[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   THE FAILURE TO PASS THE DREAM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 21, 2017

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the president's anti-immigrant 
rhetoric and policies have jeopardized the future of immigrant parents 
and their children all across America.
  This tragedy is most immediately true for Dreamers impacted by the 
President's ending the DACA program.
  While Congress can act to protect Dreamers, Speaker Ryan and the 
Republican leadership have ignored the wishes of the majority of 
Americans and turned a deaf ear to this crisis by sending us home 
without voting to protect our nation's Dreamers.
  Those who voted for the spending bill without the passage of the 
Dream Act, have in effect voted for the deportation of Dreamers.
  Republicans who say it is okay to wait until next year to protect 
Dreamers are misleading the American people.
  The fact is that since the President eliminated the DACA program in 
September, more than 13,000 Dreamers have already lost their work 
permits and deportation protections. And the fact is that an additional 
122 Dreamers are losing their DACA protections every day.
  They are students and professionals such as doctors, nurses, 
teachers, scientists and social workers. They are members of our 
military and parents who play a critical role in the wellbeing and 
future of our American society. Dreamers strengthen our economy, 
protect our country and enhance the quality of life in our communities 
and across our nation.
  It is unconscionable that Speaker Ryan and the Republican leadership 
refused to bring the Dream Act for a vote before we recessed for the 
holidays.
  It is impossible to understand how in good conscience the Republicans 
could go home to celebrate their religious beliefs and ideals knowing 
their lack of action is not only shattering the security and unity of 
families but creating a traumatized generation of children. How is that 
loving your neighbor as yourself?
  School teachers in my district tell me many of their students are so 
consumed with fear of losing their parents they are exhibiting signs of 
PTSD and depression.
  During this holy season, instead of celebrating the gifts of their 
faith, immigrant parents are having to develop emergency plans so their 
children will know what to do if their parents are taken away and don't 
make it home one night.
  As a mother, I can't imagine the physical and emotional toll it takes 
to try and reassure your children while at the same time having to tell 
them they may not see you again or that they may have to leave their 
friends and their home for a country they do not know or remember.
  Congress has the power to stop this terror by passing the Dream Act 
but the Republican leadership once again lacked the courage to take a 
stand and have a vote.
  Protecting our Dreamers is the moral and right thing to do and it is 
in the best interests of our nation.
  Tragically, instead of living up to our American values and giving 
Dreamers the gift of hope for a better and more secure future, 
Republicans have left them and their family with a lump of coal laced 
with fear and uncertainty.
  Mr. Speaker, you and your leadership should be ashamed of yourselves.

                          ____________________