard to maintain
her 4.0 GPA throughout high school, fought stereotypes of gang
affiliation, and resisted negative influences to create better
opportunities for herself and her family, there would also be a
possibility that her dream of attending college would no longer be an
option. She asked me how this was possible in the land of the free, how
quickly an opportunity could be stripped from a person with ambition,
hopes, and dreams. DACA has given these young adults a lifeline and
hope for the future. Ending the program would be devastating for
DREAMers and their families. Without DACA, these 800,000 DREAMers would
be subject to deportation to countries they may not even remember and
no longer able to work legally to support themselves and their
families''--in the place they call home, Mandy says.
``I have spent the majority of my life here. It shaped me into the
woman I am.''
So I thank the lady very much. These are beautiful, beautiful
statements from some of these DACA recipients, from our DREAMers, but
it is even beyond those who are recipients.
Two brothers, Jhon Magdaleno and Nelson, his brother. Let me tell you
about Nelson and Jhon. These brothers came to the United States from
Venezuela when Nelson was 11 and Jhon was 9. They are both honor
students at Lakeside High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Here is a picture
of Nelson.
Jhon served with distinction in the Air Force Junior Officer Reserve
Corps. He was the fourth highest ranking in a 175-cadet unit and
commander of the Air Honor Society in his unit. Here is a picture of
Jhon in his ROTC uniform.
They went on to both become honor students at Georgia Tech
University--Nelson in computer engineering, Jhon in biomedical
engineering with a 4.0. In 2012, he graduated from Georgia Tech with
honors.
Do you understand being graduated with honors from Georgia Tech in
computer engineering, and Jhon in a biomedical engineering major from
Georgia Tech, and they have 3.6 GPA and 4.0 GPA? Thanks to DACA, they
have been working as computer engineers for a Fortune 500 semiconductor
company.
Jhon received DACA in 2012, while he was still a student at Georgia
Tech. He then worked for 2 years as a researcher in a biomedical
engineering lab at Georgia Tech researching glaucoma, a leading cause
of blindness. In 2014, Jhon graduated from Georgia Tech with a major in
chemical and biological engineering with highest honors--highest honors
in chemical and biological engineering from Georgia Tech. He is now
working as a process engineer with a Fortune 500 company, too.
Both have written letters. Nelson wrote: ``To me, DACA means an
opportunity to be able to live my dreams and contribute to society in
ways that I could not have imagined. DACA means that one of my life
goals, owning my own company, could be a possibility in the future.
DACA means a chance. DACA means the American Dream.''
Jhon wrote: ``I consider an American to be someone who loves and
wholeheartedly dedicates themselves to the development of this country.
From age 9, I have made the United States my home, and it has made me
the man I am today. I proudly call myself an American.''
As I read some of these stories, you hear a recurring theme. Again,
it is a theme about honoring the vows of our Founders for a new order
for the ages that every generation would take the responsibility to
make the future better for future generations. That is exactly what the
families of these DREAMers did.
Family members took risks, had courage, hope, optimism, and
determination to make the future better for their families. Doing that
for their families, they were doing that for America, too.
You see such a similarity to previous generations. I see it as an
Italian American--education, education, education, the key to upward
mobility. Talent, talent, talent, but not underutilized; educated to
reach its full potential to reach the aspirations of these young people
to do so in a way that is about giving back.
What you see here is what our families were all about that had come
before, that idealism and hope springs in optimism and aspirations of
immigrants coming to our country. That is why I always say that we are
a great country because we are constantly reinvigorated by immigrants
coming to our country. Their courage and commitment to the American
Dream which drew them here in the first place strengthens the American
Dream.
These newcomers with all of that hope and aspiration make America
more American when they come here. That is why our country will not
stagnate. That is why our country will continue to blossom, to respect
our traditions, our past, and our sense of community.
In every one of these letters there is gratitude back to the United
States for what it has done for these people. There is no sense of
entitlement. It is all about working hard and paying back. That is why
if we can just do this piece which has urgency to it because it has a
timetable that the President has put forth, just doing this piece would
be the smart thing to do, to find a solution that then builds trust in
a bipartisan way with transparency and openness as to what it actually
is about. That is why we want people to know this is who these people
are. That is why they are called DREAMers. That is why the name has
persisted.
We have been the country of the American Dream forever. Yes, I agree
with the President. We are all DREAMers in America. This is part of the
future. Of course, I think of my grandchildren as the future. They
didn't have to face the struggles that these young people are facing.
God bless them for their courage to make the struggle, but it is,
again, faith, family, faith in the future, faith in America, faith in
themselves, faith which gives people hope, hope because they have faith
in the kindness of others. Faith, hope, charity, and hope is right
there in the middle.
I think that people who have hope, much of it springs from their
faith, and these clearly are people of great faith. That is why the
Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes them. That is why the
evangelical community speaks so clearly and passionately about the need
to protect them.
These are precious gems. They are absolutely outstanding, and they
write their stories so eloquently that nothing any of us can say about
the subject is to even compare to the power of their stories.
For example, Johana was brought to the United States from Venezuela
when she was a child. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado. She played in
her high school softball team, played viola in the orchestra, and
dreamed of becoming a doctor.
Here is what Johana said about her childhood: ``I've become a
Boulderite in all aspects of that word. That town, with those beautiful
mountains, is truly my home.'' In 2011, Johana graduated from the
University of Colorado at Boulder with a double major in molecular,
cellular, and developmental biology and psychology neuroscience.
They are so talented. But after graduating from college, Johana was
unable to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor because she was
undocumented. Then in 2012, with DACA, she heard that Loyola University
in Chicago would accept students who had received DACA into its medical
schools. I thank Loyola University and the University of Chicago.
Like many States across the country, Illinois faces a shortage of
physicians in some communities. The Loyola University DACA program sees
this as an opportunity to address the problem. The State of Illinois
has created a
[[Page H954]]
DACA loan program. Under this program, Loyola DACA med students can
receive loans to help cover the cost of their medical education. For
every year of loans, the DACA student must work a year in a medically
underserved area in Illinois--again giving back.
{time} 1630
Last fall, Johana went to med school at Loyola. After graduating, she
will stay in Illinois and help serve parts of Illinois that have a
shortage of doctors.
This is, of course, one of Senator Durbin's constituents.
Here is what Johana had to say: ``When the year 2012 came along, my
life changed. My dreams of becoming a doctor became a possibility again
because of DACA. I am now able to apply to medical internship programs,
take the medical school entrance exam, and apply to medical school, all
because of my DACA status. DACA has defined my path. DACA has relit a
fire within to succeed and to continue to pursue my dreams.''
Will America be a stronger country if we deport Johana? I don't think
so.
This is Everardo Arias. Everardo was brought to the United States
from Mexico in 1997 when he was 7 years old.
Just imagine these adorable children.
He grew up in Costa Mesa, California, and was an excellent student.
He dreamed of becoming a doctor.
A doctor, again.
It was not until he applied to college that Everardo learned that he
was undocumented. He was accepted at the University of California,
Riverside, but because of his immigration status, however, Everardo
didn't qualify for any Federal assistance.
When Everardo was a sophomore, he met with a counselor, who told him
he had no chance of becoming a doctor because he was undocumented. But
Everardo didn't give up on his dream. In 2012, he graduated from the
University of California, Riverside with a chemistry major and research
honors.
Shortly after he graduated, DACA was established. He received DACA.
He worked for a year as a mentor for at-risk students in his hometown
of Costa Mesa. The following year, through AmeriCorps, he worked as a
health educator with several local clinics. He gave classes to hundreds
of people in both English and Spanish on topics ranging from diabetes
to family nutrition to depression.
During his year as a health educator, he applied and was accepted in
medical school. He is currently in his first year at the Loyola
University Chicago School of Medicine. In his free time, he volunteers
at a local clinic. He takes time to teach medical Spanish to some of
his classmates.
Here is what he had to say about DACA:
``DACA changed my life. It opened the door to the future ahead of me.
If it weren't for DACA, I would not be here and I probably would not
have pursued medicine. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to do what I
love to do and to give back to the country that has given me so much.''
Will America be a stronger country if we deport Everardo Arias and
others like him? Of course not.
This is from Congresswoman Diana DeGette, who is with us. This is her
story from Colorado:
Marco Dorado was born in Mexico and moved to Denver's Globeville
neighborhood at the age of 3. After attending Thornton High School as a
student in the International Baccalaureate program, Marco attended the
University of Colorado Boulder and graduated as student body president
with a degree in finance.
During his time at University of Colorado, Marco received DACA, which
has allowed him to begin his professional career while contributing
back to his community. Currently, Marco is the program coordinator for
the Latino Leadership Institute at the University of Denver.
It is a beautiful story, once again demonstrating not only a
commitment to education, but a commitment to give back, become doctors,
whatever, but leadership. Every one of these has leadership, whether it
is leadership in the student government, leadership in community
activity, leadership on the sports field, leadership in every possible
way in extracurricular activities and the rest. Certainly, Marco has
demonstrated that trait typical of our DREAMers.
We have been joined by Ted Lieu from California and Ms. Bordallo from
Guam. I think we have acknowledged so many Members who have come and
gone. I thank them all for their ongoing support of our DREAMers.
This is from an unknown DREAMer to Brad Sherman. It says: ``I am
writing this letter to you because I am fearful of what might happen
next. I am a Canadian who was brought here when I was 11 years old. I
am 28 now and DACA has allowed me to come out of the shadows.''
You hear that expression, ``come out of the shadows.''
``I have worked hard my whole life. I am a senior at UCLA majoring in
civil engineering. I am an engineering intern at the City of Stanton,
and I also work at an animal emergency hospital on weekends. I often
time go weeks where I do not have a day off.''
I love this recurring animal assistance, too, that we hear.
``All I ask for is a fair shake, and with this new administration, I
fear I won't be given that. I am not a criminal. I am not a danger to
my community, nor am I someone trying to take advantage of public
benefits. I am a victim to a situation I had no say over. I want to do
my share: pay taxes, inspire others, and any other help I can provide.
``Congressman, thank you for your time and for listening.''
I thank Brad for submitting this enthusiastic statement from an
unknown DREAMer from his district, a Canadian.
This is from Ted Lieu. I thank him for being here.
To Ted Lieu, a testimonial from Representative Lieu's district:
My name is Nicole, and I am a student at UCLA. My parents
brought me to the United States when I was 3 years old.
For the 16 years that I have lived in the United States, I
grew up like any other U.S. citizen. I finished my K-12
schooling, and I volunteered around my community.
For my first year of college, I was fortunate enough to
receive a substantial amount of financial aid from both UCLA
and the California Dream Act. This aid alleviated my
parents from the fiscal burden of paying for college.
Although my tuition was covered, my parents still had to
pay out of pocket to cover the expense of living on campus.
The scholarship money I received for my sophomore year was
steadily decreased, which means there was more pressure on my
parents to keep up with the growing cost.
To lighten this load, I acquired a full-time summer job. I
have become dependent on my job and my paycheck to pay off my
school, but how do I remain debt free if DACA is rescinded?
Terminating DACA would turn my world upside down, it will
undo the progress I have made at UCLA and challenge my access
to higher education.
Nicole goes on to say:
Although I am grateful for the opportunities I have been
given under DACA, like a Social Security number and relief
from deportation, I cannot reconcile that the very government
I one day hope to work for continues to exclude me from
living the American Dream.
The President and U.S. legislators need to look beyond
their biases and stand up for the children who have
continuously pledged allegiance to the only country they have
ever called home.
I thank Ted Lieu for Nicole's beautiful story.
Mr. Lieu also submitted testimony from Martin. Martin says, Mr.
Speaker:
My name is Martin and I grew up in an undocumented
household. When I was in grade school, I loved listening to
the news with my father. It became a daily routine to tune in
to Univision or television after both of our days of work.
It was extremely difficult for me to comprehend many issues
discussed on mainstream news, mainly because I generally
didn't understand the content. However, one particular word
was mentioned almost every day, ``deportation.''
I had asked my father what it meant, but he refused to
answer, and so did my mother. After hearing the cold, hard
truth from my teacher in grade school, I felt vulnerable for
the first time in my life.
As I grew older, I became more and more concerned. I walked
to school every day worried that my parents might
unexpectedly be taken away from me.
How many times have we heard that story?
Two hardworking parents that had lived and contributed to
this country for more than 30 years might be forcibly removed
from the United States. Now, I have never felt more fearful
for the future of my family.
That word ``fear'' is terrifying, tears in the eyes of the Statue of
Liberty, fear in the hearts of people who should be able to just make
their contribution to our country.
[[Page H955]]
Hakeem Jeffries submits this testimony from Ashelle.
Let me just once again thank my colleagues for being here. I wish you
could be reading these stories. I feel very privileged to be reading so
many of them, but the rules are that I cannot yield on the special 1
minute.
This is Ashelle King's story: ``I came to the United States from St.
Lucia in the Caribbean at the age of 7, and I've been living in
Brooklyn for 16 years. I currently attend Baruch College, where I pay
tuition out of my pocket by working because I am not eligible for
certain types of aid for school.
``I am studying computer information systems and political science,
and I want to apply my studies to help people. I try to be involved in
the community, which is why I interned in Mr. Jeffries' office.''
I again thank Mr. Jeffries for this testimony.
``I felt like Mr. Jeffries had a real connection with the people, and
I wanted to learn how I can assist and give back in that regard.
Hopefully, I will be graduating in the spring. I don't want to be
fearful of not graduating or of leaving school because DACA ends.
``Fixing DACA is important to me because I would not have been able
to work if it weren't for DACA. Because I have a working permit, I am
able to pay for school and be exposed to more things in the U.S. You
know, I've been here since a very young age, so I don't know much about
St. Lucia. I grew up in Brooklyn. I know more about Brooklyn, and I
want to stay here.''
I know that is music to the ears of Hakeem Jeffries, who is always
bragging about Brooklyn. And, by the way, so is the Democratic leader
in the Senate. Mr. Schumer is always singing the praises of Brooklyn.
This is from Mr. Durbin. This is Pablo da Silva.
Pablo was brought to the United States from Brazil in 2001, when he
was 13 years old. He grew up in New Jersey. Here is what Pablo has to
say about his childhood:
``The same as every other kid growing up in the U.S., I attended
middle school, pledged allegiance to the American flag, and sang the
national anthem. As I grew older, I came to understand that one thing
about me differed from my classmates. I was undocumented. However, my
parents always taught me to see barriers as a measure of perseverance
and an opportunity to thrive.''
Pablo was an excellent student. He dreamed of becoming a doctor.
During high school and college, Pablo volunteered at a nursing home
every week. He also was a member of a group called Doctor Red Nose.
Pablo and other members of the group would dress up as clowns and visit
hospitals and nursing homes to cheer up patients and healthcare
providers.
Pablo was accepted at Rutgers University, but because he was
undocumented, he didn't qualify financially.
You have heard that sentence over and over.
And although he grew up in New Jersey, he would have been required to
pay out-of-state tuition. As a result, Pablo couldn't afford to attend
Rutgers and instead enrolled in community college. Because he had taken
college courses when he was in high school, Pablo was able to complete
a 2-year associate's degree in only 1 year.
With his associate's degree, Pablo was able to transfer to Kean
University in New Jersey. In 2011, Pablo graduated at the top of his
class with a major in biology, summa cum laude. He received an award
for the highest grade point average in the biology department. He was
on the dean's list every semester of college and was a member of the
honor society Phi Kappa Phi.
After graduating from college, he was unable to pursue his dream of
becoming a doctor. Instead, he worked in a variety of manual labor
jobs. Then, in 2012, President Obama established DACA. Pablo heard that
Loyola University of Chicago accepts students that receive DACA.
Like many States across the country, Illinois faces a shortage of
physicians in some communities. Loyola University's DACA program is an
opportunity to address this problem.
I have described this problem again and again, but let me say the
State of Illinois has created a DACA loan program. Under this program,
Loyola's DACA med students can receive loans to cover the costs of
their medical education. For every year of loan, the students must work
for a year in a medically underserved area in Illinois.
I said that earlier, but I just want people to know how creative
people have become in not only helping educate, alleviate the cost, but
serve the community.
As a result, some of the best and brightest students in the country
have come to Loyola to get a medical education. They will stay in
Illinois to help serve parts of the State that have a shortage of
doctors.
{time} 1645
And then more on Pablo. Last fall, Pablo da Silva began med school at
Loyola. He is pursuing his dream to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
This is what he had to say: ``DACA has allowed me to fulfill my long-
lasting aspiration to pursue a career in medicine. It has truly changed
my future, and for that, I'm truly grateful. I'm eager to contribute my
share to the country I call my own.''
Thank you, Pablo.
This is Karen Villagomez. Karen was brought to the United States when
she was only 2 years old. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She is an
outstanding student and interested in public service. In May 2012,
Karen graduated from the University of Rochester in New York with a
major in political science. She is the first person in her family to
graduate from a 4-year college.
Just 1 month after she graduated, President Obama announced the DACA
program. After she received DACA, Karen found a job as a paralegal in a
law firm in Chicago, where she has been working for the last 2 years.
This fall, she will begin law school.
How about that?
But if the House of Representatives have--if we could pass this bill,
she would be able to attend law school and become an attorney. Instead,
she could be deported back to Mexico, a country she hasn't lived in
since she was a toddler.
Here is what Karen had to say: ``DACA represents the values and
heritage of this country of immigrants; it was the right thing to do,
and it has changed my life by replacing fear with hope. This executive
action gave me an overwhelming sense of relief and hope. It lifted me
from the shadows.''
I just want to repeat her first sentence: ``DACA represents the
values and heritage of this country of immigrants; it was the right
thing to do, and it has changed my life by replacing fear with hope.''
Now, will America be strong if Karen is deported?
No, I don't think so.
This one is from Representative Foster. Mr. Foster is also from
Illinois, and this was his State of the Union guest, Ana Campa
Castillo. She is a student at Joliet Junior College in Joliet,
Illinois. Ana is a graduate of Bolingbrook High School and is currently
pursuing an associate's degree in psychology at Joliet Junior College.
She serves as the vice president of Latinos Unidos, one of the largest
student organizations.
I had the occasion to meet her when Representative Foster brought her
to the State of the Union. I wish more Members of Congress could meet
more of these DREAMers.
Aren't you impressed by the cumulative effect that they are making on
our country, each of them with their individual contribution to the
greatness of America?
So exciting. I am so proud of them.
Representative Polis' State of the Union guest was Anarely, a student
at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She was a guest of
Jared Polis. Anarely was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and came to the
United States when she was a young child. Her family stayed in Colorado
to care for her grandmother, who suffered from breast cancer.
Anarely has flourished in Colorado, graduating high school with a 4.3
GPA, where she participated in Reserve Officers' Training Corps. She
went on to thrive at Colorado State University, triple majoring in
political science, ethnic studies, and international relations.
I thank Representative Polis and Representative Foster for their very
distinguished guests at the State of the Union address.
I did mention to the President, when I welcomed him to the Capitol,
that we
[[Page H956]]
had many DREAMers and supporters of DREAMers in the audience here, also
supporters of fairness for Mexico. So I hope we are doing better as far
as our negotiations go in terms of Puerto Rico.
I see we have been joined by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier from
California. Thank you for being here, Mark, as well.
Arisaid Gonzalez Porras was a guest of Raul Grijalva. Arisaid came to
the United States in 2000 from Mexico and currently resides in Arizona.
That is the State that Raul Grijalva represents in Congress.
Arisaid is a freshman at Georgetown University. As a first-generation
student, she relied on the help of counselors and teachers to help
apply to college. Growing up undocumented, she lived in fear of what
would happen to her and her family. In her first semester in college,
Arisaid has become more outspoken about her status as a DACA recipient
and became an advocate for the rights of the undocumented youth.
As a student with the privilege to go to school right in the center
of politics, she plans to continue her advocacy until Congress passes
DREAMers legislation.
Hopefully, Arisaid, that will be very soon.
Here are some testimonies from other Members of Congress. Leticia
Herrera-Mendez is a student at California State University, San
Bernardino she was a guest of Congressman Pete Aguilar from California
at the State of the Union address. Congressman Aguilar is a cosponsor
with Congressman Hurd from Texas of the legislation that has strong
bipartisan support in the Congress and one bill that we would hope that
the Speaker would give us an opportunity to vote on the floor of the
House. I thank Congressman Aguilar.
Leticia Herrera-Mendez was born in Mexico and arrived in the United
States at the age of 8. She is a DREAMer and a student at California
State University, San Bernardino.
In June 2019, she will obtain a bachelor's degree in sociology and
two certificates, one in Spanish public services and another in social
services. She is committed to helping and spreading awareness about the
Latino community. She is an immigrant activist and is the vice
president of the student organization, Undocumented Advocates at Cal
State University, San Bernardino, where she advocates for the rights of
undocumented immigrants.
Her work and dedication to her community has granted her the
opportunity to serve as the California delegat for Fuerza Migrante
National Political Group and student assistant of the Undocumented
Student Success Center at CSUSB.
Again, leadership, leadership, leadership. Education, leadership, how
beautiful.
Leslie Martinez is a student at UC Irvine, and she was a guest of
Congressman Lou Correa at the State of the Union. Leslie Martinez is a
freshman in college who is passionate about her studies. She was
brought to the United States at the age of 2. Growing up, she was alone
most of the time due to her parents always working, but this allowed
her to become independent at a very young age.
She found out she was undocumented during middle school, when she was
trying to apply for a scholarship but needed a Social Security number.
Luckily, DACA came around during her high school years, opening several
opportunities for her, such as an internship at UCI Medical Center,
where she--that would be University of California, Irvine--where she
was able to shadow medical professionals, and it opened up her love for
the medical field.
DACA also made her college application a smooth process. Now she is a
freshman in college and is passionate about, again, her studies. She
attends the University of California, Irvine, and is majoring in
chemistry. Leslie hopes to attend medical school after college in hopes
of becoming a general surgeon or a pediatrician.
Again, doctors, doctors, doctors. Maybe she could find out about
Loyola University School of Medicine. Maybe she will have many more
options by then, hopefully, when we pass this legislation.
Karen Bahena was a State of the Union guest of Congressman Scott
Peters. Karen lived in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, for 8 years, until
2001, when her family migrated to San Diego. Thanks to DACA, Karen has
been able to graduate college with a degree in public health and
nutrition at San Diego State University, find work as a research
coordinator at the University of California, San Diego, and pursue her
dreams in the field of medicine. She hopes to one day help
underprivileged communities with healthcare needs.
God bless you, Karen.
Again, another example, universally, giving back, giving back, giving
back.
State of the Union guest of Judy Chu, Jung Bin Cho and his family
immigrated to the United States when he was 7 years old from South
Korea. Thanks to DACA, Jung Bin Cho was able to work and save money
that allowed him to graduate from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's
degree in business information technology. Currently, he is an
Immigrant Rights Fellow at the National Korean American Service &
Education Consortium--this is quite an acronym, NAKASEC, National
Korean American Service & Education Consortium--organizing and
advocating for economic, social, and racial justice for all, with a
focus on Asian American and Pacific Coast Islander communities. His
dream is to attend law school in order to help his community in
Virginia.
Thank you, Jung.
The guest of Gerry Connolly, Nicolle Uria, she spoke at our press
conference that we had before the State of the Union. I made a joke
with Gerry Connolly because somebody there referenced him as
Congressman Cannoli. So I welcomed him with great pride of being an
Italian American, but he is Connolly.
Nicolle moved to the United States from La Paz, Bolivia, at the age
of 1 with both of her parents and her sisters. For her entire life, she
has lived here. The United States is her home. Nicolle grew up living
the American Dream just like any other American citizen. She celebrated
the same traditions, ate the same food, enjoyed from the same
activities as any of my other friends. Throughout her education, she
has always been a good student and always very active with not just
school activities, but also with the community. She has been a Girl
Scout since the age of 4, she has played both soccer and volleyball for
many years, and now as a high school student. Nicolle spent many hours
volunteering in the community and getting involved with organizations
such as the DREAM Project, LULAC, UnidosUS, and many more. After
finding out that she was undocumented, she thought all her hard work
and effort was for nothing. But then, thanks to President Obama, she
was able to apply for DACA.
And she told her story very brilliantly at our press conference
before the State of the Union.
Really, if you could hear them tell their own stories, there is a
great humility about conveying their stories to you. Because when you
see them and they tell their stories and the passion and the pride and
just the patriotism--passion, pride, patriotism--that they demonstrate,
you will see why anyone, who has had the wonderful experience of being
in conversation or observing our DREAMers, understands why they have
had such a high reputation among the American people: some of them who
have met them, some of them who have heard about them, some of them who
have just caught the spark, recognize, again, the hard work ethic, the
commitment to education, to community service, to faith, to family, to
the United States of America. It is a beautiful thing. It just isn't,
let's take a small number of people and try to do something with it.
This is something very, very special, and it says a lot about our
country to be able to give protection in a way that has some certainty
to our DREAMers.
Itayu Torres is a student at Pasadena City College. She was a guest
at the State of the Union of Congressman Jimmy Gomez.
Itayu Torres came to the United States from Mexico as a 6-month-old
baby.
She was completely carried into this country.
She learned she was undocumented when she was 14 years old and, in
2014, became eligible to apply for DACA. Earning DACA protections has
allowed Itayu to access a government-issued ID
[[Page H957]]
card, work authorization, healthcare and protection from deportation.
With DACA, Itayu had the opportunity to travel across the country. She
is currently studying political science and business at Pasadena City
College and plans to continue her education at Hood College in
Frederick, Maryland.
A wonderful school.
Itayu was part of the California Dream Network Steering Committee and
one day hopes to run for a seat in the United States Senate.
You go, girl. United States Senate. Why not President? Well, she
wasn't born here, so she can't be President of the United States.
Again, Gabriela Hernandez was a State of the Union guest of our great
Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.
Gabriela, 19, is a college student at Prince George's Community
College. She came here with her mother from El Salvador at the age of
4. Her goal is to transfer to a four-year university in the fall, study
to be a social worker, and just have an opportunity to thrive. She has
lived her entire life in this country, having attended schools in
Prince George's County since kindergarten. Because many family members
already live here, she doesn't have a lot of family left in her home
country.
The country she came from is El Salvador. And the situation probably
has only gotten worse there since she came.
In any event, I thank Mr. Hoyer for giving us her story.
{time} 1700
Mr. Frank Pallone, who spent a lot of time with us, it seems like 6
or 7 hours ago, in the beginning of this, he was with us early in the
presentation, and his guest at the State of the Union was Esder Chong,
a student at Rutgers University-Newark.
When Esder was 6 years old, she and her family immigrated to the
States from South Korea. Unfortunately, after the 2008 economic
recession, her mom lost her position working at a hospital and they
lost their legal status. Esder first realized the implications of
having an undocumented status when her mom got into a bike accident. It
was an emergency situation and she needed treatment. However, because
they were uninsured, she treated herself through home remedies and
prayer. Fast forward one decade, Esder is now a sophomore at Rutgers
University-Newark on a full ride thanks to private, external
scholarships and donors, including thedream.us and twenty others. She
currently serves as the founder/president of RU Dreamers, a Rutgers
University-Newark student organization that advocates for undocumented
students' rights to higher education. Esder is also a student-athlete
competing for the Rutgers University-Newark cross country/track and
field team and the news editor for Rutgers University-Newark Newark
newspaper, the Observer.
How many hours does Esder have in a day? I would like to know.
I want to talk about my own guest at the State of the Union. I am so
proud of her. Melody Klingenfuss. She is a statewide organizer for
CHIRLA's California Dream Network. I am so proud of them. And Angelica
Salas heads up the organization. They have done so much to protect our
DREAMers to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.
Melody was at our press conference. I am proud of her.
Melody was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. After growing up
without pardons, she was reunited with her mother in the heart of Los
Angeles when she was 9 years old.
Can you just imagine.
She earned her bachelor's degree in communications and political
science at California State University, Los Angeles. She graduated with
a master of nonprofit leadership and management from the University of
Southern California. She has conducted a research thesis focused on the
representation of undocumented students in mass communication. Melody
works as CHIRLA's California Dream Network statewide youth organizer as
a devoted advocate for human and immigration rights. She is a DACA
recipient since 2015. Her life goal is to continue bending the arc of
the moral universe towards justice.
I just got word that the House Historian confirmed: ``You have now
set the record for the longest continuous speech in the House since at
least 1909.'' I wonder what that was.
This is Congresswoman Watson Coleman, who spent so much time with us
here today. I want to read from her testimony. Parthiv Patel from Mount
Laurel, New Jersey.
Parthiv is a DREAMer who has been in the DACA program since 2012 and
graduated from Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law in May
2016.
Parthiv was brought to the United States when he was 5 years old and
has lived in the United States continuously since then.
He was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar on January 24, 2018.
Congratulations, Parthiv.
He was previously admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar on December
18, 2017. He is the first DREAMer admitted to the New Jersey and
Pennsylvania bars.
When Parthiv's DACA status expires on August 9, 2018, he could be
deported from the only country he knows and ripped away from his
family. Even if he is not picked up for deportation, without work
authorization or legal status, his employment options and his ability
to put his law degree to use serving the community will also be
substantially limited.
Parthiv wants to make sure White House Chief of Staff Kelly knows
that he is far from lazy--he should just look at his college and law
school records.
Thank you, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman.
This is from Congresswoman Susan Davis from California. This is the
story of her constituent, Itso. Itso says:
I just graduated from high school 3 days before Deferred
Action on DACA arrivals was announced, and already been
accepted to San Diego State University. I wasn't sure if I
would be able to afford going to college. But there is some
uncertainty in applying for DACA, but it was a risk worth
taking.
After DACA, I was very enthusiastic to be able to work,
serve my community, and attend San Diego State University. I
graduated this year with a political science degree.
As a border resident, I have seen the toll that harsh
immigration enforcement has taken in my community. Many
times, in the midst of the rhetoric, we lose sight of the
real impact that harsh enforcement has on the lives of
hardworking families. My work with the community is deeply
rewarding. I have been part of helping thousands of San
Diegans, and I have also seen the suffering that many
families have to go through because there are failed and
inhumane immigration policies.
I remain fully committed to continuing to serve my
community and ensure that we continue to build a movement
that affords immigrants, refugees, and citizens alike the
right to live with dignity in the United States.
How beautiful. These statements themselves are so beautiful.
I don't know who made that speech in 1909, or other speeches competed
for the longest in the meantime, that was not my goal today.
But we have so many testimonies, real testimony in the words of the
DREAMers, as I say, the most eloquent of all.
I did ask my staff to say that when I came to the floor earlier, I
wanted to make sure that we were filling our 40 hours between 8 this
morning and tomorrow night with the words to convince or the prayers to
inspire. So I thought when I came to the floor, I would be like reading
the Bible, because the Bible is so fraught with so many passages that
take us to a higher place to have a conversation about human beings,
all of God's children, at a higher place.
Again, referencing the 40 days in the Old Testament, the 40 years in
the desert in the New Testament, the 40 days, the Gospel of Matthew,
which is so, so beautiful in terms of its inspiration.
But I know that many people quote the Gospel of Matthew many times.
But they always just quote the first part where they talk about when I
was hungry. In the Gospel of Matthew, most people know when a person
comes before the Lord, he says: We have a place for you in Heaven, for
when I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me a drink,
when I was naked, you clothed me, when I was in prison, you visited me.
That whole list of corporal works of mercy.
And then the person says: When did I do this, Lord, I didn't see you?
And then the Lord says: When you did this for the least of my brethren,
you did it for me.
Okay, I am just going to read it right from the Bible here. So that
was the
[[Page H958]]
first part. But the very first part of it is:
``But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with
Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be
gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep
on His right, the goats on His left.
``Then the King will say to those on His right''--the King being the
Lord, the Son of Man--`` `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take
your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of
the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you
looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the
righteous will answer Him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed
you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did
we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply,
`Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.''
This is the part that I really find challenging and we should all pay
attention to.
``Then He will say to those on His left, `Depart from me, you who are
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me
in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in
prison and you did not look after me.' They will also answer, `Lord,
when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes
or sick or in prison and did not help you?' He will reply, `Truly I
tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you
did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but
the righteous to eternal life.''
So it is not just what we do to take the opportunity to help and feed
and clothe, it is what we do not do that the judgment was made about.
Opportunities missed.
As I said earlier, to minister to the needs of God's creation--and we
are all God's creation--is an act of worship. To ignore those needs is
to dishonor the God who made us. Very clear in the Gospel of Matthew.
As people of faith, as we all profess to be, and we believe--I mean,
a faith is a gift, but we do believe that we are all God's children--
whatever we are, we are all, whatever it is. We are all God's children,
we are all created in the image and likeness of God, we all carry a
spark of divinity. When Christ came down from Heaven to participate in
our humanity, He enabled us to participate in His divinity, that spark.
So we respect it in people, but we have to also recognize it in
ourselves and the responsibility it carries with us.
So I choose to go back to a place where we had a much better
reception all over Washington, D.C., for loving the DREAMers and
wanting to get the job done for them. Because in addressing their
needs, we are talking about who we are as a nation.
I have another statement from Bonnie Watson Coleman. It was her
birthday yesterday, so she will have about two or three statements
today. She talks about the Velez sisters from Burlington, New Jersey.
The Velez sisters came to the United States at 4 and 9 years old,
respectively, with their father fleeing the Chavez regime in Venezuela.
Daniela has earned two associates' degrees in engineering and
business administration from Rowan College in New Jersey. She is now
pursuing an undergraduate degree in business administration at Rutgers
Business School while she works full time for the New Jersey Business
and Industry Association.
Daniela also cofounded a business that sells take-home kits for
physics labs in Rowan College.
How many of us could do that?
The kits allow students who can't attend college lab courses to take
an online version at home.
Alex is awaiting word this spring on college acceptance at Camden
County College, with her dreams to be a vet-tech. But without valid
DACA status, Alex won't be able to legally drive, attend the vet-tech
program, or work. Alex said in an article with CNN: ``In all honesty,
it is scary to think about leaving,'' she said. ``My mom cried for the
first time since we talked about our situation. She's a positive person
and is hoping that something good will happen for us.''
{time} 1715
Unfortunately, if the President doesn't extend DACA protections, they
said they will be forced to leave. Daniela recently told CNN: ``If DACA
ends, I will leave with Alex. I will close my business, leave work and
school.''
That is why we have to pass a bill, and that is why I would hope that
the Speaker of the House would honor the House he is Speaker of by
giving us a chance to vote on a DREAMer bill, a bipartisan DREAMer bill
on the floor of the House.
Carolyn Maloney is with us. I thank her for this testimony. It is
about Diego de la Vega. Diego is a DREAMer who is an intern in
Congresswoman Maloney's office and was the Congresswoman's guest at the
State of the Union. Here is his story.
``Our family history traces generations of Ecuadorians since the
early decades of the republic. Immigration was not common for us, and
my parents and grandparents endured great periods of political
instability and bleak futures. In 1999, at the age of 6, following an
economic crash, hyperinflation, and a coup d'etat, my mother began
making plans to move to the United States.
``By August 2001, I arrived in New York City, and we settled in
Queens. I was quickly enrolled in public school. I learned English
within a year, and I blended in with the rest of the children. But I
was always aware of my status, and I quickly learned how long and how
extremely difficult any real immigration reform in Congress would be.
By 2011, at 17 and after another fresh defeat of the DREAM Act, I faced
the devastating feeling of being denied the opportunity of accepting
scholarships and student loans that effectively denied my shot at the
colleges of my choice. Yet I continued, attended Hunter College where
all I wanted to do was study government and politics.
``Shortly afterwards, President Obama's announcement of DACA was
almost miraculous. I thought I could finally step out of the shadows,
no longer with fear but with excitement. I then entered the workforce
immediately and found myself employment in one of the leader wine
retailers in the country, where I still work today. I also entered an
internship with the district office of Congresswoman Maloney, which
further cemented my belief that good government is one that helps
people. The high cost of living in New York and the strains of paying
tuition out-of-pocket still brought great challenges, but with DACA I
felt that anything was possible.
``Now that DACA is on its last breaths, I have no doubt that the
courage and hope it has given us will carry us on until we all take our
oath of allegiance.''
So beautiful. Thank you, Diego de la Vega.
From Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, another proud Brooklyn
Representative. She was here before, but I thank Congresswoman Clarke.
Joel Perez Hernandez is a New York public school graduate and proud
New Yorker whose parents brought him to Brooklyn as a young child. In
September 2015, his Deferred Action was expiring. He set an appointment
to renew his status and was beginning to save his money to pay for the
associated fees.
Around this time, a small family emergency arose among his mother and
her family in Mexico. With a fatal misunderstanding of the protections
afforded by DACA, he and his family decided he was in the best position
to travel to Mexico and still be allowed to return to the United
States.
Unfortunately, he and his family did not have a strong understanding
of how our immigration system currently works. As a result, 2 years
after the Senate voted to protect DREAMers, Joel is now stuck in
Mexico, a country that he does not know, with his girlfriend and life
partner, Ambien, an American citizen.
[[Page H959]]
Joel had no intention to break our immigration laws and would never
have been in this position if this body had simply done its job back in
2013. Joel's story illustrates the cost of our decisions and reminds us
why we must take action now to protect DREAMers.
This is not an unusual thing where there are family emergencies or a
death in the family across the border or something and people don't
fully understand that just going for that just destroys--under current
law, makes it very hard for them to come back.
This is from Representative Cardenas, who was with us earlier. I
thank him for being with us earlier. This is a letter to him from a
graduate student:
``I am a current graduate student at the University of Southern
California School of Social Work. As part of my curriculum, I am taking
a class on policy and advocacy where I am doing a project on a piece of
legislation. My focus for this project is on immigration, particularly
on the newly introduced bill known as the BRIDGE Act, which will expand
DACA for 3 years.
``As an undocumented student, I am worried about my future here in
the United States. I came to the United States at age 9, in 2001. I
graduated with a B.A.''--bachelor of arts--``in sociology, with a minor
in Women's Studies from Cal State Northridge in 2015. Thanks to DACA, I
have been able to achieve my dreams of obtaining higher education as
well as to be able to work here legally.''
That is so important, to get an education, to work legally to serve
in the military.
``Having lived and attended public school all my life here, I don't
know any other country I can call home.
``I had a very supportive system during my high school years. I
graduated from San Fernando High School with honors. I volunteered. I
served in the community, student body, and to this day, I am working
for the betterment of my community working for the Los Angeles Family
Housing.
``Now that Donald Trump is President, I am concerned about my future
and that of my community. I want for others to have the same
opportunities that I have had so far.
``I hope that you can allocate some of your time for me to talk to
you about the importance of this bill and why it matters, not only to
me, but to the entire community.
``Alejandro Castro, Master's of Social Work Candidate.''
And this is from Grace Napolitano.
Are you still with us? Thank you, Grace.
I see we have been joined by Albio Sires from New Jersey. We have had
many DREAMers from New Jersey's testimony.
And Donald Payne, I read your testimony earlier, Donald. Thank you
for being with us.
Congresswoman, I have been referring to you as the godmother of all
of this all day. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.
I acknowledged Congressman Garamendi who was here before and came
back again, thank you.
Mr. Green, I acknowledged him before when he was here, thank you.
They are coming and going.
Congresswoman Napolitano of California's constituents have said this:
Diego Garcia Ramirez, 31-year old man from El Monte, provider for his
wife and three kids. He just had DACA approved at the end of July and
considers the opportunity of DACA a blessing from God. He has been able
to provide a stable living for his family. He was brought to the U.S.
at age 3.
A real statement of it can work.
Cynthia Lopez Lopez, 26-year-old woman from El Monte also, waiting
for her work authorization document to renew and fears she would lose
her job at Wells Fargo. She is the caregiver for her mom, who is
awaiting a lung transplant. She is the only source of income and pays
for rent, medical bills, and essentials.
Imagine that, to have all of that challenged. But it is, again, it is
the strength, the commitment to family that all of these people have
that strengthens America, and that is what argues for family
unification in our immigration policy. That is a subject for another
day. For today, we are talking about the DREAMers.
Again, from Mike Thompson, whom I acknowledged earlier, he has
another testimony, Mike Thompson of California.
Denia Candela was born in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. Today she lives
in Sonoma Valley, California, and is his constituent. Denia is a 2011
alumni of 10,000 Degrees, an organization that serves low-income and
first-generation students.
10,000 Degrees, that means degrees from college, not temperature.
She graduated from Sonoma State University in 2016 with a B.A. in
applied statistics and a concentration in the actuarial field.
She is currently involved in several different organizations and
serves as a board member of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation in
the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. She is also involved as a
commissioner for Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Her current position as the enrollment and outreach manager for a
nonprofit has allowed her to serve families who need early education
services through State-funded preschools. Denia is now in her second
year as a board member for Los Cien Sonoma County. Above everything
else, she is a mother to a wonderful 7-year-old.
She received DACA in 2012. DACA opened doors for her, allowing her to
provide for her son and give back to the community that has seen her
grow. Denia is a DREAMer.
Thank you for dreaming, and thank you for inspiring us to dream as
well.
Ted Lieu, testimony from Ted Lieu's district, who was with us until a
few minutes ago.
Josefina is an undocumented Californian who is originally from
Colima, Mexico. Her testimony has been presented by Representative Ted
Lieu from California.
Josefina migrated to the United States when she was 3 years old.
Well, her family immigrated to the United States when she was 3 years
old, and she was with them. Although she became aware of her
immigration at an early age, her status had never defined her. She had
transformed uncertainty into determination.
When she graduated high school, she became hyperaware of the
financial constraints faced by immigrant youth. Josefina was able to
afford her undergraduate education at UCLA by working multiple jobs and
by applying to many scholarships. She would commute 2 hours every day,
each way, to UCLA on a daily basis because she could not afford to
dorm.
Her main motivation is her mother, who is also an immigrant. Her
persistent determination to provide for her family convinces Josefina
of her ability to surmount the barriers she faces as an undocumented
student.
Today, she is earning her Ph.D. at UCLA.
Her Ph.D. at UCLA.
Her research interests include the health and aging of the
undocumented population. Her scholarly work has been supported by the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute for Humane Studies.
She believes research is a way to rewrite the narratives of the
undocumented community in the United States: Undocumented people are
the backbone of U.S. society, she writes, yet we are dehumanized,
tokenized, and invisibalized.
That is a good word.
This prompts the need for a solution to immigration, which is long
overdue.
You are so right, Josefina.
Mark DeSaulnier, whom I acknowledged earlier, is here with us. Mark
is there. I thank Mark.
This is from Marco of Contra Costa County, represented by Congressman
Mark DeSaulnier. He is with us and has been with us for a long time
today. It is from Marco, who says:
``Thanks to DACA, I have been able to give back to the community in
more profound ways. Because I was granted employment authorization, I
was able to work for 2 years as a case manager in reentry services. I
helped members of my community find their way back into society after
being in prison. I assisted them in managing their sobriety and finding
stable employment and housing.''
God bless you, Marco.
``Currently, I am working in a nonprofit that provides free
psychosocial services to cancer patients. My only dream in life is to
be able to give back to my community, to help make them safer. I am
also working on my master's in counseling and am on a licensure track
as a marriage and family therapist.
[[Page H960]]
``I plan to use my license to continue working with the chemically
dependent and criminal populations. I want to help make our communities
safer. DACA allows me to continue working on my dream.''
That is beautiful, Marco. Remember what the Lord said in the Gospel
of Matthew: When I was in prison, you visited me.
Thank you for doing that.
{time} 1730
Elias Rosenfeld, Boston, Massachusetts. I met Elias at the Faith
Leaders Event. I had the privilege to meet Elias this month, when he
came to the Capitol with DREAMers and faith leaders so he could share
his story.
Born in Venezuela, Elias came to the United States as a young child.
Shortly after his mother passed away, United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services filed a letter notifying him that he was now an
undocumented individual, unable to receive healthcare, work and provide
for his family, or obtain a driver's license to commute to and from
school. Elias, however, fought to find a solution. He founded United
Student Immigrants, USI, a student-led community-based organization
that helped over 300 undocumented students be able to afford a college
education.
Elias has also partnered with the Florida High School Young Democrats
and The Children's Trust, and lobbied over 200 State legislators in
support of State-sponsored immigrant child healthcare, which resulted
in the passing of the Senate and House bills protecting healthcare for
over 22,000 children in Florida. Elias has spearheaded student
demonstrations at over 20 State and Federal congressional offices in
support of the Dream Act.
He received a 6-year full-merit scholarship to Brandeis University
under the TYP social justice scholarship program.
Recently, Elias worked in campaigns in Florida and New Hampshire as a
campaign fellow and intern for the immigration department for Senator
Elizabeth Warren.
He also shared with us his religious beliefs that day. He made a
very, very impressive presentation.
Thank you, Elias.
I had the privilege to meet Andrea Ortiz this month, when she came to
the Capitol to share her story with Members, faith leaders, and the
American people. Andrea Carolina Ortiz Duran is a God-driven,
passionate, creative leader.
Born in Leon, Mexico, Andrea migrated to the United States at the age
of 6 with her parents and four siblings. She was able to successfully
apply for the DACA program.
Having successfully navigated the education system as a first-
generation undocumented student, she became a role model for her
siblings and community members.
She graduated with honors in business administration from the
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a focus in
management, human resources, and entrepreneurship. Andrea seeks to use
her experience, education, and skills to support in uplifting Latino/
Hispanic communities and underrepresented students. Faith and family,
together, is what drives Andrea to keep pushing forward in life.
Again, from some other Members, from Alma Adams, who was with us
earlier, from North Carolina. She tells the story of Brenda Montanez.
Brenda Montanez was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and came to
Charlotte, North Carolina, as a child with her parents. Brenda always
knew she wanted to attend college, and because of DACA, she was able
to. At 18, Brenda enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte,
where she is a student leader.
She is a founding member of the Latinos Aiming for Achievement, LAFA,
a group founded to give Latino students on campus a voice in the
community and a place to meet and discuss issues impacting them. To
date, there are 32 members of the organization.
Brenda is one of many students nationwide who has been able to
achieve her goals of earning a secondary degree thanks to DACA.
Thank you, Alma Adams, for submitting Brenda's story.
This is from Representative Jared Huffman from California: Alex
DeLeon is a talented young woman who interned in Representative
Huffman's office. He recently invited her to speak at a townhall on the
future of DACA, and here is what she said:
``I'm smart. I'm resilient. I'm hardworking. I'm a DREAMer. I'm going
to make something out of myself one day, but only if programs like DACA
live on. And I'm not the only one: your classmate is a DREAMer, your
lawyer is a DREAMer, and your boss is a DREAMer. We're worth protecting
and we're here to stay. That's why I'm getting out there and urging
Congress to save the DACA program to allow nearly 800,000 young
Americans, like me, to keep working towards their aspirations and
contributing to the only country that they call home.''
I have had the occasion to have a conversation with Alex DeLeon. She
is a remarkable young woman in doing so much in the community to give
back. I am so glad that Jared Huffman has called her testimony to our
attention.
Peter Welch from Vermont and Rick Larsen from the State of Washington
are here.
Congressman Welch calls to our attention the story about a DREAMer
that he knows, and it is a letter from Juan Conde. I will preface this
by saying Juan Conde, bachelor's of science, master's of science, Ph.D.
in biochemistry and molecular biology, current medical student at the
University of Vermont, all of that.
I am telling you, this rug is killing me. Standing up is nothing,
being hungry is nothing, being thirsty is nothing. It is the rug that
is getting to me.
Juan Conde writes: ``Dear Congressman Welch, I am writing to tell you
my story about DACA in the hope that you and your colleagues will come
up with a legislative solution to this issue. I am one of the `DREAMer
kids.' I have lived most of my life in the U.S. and consider it my
home.
``Throughout my life, I have been driven to understand cancer and
have dedicated my studies to obtain the training needed to help cancer
patients. My mother passed away from cancer, and this tragedy made me
realize that I wanted to dedicate my life to fighting this disease.
This is why I spent a decade of my life in research, first in apoptosis
during my M.S., and then DNA repair of tobacco and smoke carcinogenesis
for my doctorate studies.
``I chose science because, at the time, it was impossible for
undocumented students to attend medical school, and I wanted to have an
impact on a disease that had affected my family. It was difficult to
obtain my degree as an undocumented student, but I persisted because I
believed in the promise of the American Dream.
``When DACA was announced, it transformed my life. Suddenly I could
be paid for the research I was doing. I could drive, I could be free
from the fear of deportation, knowing that all my hard work and
dedication would not be meaningless, and that the idea of America and
her promise were alive and strong. It also meant that medical schools,
including my current school, UVM's Larner College of Medicine, changed
their policies and gave DACA students a chance to enroll.
``I understand that legislation takes time, but if there is anything
you can do to help DACA students, including a discharge petition,
please do so. If you do, you will have the gratitude of a group of
dedicated individuals who wish nothing more than to give back to the
only country they have ever known.''
Okay. So now this one says: Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers
Caucus wrote to Speaker Paul Ryan to request a ``Queen of the Hill''
rule to govern debate on competing DACA and border security proposals
to establish the official position of the U.S. House of
Representatives.
Last week, the 48-member Problem Solvers Caucus announced a
bipartisan set of principles that lay the groundwork for a deal on DACA
and border security.
The letter was led in the Problem Solvers Caucus by Fred Upton,
Republican from Michigan; and Peter Welch.
The text of the letter can be found below and here:
``Dear Mr. Speaker, the President challenged us last fall to
legislate the DACA program rather than relying on executive orders to
determine its fate. The President has also asked us to address border
security.
[[Page H961]]
``DACA is an important issue in all of our States. And, as we know,
the program's original intent was to protect from deportation eligible
children and young adults who were brought to this country through no
fault of their own. We have learned through multiple reports that the
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has moved to deport many who
have been here for years, including some who are now married with
children. Many have paid their taxes and have no serious criminal
record. Many know no other way of life.
``There are a number of worthy Member proposals that should be
properly debated and voted on by the House. Some are bipartisan and
would end the uncertainty and distress that some 800,000 DACA
recipients are enduring. Others would also address the issue of border
security and broader immigration reform issues.
``Mr. Speaker, we seek your commitment that the House will address
the uncertainty of the DACA-eligible population in a timely fashion,
either separately or as part of a broader package, using an open and
inclusive process that allows the House to work its will.
``Specifically, we seek your commitment that the House will debate
and vote on all serious and substantive proposals, particularly those
offered on a bipartisan basis, as well as any bill approved by the full
Senate. A `Queen of the Hill' rule should be employed that establishes
the proposal receiving the most votes as the position of the House.
``We accept the responsibility to reach consensus on a legislative
solution to DACA and are determined to resolve this issue. We believe
immigration reform should be bipartisan and that only an open process
allowing for the best ideas from both sides will demonstrate to the
American people that we can find common ground.''
That was a letter from the Problem Solvers Caucus, led by
Representative Fred Upton, Republican from Michigan; and Peter Welch,
Democrat from Vermont.
This is very important because we are talking about Queen of the
Hill. As you know, my colleagues, there are several options to come to
the floor. One is Queen of the Hill; one is King of the Hill.
Queen of the Hill means the bill that gets the most votes is the bill
that prevails. It would go to conference with the Senate; or if it is
the Senate bill, would go to the President's desk.
King of the Hill, which we are not advocating, is the one that wins
last.
We want the one that gets the most votes, the one that wins the most
votes. This time, the queen should prevail.
I appreciate the letter from Fred Upton and Peter Welch because it
talks about some very important things: a bipartisan, open process.
That brings people together: bipartisanship, transparency, unity. I
thank the caucus for this.
Okay. We have another story from Houston, from Sheila Jackson Lee.
Andrea Ramos Fernandez is a local San Antonio DREAMer, who adores San
Antonio, as any true San Antonian would. In 2005, Andrea was 8 years
old when she moved to the United States.
She was too young to realize the spring break vacation her mother had
planned was a permanent move--that that vacation was a permanent move.
This move was influenced by economic instability, paired with her
father's stabbing in a taxi cab in Mexico City.
Once Andrea and her mother made it to the U.S., Andrea's
grandparents, who are U.S. citizens, began the process to legalize
Andrea's mother.
What Andrea's grandparents didn't realize was that the broken
immigration system made it difficult to grant Andrea's mother a green
card, that immigration process being over 23 years, leaving Andrea out
of the possibility to adjust her status.
``Chain migration''--we call it family unification--has been a broken
issue within the government, and in this case, Andrea's grandparents
could do nothing to change her status. That is why we want to improve
it.
So Andrea grew up undocumented. She grew up pledging allegiance to
the American flag, watching American cartoons on Saturday mornings, and
getting good grades. Andrea's academic performance was so great that
her first academic award was the President's Award, which was signed by
then-President Obama. Andrea continued her education with academic
excellence, achieving high marks, eventually graduating Churchill High
School with honors.
Her grades then led her to get a full ride at Texas State University
in San Marcos, Texas, where she pursued a career in healthcare for 2
years. Eventually, Andrea decided to transfer to the University of
Texas in San Antonio, where she is now currently studying public policy
while being a student leader on her campus.
Andrea has been involved in various projects around the city of San
Antonio, working as the lead immigration fellow for MOVE San Antonio.
She has also pushed for educational initiatives on her campus, leading
to the creation of the first onsite DREAMer Center on a college campus
in Texas.
Because of her leadership, Andrea has been given the opportunity to
visit D.C. to lobby for the Dream Act and is now asking the Congress
and Senate to act on bipartisan legislation. Andrea graduates in
December of 2018, 4 months after her DACA expires. While Andrea is
worried about what that may mean to her, she worries more about her
community, whom she sees as a community full of promise. Andrea is an
American who adores and believes in the American promise.
Andrea cheered when the Spurs won their fourth championship in 2007,
and once more in 2014.
Okay. That was then. This is now. Okay.
She also mourned with our country in some of our worst tragedies, as
this country's pain was also her own. Therefore, she asks to be given
the opportunity to prove she is already an American.
How lovely. How lovely, Andrea. A little bit of my Golden State
Warriors coming in there when she was talking about the Spurs, but
anyway.
From Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, who is with us, the godmother of it
all, we have this testimony from one of her student DREAMers: ``I am a
student of East Los Angeles College and part of your congressional
district. I am very concerned about the initiative President Donald
Trump took towards the DACA program. He gave Congress 6 months to find
a solution. As of today, there has been no progress and many are losing
the protection they had with DACA. I am asking to fight for a clean
Dream Act for all. The immigrant community is a hardworking group of
individuals that are in this country for a better life, meaning that
they want to work, educate themselves, be in the Army, and have all the
benefits this country provides to make it an even better place to live
in.
``Sincerely, Luvia Navarrete, DACA recipient.''
To Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, this letter begins: ``Hi,
Mrs. Lucille. I am Ana Garay from District 40. I am a DACA student from
East Los Angeles College and I wanted to tell you my concerns about the
DACA problem that is going on right now. I wanted to tell you I am
really scared of what could happen in the next months, because, as
other students, I want to accomplish my dreams and be a proud Latina,
as you are. I hope that we fight together for what we want for our
future as a community, because we are known as the one that fights
together.'' Signed, Ms. Ana Garay.
In the previous letter that I was reading from, the one from San
Antonio, she talks about how many years it would take for the
grandparents to help the daughter to become legal and to get a green
card. The other day, there was an article in the paper, a big, long
article, about how backed up the green card applications are; years,
years. So even the people who want to be doing things on schedule, many
people are here not because they came illegally, but because the
process took so long that their opportunity expired.
{time} 1745
This is from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who has joined us. Thank
you, Congresswoman DeLauro.
``Dear Representative DeLauro: I was honored to intern in your
Washington office and learn more about the government of the United
States and, more specifically, responding to constituents' concerns.
``Walking through the long tunnels that connect the congressional
buildings to the Capitol, I began to envision
[[Page H962]]
myself working in the District of Columbia upon graduation. But like
for many people, the election results have forced me to take a
different path.
``After the Presidential election, all the stability that had allowed
my family and me to become part of the American life was turned into
fear and doubt about our future.
``Not only has the President-elect vowed to deport millions of
undocumented immigrants, but he also promised to remove the DACA
program. For this reason, I had to return to New Haven and assist my
family as we figure out which decisions are best to take moving
forward. Thus, I am sorry to inform you I will no longer be able to
continue my internship in your Washington, D.C., office.
``I want to express that, while I am in constant fear questioning
whether I'll be able to complete my undergraduate degree, or if my
U.S.-citizen sister will be separated from us, I am not giving in.
``My best memory working in your office was running into an old
employer who came to the office for a Capitol tour. Reflecting on the
aspirations I had working as a busser to get myself through high
school, I remember your persona always providing me with hope.
``That hope has grown exponentially as I reminisce on the times you
walked into the office and greeted all your interns with such gratitude
and enthusiasm.
``With infinite gratitude.''
Thank you, Congresswoman DeLauro, for submitting this testimony to us
and recognizing the difficult decisions that families have to make in
the interest of families staying together. Thank you.
Niki Tsongas of Massachusetts has joined us. Thank you. Congresswoman
Gwen Moore of Wisconsin has joined us as well. Congresswoman Frederica
Wilson of Florida has joined us as well. Thank you, Congresswoman
Wilson, for joining us.
Again, this is from Representative Watson Coleman: Another
constituent, Diana Diaz, who is 22 years old. She came to the United
States from Mexico with her mother and two older siblings in 2002 when
Diana was 7 years old. They settled in Somerset, New Jersey, where her
mother worked long hours to ensure that her children could focus all
their attention on school.
Diana graduated from high school in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While
still in high school, Diana herself worked a full-time job to help
support her family. After high school, she attended Middlesex County
Community College, where she got her associate's degree in education.
She then continued her higher education and transferred to Rutgers-
Newark in the fall of 2016. There she majors in public administration
and minors in Spanish.
Diana has aspirations to continue her education and enroll in a
master's program to become a certified legal interpreter. Wow. That is
hard.
She hopes to head back to New Brunswick and work in the public school
system as an administrator to help students just like her. She also
wants to create a nonprofit organization to assist various ethnic
groups with gaining access to higher education.
Diana truly believes that the education she received in New Jersey
was so valuable to her overall success, and she wants to give back so
that others can follow suit.
I just want to dwell on this for a moment because she is talking
about education being invaluable to her success, and she wants to give
back so that others can follow suit. I hope that the Italian-American,
Irish-American, German-American, Dutch-American, all of the ethnic
groups that are here in our country take full pride in the example they
have set for how the American Dream works in America, because what you
see with these DREAMers just follows so closely with what our families
did, our ancestors did coming here.
The idea that education was key to upward mobility and to reaching
personal aspirations, that faith and family and a work ethic were an
important part of how you were regarded in America--and this may be
what is in their DNA as they come to the United States, but it is clear
they had masterful, great examples to show how to achieve the American
Dream in all of the waves of immigration that came before.
Family, faith, community, education, patriotism, love of America. So
beautiful. And Diana spells it out so clearly here.
Another one from Representative Jayapal of Washington State. We heard
from her earlier. She was with us earlier, Representative Jayapal. She
is on the Judiciary Committee, a leader on immigration. She is an
immigrant herself.
Twenty-two-year-old Esther was a hardworking and valued intern in
Representative Jayapal's office last year. She is also a DREAMer who
came to the United States with her parents and younger sister when she
was just 3 years old from South Korea. When they arrived on a visa,
Esther's parents sought help from an immigration lawyer to obtain more
permanent legal status in the United States. They filled out
applications, paid their dues, and gave the lawyer most of the money
they had. And he ran away with all of it. He scammed them and left them
with nothing.
Esther's parents' visas expired. They had little money. They pushed
their kids around in shopping carts because a stroller was too
expensive. Then they started over. They built their lives in the United
States. They raised a smart, passionate daughter who is now a senior at
Harvard.
The DACA status Esther obtained in 2013 helped to give her the
freedom to pursue her own American Dream. Even when Esther's DACA
status was secure, she said that typical safe spaces like hospitals,
police stations, and doctor's offices filled her with fear because
DACA doesn't afford protections to her family. She also hides her
status and worries what would happen if someone she trusted outed them
to immigration authorities.
Unless we take immediate action to help DREAMers, Esther's future is
even more uncertain. Thank you, Esther, for sharing your story with us.
Thank you, Congresswoman Jayapal, for sharing it.
We have been joined by Cedric Richmond, the distinguished chair of
the Congressional Black Caucus. Earlier I read statistics from the
caucus about how many people were DREAMers from the Caribbean, from
Nigeria, et cetera. We read some testimony that was from our press
conference by the DREAMer sent by Kamala Harris from Belize and coming
from the African-American community now. Thank you for coming,
Congressman Richmond.
Now we have one from David Vasquez, a DREAMer I have met. David was
born in Germany and moved to the United States at age 13. He grew up in
Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and graduated at the top of his high
school class. He earned a full-ride scholarship to Bowdoin College
through QuestBridge, an organization that links low-income students
with top colleges in the U.S.
David graduated from Bowdoin with a double major in economics and
German and was able to spend two summers interning at Goldman Sachs. He
later joined AlphaSights, a high-growth startup. At AlphaSights, David
established the firm's San Francisco office and grew it from 8 to 25
employees.
That is an important point because many of these DREAMers have
started businesses, created jobs; by creating small businesses and
being entrepreneurs, small and larger jobs. That is really an important
part of our economy.
Jesper Kim from Fotorama: Jesper is a South Korean-born immigrant
brought to the United States when he was 2 years old. He received his
associate's degree and is pursuing a degree in computer science while
working at his high school's photography studio. He continues to
volunteer at his church and in his high school's Key Club.
Evelyn Valdez-Ward from Irvine, California: Graduate student,
University of California, Irvine. A first-generation, female, Hispanic,
undocumented scientist, Evelyn constantly seeks to dismantle economic,
racial, and cultural barriers. She is part of the 1 percent of 800,000
DACA students pursuing postgraduate education.
In addition to studying climate change's impact on planet
productivity and drought tolerance, she is a strong and loud advocate
for her undocumented community. I would say ``vocal.''
[[Page H963]]
Evelyn received her B.S. in biology from the University of Houston-
Downtown in 2016. As an undergraduate, she spent 3 years on a variety
of research projects that sparked her passion for ecology. In 2013, she
helped to create a planet-water transport model using chaparral shrubs
to test drought tolerance in collaboration with Drs. Michael Tobin,
Brandon Pratt, and Anna Jacobson of California State University,
Bakersfield. This is very important research.
In 2014 and 2015, she worked under the direction of Drs. Scott
Mangan, Michael Tobin, and Claudia Stein at Washington University in
St. Louis, Tyson Research Center, where she studied phylogenetic
relationships and the effects of drought in prairie grasslands.
As a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Irvine and Ford
Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, she is currently studying the
effects of climate change on the interaction between plants and their
soil microbes.
She is dedicated to combining her scientific training with mentoring
of underrepresented minorities in STEM, especially within the community
of undocumented students. Evelyn aims to inspire the next generation of
scientists by pushing forward the mission to diversify STEM.
Thank you for that, Evelyn. Again, many of the great discoveries in
America came from immigrants coming here. Many of the great academic
minds in our country came from another country. But then, at the same
time, America produced our own, and that is a pretty exciting
combination.
Ana Cueva: Ana Cueva was a young Mexican immigrant who has called
Utah and the United States home since 1998 when she was 5 years old. We
have a number of DREAMers from Utah, so we thank them for speaking up.
From this young age, she was always taught the importance of
education, hard work, and family. Beyond the values her parents
instilled in her, her future was also shaped when a year after arriving
to this country her mom became very ill. This experience gave her a
desire to help others, and she began to forge a path on her journey to
find her calling in nursing. In fact, nursing was solidified as her
American Dream when she was just 9 years old.
To achieve this dream, she understood how important it was to honor
her parents' decisions and dedicated herself to education and
community. As a teenager, she quickly became a volunteer at her local
hospital and later was elected president of the National Honor Society
for her high school chapter. She attended an accelerated high school,
earned her associate's degree in science at 17, and graduated in the
top 10 percent of her senior class.
She continued her studies a year later with the help of DACA. Now she
prides herself in being able to say she achieved her professional dream
of being a registered nurse, BSN, currently working in the shock
therapy ICU at a Level I trauma center in Utah. She graduated with high
honors from Utah Valley University in December 2016.
Thank you, Ana Cueva, for sharing your story with us.
Keyla Garcia Espino of Wyoming: Kayla Garcia Espino came to the
United States when she was 5 years old from Mexico. In 2016 she earned
her bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration
in accounting from Ferris State University.
Keyla is the deputy treasurer for the city of East Grand Rapids and
has been working for the city for almost 3 years. Her DACA expires in
October of 2018. May I correct the Record. She is not from Wyoming--she
is from Wyoming, Michigan. Is that a city in Michigan? Wyoming?
This is from Colleen Hanabusa, who has been with us for a large part
of the day, this testimony. Am I not lucky to be able to become so
familiar with so many of these beautiful DREAMers? We want to send
these people back? This talent, this rich talent? This achievement,
this determination, this faith in the future, this patriotism for
America? I don't think so.
{time} 1800
We have to make it happen. I have confidence.
Hi, my name is Sisilia Kaufusi. I am a DACA recipient. My parents
came to the United States of America seeking the American Dream. I and
my siblings came here when we were young. I was 4 when my mother and I
came to the USofA. It was not until I was a senior in high school that
I found out I had no legal status in this country of opportunities.
Today, I humbly ask that you issue legal resident status to those who
have benefited from President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA). President John F. Kennedy said: ``Ask not what your
country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.'' Over
700,000 people have benefited from this program. This program had
opened the doors for not only myself, but other undocumented children.
Thanks to DACA, they have obtained education, employment, and other
leadership roles with their community.
Within their community so that they can do something for our country.
President-elect Trump said he will end this program or allow this
program to expire. By doing so, he is slamming the door on the face of
DACA recipients, which will undoubtedly damage communities and the
economy across the country, and perhaps even across the world. DACA
recipients feel a sense of danger, which is why I write this letter
today. People that have benefited from DACA have no other objective in
mind than to become positive members of the U.S. community. Those with
severe criminal backgrounds did not and do not qualify for DACA.
And this is a letter from Sisilia to Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa:
With this in mind, I respectfully ask that you forgive DACA
recipients and urge you to pass legislation which allows DACA
recipients to become U.S. residents and protect the information they
have turned to the Department of Homeland Security, in order to return
peace of mind to these families immediately. It is only with your help
that we continue working for a better America.
It is interesting, as we read these letters--I am sure my colleagues
would agree--to see how many families hesitated to tell their children
about their status. I can understand why they would not want to
frighten them, but nonetheless, when they do find out, they are very
shocked by it. We shouldn't have that kind of fear and shock in our
country, especially for our children.
So while these parents took great risk, had great courage and
determination to protect their children, unfortunately, we didn't have
comprehensive immigration reform soon enough to have avoided some of
those sad situations.
Congresswoman Velazquez has another testimonial from a DREAMer.
Yatziri Tovar is a young New Yorker and, yes, an American, who faces an
uncertain future.
Yatziri Tovar came to the United States from Mexico at age 2. She is
American in every way--except on paper. Last year, after a lot of hard
work, Yatziri graduated from City College in New York. She achieved
this goal while holding down a job at the same time she completed her
studies. Because she is undocumented, Yatziri was not able to secure
financial aid.
Now Yatziri is giving back by working with a community group that
stands up for and empowers some of her most vulnerable neighbors, like
other immigrants and low-income workers.
Yatziri is exactly the type of person we want contributing to our
Nation. Yet, Congress is now contemplating turning its back on young
DREAMers like Yatziri. This is shameful. For young, patriotic people
like Yatziri and for hundreds of thousands of young Americans--yes,
Americans--we need to pass a Dream Act now.
I appreciate this statement from Yatziri Tovar, but I hope that we
can be more optimistic about the prospect of not turning our back, but
on embracing our DREAMers by having a discussion, a debate on the floor
of the House and passing legislation.
I hope the Speaker will give us in this House of Representatives the
dignity that we deserve to be able to discuss matters of concern to our
constituents on the floor of this House and have the House of
Representatives work its will in order to address this issue.
[[Page H964]]
The Senate has gotten that privilege--not privilege--it is really a
given, by the leader in the Senate, Mr. McConnell, in consultation with
a bipartisan group of Members, we have bipartisan legislation, as has
been said over and over. What we do should be bipartisan, should be
done openly, and should unify people. That should be a rule of thumb
for everything we do. It is especially necessary to do this soon.
Why? We ask the question: Why is the House cut out of this
discussion? Why? We need that answer from the Speaker of the House. Why
are we not given our constitutional opportunity to discuss this
important issue?
Just a few more from Members.
Actually, I could stay here for the full 40 hours and do this, but I
know that we have a vote to take, and the rest. So let us just conclude
with Carlos Aguilar, same last name as our cosponsors of the Hurd-
Aguilar bill--no relation.
Carlos migrated to the United States from Irapuato, Mexico, at the
age of 14 and currently lives in Kerrville, Texas. After graduating
from high school, he received his B.A. in psychology from Schreiner
University. Carlos has also earned an M.S. in sociology at the
University of Texas at San Antonio. Currently, he is attending the
Harvard Graduate School of Education where he is pursuing a doctoral
degree.
Aware of the obstacles along undocumented students' road, Carlos has
devoted his academic and professional endeavors to issues relating to
unauthorized migration as well as providing support and guidance for
this vulnerable population.
In addition to academic attention to these issues, Carlos has
remained active in the immigrant community as the Immigrant Youth
Leadership coordinator at UTSA--that is University of Texas at San
Antonio--as an associate legal assistant in an immigrant law firm.
He has many accomplishments.
Moreover, together with other undocumented and DACA students, Carlos
coordinated students' efforts at UTSA--University of Texas at San
Antonio--in mobilizing to defend their rights as undocumented and DACA
students. Through the creation of Immigrant Youth Leadership, they
advocated and worked to improve the educational experience of this
population.
I am just going to one more from California. I have to end on
California.
Kimberly came to the United States from Mexico and currently resides
in Los Angeles. She is the only person in her family without papers
and, in spite of the challenge, has risen to the occasion as an
advocate for DREAMers. She implemented a resolution supporting DREAMers
at her local community college. She is involved in the advocacy
community in Victorville and spent time as an intern in Congressman
Cook's office--bipartisan.
She hopes to become a lawyer one day.
We have been joined by Congresswoman Schakowsky. I thank the
gentlewoman for being with us; Congresswoman Kathy Castor. I
acknowledged the gentlewoman earlier. She was here before. And in back
is Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter; Congresswoman Robin Kelly;
Congressman Steve Cohen is with us; Congressman John Delaney.
I am trying to recognize just the ones I hadn't acknowledged before:
Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Congresswoman Julia Brownley,
Congresswoman Jackie Speier. I acknowledged Congresswoman Suzan
DelBene, Congressman Bobby Scott, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman
Schultz, Congressman Brad Sherman--I read your testimony earlier as I
did yours, Alma--Congressman David Cicilline, Congresswoman Yvette
Clarke--I read your testimony earlier as well.
All the others I think I have acknowledged. Yes, Hank Johnson from
Georgia, Congressman Hank Johnson. I think we have acknowledged all of
the Members who are here. Congresswoman Gwen Moore, I acknowledged
earlier when she was sitting over here. I will tell the gentlewoman who
she was sitting next to. She was sitting next to Congresswoman Niki
Tsongas at that time, but anyway, I acknowledge the gentlewoman again
and thank her.
Mr. Speaker, for the last 8 hours, I have had the privilege of
reading the testimony of so many DREAMers. I still have more, but I
thank all of you. It is a privilege to read the eloquent statements of
the DREAMers as they express their love of America, their commitment to
a better future for our country and their own families' better future.
It was a double honor to do so with the recommendations of the
testimony that you all extended, presented, and to have so many of you
here in the course of the day, a real tribute to the respect that we
have for our DREAMers.
So I accept your applause on behalf of them because it was their
story, in their words--by and large--that I told, in addition to the
Bible and the Catholic Conference of Bishops and Pope Francis and Pope
Benedict and so many other religious groups that we have. But I thank
all of you.
Our basic request is: honor the House of Representatives. Give us a
chance to have a vote on the floor.
The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, has gone
forward with the budget proposal with the promise that he will give
that opportunity to the floor of the Senate. The Senate will work its
will. We will see what they produce.
We will work our will here and see what we produce, but it must be
bipartisan, transparent, and unifying. We think that there has been a
lot of groundwork. In our case, the Hurd-Aguilar bill is one option.
The Senate bill may be another option. There may be other options that
are proposed. I am just telling you about the bipartisan ones.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the staff of the House of Representatives and
the various speakers at the House who have been up there with such
courtesy--you smiled. You smiled. But most of all, let us thank and
acknowledge the DREAMers for their courage, their optimism, and their
inspiration to make America more American.
I thank my colleagues.
Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Allow me to just say that we continue on this most important
legislation, H.R. 1153, and we have had the opportunity to yield time
to Leader Pelosi, and while she certainly came in to oppose this bill
that we have before us, having yielded 1 minute to the leader is the
most profound 1 minute probably in the history of this institution,
that 1 minute that ended up 8 hours where Leader Pelosi talked about
the plight of DACA and the DREAMers.
And I am very proud that in yielding that 1 minute we had the
opportunity to listen to Leader Pelosi deal with an issue and demand
that we have an opportunity to have a real debate and a real discussion
in the people's House.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that we had that opportunity, and now
let me just say, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared
to close.
Mr. Speaker, American consumers are under attack by the Trump
administration and Republicans in Congress every day. We learn about
either another effort to weaken guardrails, protecting consumers from
predatory actors, or another Trump appointee refusing to hold bad
actors accountable.
Trump supporters at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the
Securities and Exchange Commission have basically stopped enforcing our
Nation's consumer and security laws.
{time} 1815
Mr. Speaker, as you know, there is a lot of excitement here because
of what took place in the last 8 hours, so I don't feel interrupted at
all. I just feel very, very pleased that we had the opportunity to have
that speech by our leader.
However, I will just continue. Let me just get to the fact that,
again, Mick Mulvaney, whom Trump unlawfully appointed as Acting
Director of the Consumer Bureau, is gutting the Consumer Bureau's
Office of Fair Lending Equal Opportunity limiting the Consumer Bureau's
ability to stop bad actors from discriminating against communities of
color.
News reports also suggest that Mulvaney has slowed down the Consumer
Bureau's investigation of Wells Fargo, the ultimate example of a
recidivist megabank. Wells Fargo has publicly admitted to ripping off
millions of Americans with fraudulent checking accounts, credit cards,
forced-placed auto insurance, and much, much more.
[[Page H965]]
But the Trump administration has a partner in its efforts to
undermine consumer protections. House Republicans have been in lockstep
with the President when it comes to rolling back consumer protections.
Take the Consumer Bureau's rule on forced arbitration: Wall Street
lobbied hard against this rule, and instead of putting consumers first,
House Republicans passed a Congressional Review Act resolution to
repeal a rule that would have helped consumers who have been wronged by
the big banks to join together to hold them accountable.
But that is just one example of how House Republicans have tried to
undermine consumer laws. For years now, they have tried to cut the
funding of the Consumer Bureau or to change its structure, and having
failed in those attempts, they now have their inside man, Mick
Mulvaney, who is working to destroy the Bureau from within. We
shouldn't be surprised since the chairman of the Financial Services
Committee has said he wants to ``financially terminate'' the Consumer
Bureau.
The bill before us today should be viewed as one part of this long
line of attempts by my colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle to
undermine the fundamental consumer protection. Home buyers should not
be gouged or swindled just because they want to own a home. H.R. 1153
would legitimize predatory kickbacks through affiliated firms.
Megabanks, including bad actors like Wells Fargo, and other lenders
would be incentivized to steer their borrowers into more costly
products simply because they can.
H.R. 1153 is a bad bill that will only line the pockets of Wall
Street with the hard-earned savings of Main Street. But don't just take
my word for it. Civil rights groups and consumer advocates all agree
that this is bad for America.
So, despite all of the excitement that we have had here on the floor
today with Leader Pelosi and the message that she brought to this
Congress, I want all of our Members to simply reject President Trump's
and House Republicans' attack on consumers. Vote ``no'' on H.R. 1153
and support Leader Pelosi in calling for a debate in this House on the
issue dealing with DACA and the DREAMers.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bergman). The gentleman from Texas has
2\1/2\ minutes remaining.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, we could not be more highly honored that the minority
leader would take such an interest in H.R. 1533, the Mortgage Choice
Act.
I am reminded that there are Members who come to this great Chamber
to make speeches, and there are those who come to make laws. When it
comes to speeches, I would note that the Gettysburg Address came in at
2 minutes, and Americans may think it had greater eloquence.
I would note that as the minority leader quoted the Bible frequently
throughout her speech, it reminds me of Isaiah 1:18, ``Come now, let us
reason together, says the Lord.''
Yet President Trump stood right there in the State of the Union
Address with his hand out with an olive branch extending an open hand
to work with Members of both parties on an immigration reform package.
He offered a fair compromise. He offered a fair compromise, and,
instead, the minority leader slapped his hand and called it insulting,
Mr. Speaker. She called it lame. She called it dangerous.
This is not someone who has come to this Chamber, the people's House,
in order to make law. The President didn't offer legalization. He
offered a pathway to citizenship. He didn't offer this for 700,000. He
offered it for 1.8 million. He said:
Let's secure our borders, and let's make sure that
immigrants who come to this country come legally and come
with their sleeves rolled up coming to work and build
America.
There are those who want to solve a problem, and there are those who
want to exacerbate a problem for the election.
Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, hardworking Americans need the opportunity to
get mortgages to buy their part of the American Dream. Everything that
the ranking member said, she ought to share it with her own Democrats
because half of them on our committee support H.R. 1533 which is good
for America and good for prospective home buyers.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all House Members to adopt it, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to House Resolution 725, the previous question is ordered on
the bill.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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