NAFSA Statement on Immigration Reform and Undocumented Students

WASHINGTON, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When President Obama makes his much-anticipated remarks on immigration reform later today in Texas, many people will be listening carefully. Among them are the thousands of undocumented young people in the United States whose futures hang in the balance as the nation continues to debate this crucial issue.

President Obama has said on more than one occasion that his greatest disappointment in the last Congress was its failure to pass the DREAM Act, which would create the possibility for undocumented students who were brought to the United States by their parents at a young age to get an education and serve in the military. His dedication to the bill was evident when last fall, numerous cabinet and government officials (including Secretary Arne Duncan, Dr. Jill Biden and Tim Kaine) made strong public statements in support of the bill.

Only Congress can pass the DREAM Act, of course, but there is something the President can and should do now to end the humanitarian crisis that congressional inaction has created. Thousands of undocumented children graduate from U.S. high schools each year. They confront a future without the possibility of pursuing a college degree, and they live in the constant fear of deportation from the only country they call home. This is not only deeply unfair to them – it is an enormous loss of potential talent for our country and our economy. Last month, 22 Senators sent a letter to President Obama with advice on how to implement so-called "deferred action" as a fair policy to prevent the deportation of young people throughout the country who would be eligible for the DREAM Act. 

We urge President Obama to exercise his executive authority and act now to direct the Department of Homeland Security to implement such a deferred-action policy. This is a matter of humanitarian necessity, and it would represent the kind of national leadership is needed to move the one-sided, enforcement-first debate about immigration that has so far poisoned prospects for what is ultimately needed – comprehensive reform – in a more fruitful direction. 

With nearly 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest nonprofit professional association dedicated to international education. For more on the efforts of our global community of advocates speaking out in support of the DREAM Act, visit "Reaching for a DREAM" on NAFSA's online home for grassroots advocacy at www.ConnectingOurWorld.org.

SOURCE NAFSA: Association of International Educators

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