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Process took so long hes no longer eligible he feel turned 21, his father cannot petition for him to become a citizen. He has lived his whole life in this country since he was 3, his father is an american citizen, hes an undocumented immigrant. The only solution for him is the dream act. Only countrythe i know. My family and friends are here and everything i know as america. The dream act is important to me and many others like me who are in the same situation. We have the resources to help this country greatly but dont have a paper to do this. We Hope Congress will put political issues aside and pass the dream act. Yanid is right. Will america be better off if we deported him . The answer is very obvious. Chauns ago, 1992, min parents brought him to the United States at four years old and overcame obstacles to complete his education. In 2009, he graduated from the university of california with a bachelors degree in neuroscience. Heres what he said. My dream is to make several contributions to science and become a physicians assistant as a career and eventually a teacher as well. I ave great aspirations, but want norment, civility stability and he lives in california with his wife who is an american citizen. He spoke about what it would mean to him if the dream act became law. Imagine the countless numbers of individuals to contribute as lawabiding successful individuals who live life with a sense of strength and month atlanta. Abraham lincoln once said mercy bears fruit than strict justice and this is more true. I have a great amount of hope and belief in this country and one day we will see the dream act enacted into law. His is his statement another child brought here from dreamer. Was an earlier mandeep. He was brought here 14 years ago. Beautiful little child. Mandeep has been allacademic allstar. Honors premed student at university of california at differences and majored in physiology and behavior. She is dedicated to Public Service. She 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 copresident of stand an antigenocide group. She has so much to offer our country. She wrote i consider the United States my only home. This is where i belong. My dream is to become a pediatrician so i can treat the helpless among us. Remainto serve i wish to in the United States so i can make a positive difference and give back to the community that has given me so much. How beautiful. You see the 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. Necata. Her parents brought the family to the United States from the malawi. Country of they came here legally and they had work permits. John, an ordained christian minister worked as a hospice counselor, joan worked as an accountant. When they filed to file papers to stay here permanently. Finally in 2009, john and joan were granted legal permanent residents. But by that time, their children were adults and unable to obtain legal status. Here is what she said about being deported. The looming fear of everything i know here in the United States, removed to the other side of the world is crippling and said i cant imagine my life in africa, im an american, i pledge allegiance to the flag. Would be terrible to send them back. One was 11 months. In 2007, one graduated graduated from the university of cincinnati with a degree in finance and then worked as an Accounting Firm and dreams of becoming a certified public accountant. She explained what america means to her. When you say, the American Dream, all around the world, they know what youre talking about. People have never been to our shores eaten our food or spoken our language have heard of a prosperous nation that above all else grants freedom and right to alls to all of its people. She graduated from university of cincinnati with a university of cincinnati. Dominique graduated with a degree in chemistry and began working at the University Hospital and Jewish Hospital in the clinical studies assistant. They planned to apply to medical school and she said i dream being a doctor. Would america be better off if we deported them . Of course not. The dream act gives them a chance. Let me introduce to you to another dreamer, manji. He was brought to the United States from bangladesh in 1991. He was five. As he grew up, he immersed himself in the study of computers and technology. I have had an intense passion for technology. Middle school that led to spending my nights constructing model airplanes and generators. In high school, i fell in love with computers and created online newspaper for my school. He did not know about his immigration status until he was applying for college and asked his parents what to say about his status and thats when he learned he he was undocumented. In 2008, he gauted from the university of North Carolina in chapel hill. Very soon, he began to be courted by the Technology Industry and offered the job as a lead engineer for a Startup Company in Silicon Valley. His prospects will be limited because of his immigration status. The deem act would give him a chance to pursue his dream and contribute his talent to the country he calls home. I i have turned several great obs from several 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, pursue my dreams as an internet entrepreneur. So we have someone like with his talents and 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 him . Of course not. The. R. T. Was brought to United States when she was 11 and settled to a suburb of detroit. They came to the United States legally. Shortly before arriving in america, her mother filed an application to stay in the United States. She quickly learned english and became an academic star and graduated from gross Point High School with 4. 05 great point average and she was on the track team and advanced Scholar Award as a member of the National Honor society. She attended the university of detroit and studied to be an electrical engineer and grade point average of 3. 98 and completed two internships at engineering companies. She is from albania. She is volunteering at homeless shelters, tutoring programs. Listen to what her friend said about her. Im humbled by her willingness and desire to serve. I have gone to the same church. She spends hours tutoring kids and volunteering with the junior high sunday school. And children run up to the church because of the love they receive. It would be a good use to deport her . Of course not. Again, there is so much discussion in the United States about the need for more young people to study known as stem. We add the arts in there, steam. We issue hundreds of thousands to bring foreign students. She is a straight a student in the stem field and doesnt need a visa and home grown fall ent. She came to capitol hill to speak on a briefing on the dream act. Im a typical story. There are thousands of stories out there like mine. Please support the dream act so students like me dont have to leave. Were worth it. She is right. She and thousands of others, hundreds of thousands of others re worth it. A 23yearold, Keith Ellisons district. Was born in kenya and came to minnesota at age 11 and didnt known he was undocumented until he graduated from high school. Imagine the maturity of these kids. And carrying this weight. Growing up is hard enough, right . But carrying this. He wanted to pursue college education. It was a grueling experience. Fter daca, he graduated from st. Cloud State University with a degree in psychology and management. And he will be studying at andrews university. He wants to be the chaplain of the United States senate one day and can only do that if the dream act passes. Maybe the house, if we were given the chance might rise to the level. Our Congressional Black Caucus mentioned earlier that the chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus the Congressional Black Caucus has been involved in this issue and gave me these statistics. 5,302 people from jamaica. And 2,095 Daca Recipients from nigeria, just to name a few. D more from africa, but just named the nigerian here. And i thank them for their work in the activities along with this. We have another visitor from albania. Things are tough there. Our distinguished colleague, mr. Elliott engel has been albanias best friend in the congress, but he could attest there was cause to leave in an earlier day. Ola castle, brought to the United States in 1998 when she was five years old. She went to high school in warren michigan and value dick torian of her class and and took advanced placement a and had a 4. 4 grade point average. She was the only varsity in Cross Country and tennis teams. She was treasurer of the Student Council and treasurer of the National Honor society at her school and tutors children who are learning english. Ola was a member of the homecoming court, i dont have her picture here, but participated in every way. She was accepted in the Honors Program at the university of michigan, where she would study premed. Heres what she said about her dreams for the future. Aspire to become a surgical oncologist, but more importantly i intend to work for patients who cannot afford the fees accompanying lifesaving surgery, patients that are denied the medical treatment they deserve. My goal is not to increase my bank account but decrease preventable deaths. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing your stories. It takes great deal of courage for these people to share their stories. The intimacy of the challenges and the personal challenges they face. We thank them for their generosity of spirit, as well as their courage. Steve lee came to the United States when he was his parents brought him here when he was 11. He study at city college of San Francisco where he majored in nursing, was a leader in Student Government. Heres 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 health care issues. Im well on my way to achieving my dream, he writes. By passing the dream act, ill be able to achieve these goals and contribute to health. Could we use more nurses in this country . We sure could. In fact, the United States imports thousands of foreigners foreign nurses every year because we have such a huge nursing shortage. So why would we consider sending teve lee back . Tulo ulomni was brought to the United States from nigeria when she was a child. As a child, tulo dreams of becoming an engineer. She 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, heres what tol usaid. The dreements of my youth have tulo said. The dreams of my youth have stalled, yes. But my country still needs me. Passing the dream act is critically important to me and to so many others. I dont believe im entitled to anything more than what this great nation has taught me. That we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Imagine tulo 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 say to their parents, thank you for bringing these dreamers to america. Were in your debt. For the courage it took for you to take the risk, physically, politically, in every way, to do so. David cho. David was brought to the United States from south korea when he was 9. Since then, david has been a model american. Hes had a 3. 9 g. P. A. In high school. He attended ucla where he attained a bachelors of arts in international finance, with 3. 6 g. P. A. As you can see, david has also is also the leader of the ucla marching band. Theres a picture of him. But the record does not the leader of the ucla marching band. David then obtained a masters degree in Public Policy with a g. P. A. Of 3. 9. And was the you can ucla commencement speaker. Hes worked as a Business Technology analyst at the lloyd consulting, where hes earned the highest possible performance rating representing performance in the top 5 of all analysis. Today he works in business and technology, consulting as a sales force scrum master and public project manager. Thank you, david, for your contribution to our country. Michul was brought to the United States by his parents in 1991 when he was 9. I want to make this point, mr. Speaker. This bill, when i mentioned about senator durbin, he introduced the dream act in 2001. Its 17 years later. So some of these children have grown up. But some of them that were addressing came to the United States in the 1990s. And so 17 years later we still havent been able to take care of the children . They were very little children when they came. Some of them are still well, theyre still young. But they came, some of them, as i said, 11 month, 6 months, babies. This michul came when he was 9est. Grad from high school with a 9. He graduated from high school with a 4. 2 g. P. A. He graduated from college. With support from the korean american community, he was able to graduate from dental school. He became a dentist. And heres what he wrote. After spending the majority of my life here, with all my friended and family here, friends and family here, i could not simply pack my things and go to a country i barely remember. Im willing to accept whatever punishment is deemed fitting for that crime. But let me just stay and pay for it. Im begging for a chance to prove to everyone that im not a waste of a human being. That i am not a criminal set on leaching off taxpayer money. Please give me a chance to serve my community as a dentist, to be a giver rather than a receiver. Thank you, michul. Senator durbin has sent over some stories and im going to read some of them. When yanuk diof was 8, his father, a diplomat from the african country of senegal, brought his family to the United States. Unfortunately yanu ks parents separated and his father s ks parents yanuk parents separated and his father left the United States. When he left the United States, yanuk lost his legal stat to us live in this country. He grew up in status to live in this country. He grew up in maryland. In high school he was a member of the National Honor society. Also volunteered weekly at a homeless shelter and organized soccer tournaments for three years to raise money. For the red cross for earthquake relief in haiti. Mind you, hes from senegal and hes raising money for earthquake relief in haiti. God bless him. After high school, he continued his education, he earned an Associates Degree in business and Montgomery College wreffs on the deans list. He then transferred to the university of maryland where hes working on a bachelors degree in business management. He runs an achievers mentoring program, an after School Program , to thank advises middle and High School Students on how to get into college. And be successful in college. Very valuable mentoring. Hes also a hes also a volunteer at united we dream, the Largest Organization of undocumented students in the country. May i just 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. Yanuk was a leader in the campaign to pass the maryland dream act, which excuse me, allowed maryland residents who run documented to pay instate tuition. Keep in mind, yanuk is undocumented. So he does not qualify for any official aid from the federal government. Heres what he wrote. Daca means dignity. More than making money. Having a job gives us dignity and selfrespect. I want to work for what i have. I dont 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 a functioning member of society, im here to serve and share my talents with those in my community. Yanuk was one of six dreamers who met president obama in the oval office. Heres what president obama said after this meeting. I dont think theres anybody in america who has had a chance to talk to these six young people who wouldnt find it in their hearts to say, these kids are americans just like us, they belong here and we want to do right by them. President obamas right. Yanuk and other dreamers have so much to contribute to our country. I question again, would america be a stronger country if we deport yanuk and others like him . Of course not. Nother dreamer from india. This is hemindar. When he 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. His dream was to serve his country as a soldier in the United States army. In his words, he simply wanted to give back. He was a born leader. 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 drivers license. Hes now a student at Hunter College and City University of new york, working for his bachelors degree in history and thanks to daca, he was on his way to fulfilling his dream. Last year he enlisted in the army, through the military exceptions vital to National Interest program known as mavni. It allows immigrants with skills vital to the National Interests to enlist in the armed forces. More than 800 Daca Recipients with this these Critical Skills have joined the military through that. Some Administration Officials have claimed that Daca Recipients are taking jobs away americans. But he and other dreamers away from americans. But he and other dreamers have skills that we cant find anywhere else. He and other dreamers are waiting to ship to basic training. He continues his undergraduate studies, working full time, waiting for chance to his chance to serve the country he loves. He wrote, all i want to do is serve, i want to do my part to give back to this country because it has allowed me to serve. Without daca, he and hundreds of thousands others with skills vital to the National Interest would be kicked out of the army. They want nothing more than to serve and theyre willing to die for the country they call home. Thank you. Representative esty of connecticut sent us this story about daisy rivera. Her story in her own words, in daisys own words, i came to the United States where i was when i was 2 it 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 grew up not knowing my true status and at that very moment i felt i didnt even know exactly who i was anymore. It made it very difficult to try to understand when all my siblings were born here, and in the u. S. , and were given opportunities that i wasnt able to have. When i graduate 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 are still working on their dreams. I now have a beautiful job with the Head Start Program for Youth Development and healthy living. This is a job that i know not only enjoy but my 3yearold daughter attends as well. Daca has been more than a blessing and a relief for me and my friends and family. But now it has been put on that has all been put in jeopardy. I cant even go to sleep at night. I look at my daughter thinking, what i do so i dont end up like other families who have been separated and destroyed . What can i do to support my child . How can i explain that my futures been taken away, that i am not like them . This might be another challenge for me to be an undocumented, but i know this is just the start of my new beginning that will label me as 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 other 800,000 dreamers and well attain what we deserve, we wont give up. That story comes from representative esty. I think its important to note , again, some of these theyre working, theyre 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 foisted uncertainty on them which daca relieved. So i think theres just a misunderstanding here about what the president President Trump did in september. It was very harsh, as the National Catholic conference of bib bishops said, it was reprehensible of bishops said, it was reprehensible. I dont think the administration understood the impact it had on peoples lives. I think they thought they were giving a six months reprieve. But what in fact they were doing was giving six months of uncertainty and removal of protections for these people. And youve heard some of the statements that have been made in the last day or so about mischaracterizing why some people have lost protections. And ill 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 t have access to 495 in the spur of the moment. So ially a student anyway. Ive always treated this with respect. Id like to talk now about julia. Hen i came my family came to the United States to find stability and always had plans to make our plans permanent and the paperwork process began immediately. We didnt know what we were in for. The lawyer we had turned out to be fraudulent and my parents, sisters and i lost our status. Summer before my first year of high school. The future was unclear but i made choices. I chose to keep my grades up and chose to give myself opportunity. I worked hard. I graduated 28th in the class of 620. 3. 6 g. P. A. And got into rutgers early admission. My daca application had been approved. Within 12 hours, i applied for Social Security card and i filled out dozens of jobs applications. I got a license for the First Time Ever. In november of 2014, i got to teach for america and placed in san antonio, 18,000 miles from my new jersey home. I graduated with a double major and in english journalism. I had a new life in a new state and all by myself for the First Time Ever and i couldnt be more excited. I was teaching middle school. My kids are amazing and drive me nuts but i love them. Daca gave me my independence back and the reason im able to teach and live on my own and pay for my car and live in a country where i feel i belonged. I have been in fear. I worked so hard and my life was coming together and might fall apart. I hope it doesnt happen, if anything i have learned is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Thats julias story. His is from sule garcia. I came to america when i was three years old. 1994 ind over summer of the hot desert. I admired my parents driving courage to go after a better life. I couldnt imagine leaving my country, the u. S. , for what i know nothing about. That is why im thankful for daca. My mother always showed me anything is possible by working hard for it and never noticed or felt that i wasnt american sm my freshman year after passing y drivers he had, i was disillusiononned where my mother explained we werent here legally. I broke down crying. So many thoughts went through my mind. I eventually gripped myself together. The passing years, frustration added to the list of emotions. When i couldnt attend class trips to other states to apply for scholarships or special programs in colleges because of a lack of Social Security number and an i. D. When i graduated and time to see the real world, things hit the fan. I felt like the doors closed in on my me. I managed to get into a special program at my college which i wasnt able to do. I had to work at a minimum wage job and i felt like i had been torn apart. No matter how hard i worked, i would never accomplish my goals because of this barrier. I dropped out of college and just focused on working, got a second job, moved out of my moms house. After i met my husband, who is an american citizen and i have a child. Daca made me feel like a human being. Im not a bad person and good member of society and like me there is so many. Called for extension for deferred action for childhood arrivals. Again, the uncertainty, the anxiety that is injected into peoples lives, i thank them for sharing these deep concerns. Isabelle. Ing from i attended all honors classes but unlike most 15yearolds, my future was uncertain due to my immigration status. This l led to my interest in american politic. I want to understand why i was not eligible to apply for financials and despite being a top student. There was unfair about a system that excluded students like me. Frustrating my situation, i was fortunate to live in new york where residency laws made the possibility of attending college a reality. I studied Political Science. I attended school fulltime and had the opportunity to intern at senator gillibrands office. I knew then i wanted to pursue Public Service but well aware of the legal hurdles ahead of me due to my undocumented status. I was unsure of 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 difficult for me to find the right job, my persistence led me to the new York Legal Assistance Group and work as a paralegal in the veterans assistance project. I have the opportunity to work with a team that is committed to helping lowincome veteran populations in new york city get access to the aid they earned through their service. A daca, a dreamer helping our veterans. I hoped to attend law school but given the uncertainty what will happen with daca became increasingly difficult to plan for the future. While daca is not the solution, but has given me dreamers the path to achieving the American Dream. We thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. His is from bruna. There are a few minutes after president obamas presidency im saying goodbye to a president who meant so much for me. The new president may remove daca. And in 2012, president obama gave me and my sister a chance at life. Before then, we did feel like we were going to lose everything, friends and family, the home we built, the future we envisioned. Born in brazil and raised in tampa, my parents pushed us to excel in school in leadership positions and in sports. We planned to go to college, travel the world, volunteer and make a difference in a country that had welcomed us. After the third failed attempt in securing a gene card, we had given up. My parents did everything they could. They paid for expensive lawyers and secured work visas throughout our time here. There were no explanations as to why u. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would denny that own a business a chance to becoming a permanent resident. With the threat of being deported looming over my head, i did everything to help reelect president obama. I volunteered. Although im scared of what comes next, if we lose daca and no longer able to continue, im taught by an important lesson. We are the the change that we seek. In this time of uncertainty and carry that lesson that all people, including deemers can continue working toward the American Dream. I know that representative jayapal is on the floor and the rules do not allow her to deliver. Mr. Speaker, may i ask a question, can we have special our colleagues for colleagues . The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady may consult with leadership. Ms. Pelosi you dont know . Ill continue to read. Amy, this is from representative jayapal, leader on immigration issues. Immigrant herself to our country and now a member of congress. Amy and her family moved from fiji to settle in washington, staying on their fathers student visa. Things changed when they left the u. S. To attend a wedding. They were only staying for two weeks and my moms visa got denied. Amy is now 19, but the last time she saw her parents is when she was just 11 years old. How sad. When amys parents left, her grandmother came from california to baby sit. When they werent able to reenter the country, she picked up her life to move to washington. She is the heart of this whole family and kept us together. I dont know where we would be right now. Maybe in fiji or a foster home. We are thankful to her. Though aims grandmother has been lick in the u. S. For 20 years, she is also undocumented. Because she is undocumented and cant get Social Security. It breaks my heart whenever i think about it, amy said. With the exception of her younger sister who was born in the United States, the children have enrolled in daca. Amy is a Nursing Student and Health Care Worker for the elderly. As the older sibling she takes pride in helping her grandmother and provides for her three siblings and active member in her church and leader at the university of washington. She is shy and full of heart and cares deeply about her family and community. Without the support of daca, she wasnt able to complete her nursing degree. The livelihood of her family is at stake. The risk of deportation means she could be separated from her family possibly leaving her younger sister in foster care. What . This is a very sad and challenging situation. That families affected just are being able to vote on the floor. Its about the children. Thank you, congresswoman jayapal haring that. Representative hoyer, i dont know if the rules allow that there will be an opportunity for special orders where members can speak afterward. List yeah, dahla, indian american. Representative hoyer has been a champion on this issue, fighting so hard in every possible venue. Every step of the way. He submits this story. My family moved from canada to san antonio in 1996 when i was six. This is a dreamer from canada. We had a visa and my parents worked to change 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 and emotionally exhausting and financially draining process. Suffice it to say that im 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 played league basketball. I volunteered at the local food bank and took 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 eligible from relief of immigration worries. Daca has helped me become i am today. I have been able so work and buy a car and pay off. Help u. S. Citizens with their resumes. And pay state and federal taxes and pay rent. I eat at local restaurants and shop at local stores and pay for public transportation. All the dollars i have spent and other people have spent are reinvested back in the community and help improve our lives, citizens, neighbors and friends. Beautiful story. And again, a challenge that nothing lazy about this family or any of these families as to how they want to achieve legal status in our country. Only violation in hundreds of thousandses of these cases is the status, their lapse in this case, or a violation, but nothing in terms of breaking the law in any way. From california, a member of our freshman class, tells us the thank himdriana and i for the work he has done to advance the cause of the dreamers. At the age of 7 i migrated to the pa to the place i now call home. I had the dream of becoming someone important. Someone who would give back to the community. Im working to achieve my dream. To my community, i am a student, eem a peer, i am a leader. To the Trump Administration im 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 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 drivers license. Daca allowed me to be like any other person my age. People have canned me, what would i do without daca . To be honest, i have faith in my elected officials. I didnt want everything handed to me, nor do i believe i deserve everything. But i want to be like any other 25yearold in this country. I dont want the determination of daca to be the termination of my dreams. Thank you, adrianna. Thank you, jimmy panetta, for submitting that story. Juan tells us that he was working as an unpaid intern in 2012 when he caught word of the deferred action child for childhood arrivals, daca announcement, via 2013. I ran to the office lobby, turned on the tv and immediately knew right away that life would nobt the same. I called my mother in tears and proceeded to tell her that my brothers and i would be able to benefit from the 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 reenroll in the florida State University and pursue a masters degree in public administration. By 2014 i was the middle of working a job in tallahassee, florida, studying for my masters class 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 masters in 2015, full of hope and energy that id 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, puting 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 in Miamidade College and Florida International university. Theyre both currently pursuing careers to work in business and communications respectively. I just want to say that ive spoken at the graduation at miamidade and spoken also at Florida International university two magnificent schools in which and whats beautiful about them is to see the beautiful diversity and the large number of students that they teach. And the many cases, the first children to attend college. But all the optimism, dignity and hope that you could ever imagine at two great institutions. I actually spoke at the commencement address one year. The year before president bush spoke there. And i 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. Hahn goes on to say, there are juan goes on to say, there are a lot of misconceptions with the daca program. 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 been benefited from statefunded investments like Public Education to move forward with their lives and continue to contribute to their communities. That means dacas 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 impract than just the daca a impact than just the daca announcement but thats what were 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. They want to give back to communities. The immigrant commitment and recognition that education is the source of making the future better for their families and for our country. Dennis tells his story. I didnt cry. I knew it was for the best. I said goodbye to many. The people i love, i felt uncertainty. Yet i didnt cry. You see, i knew of the American Dream. Every evening id 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 exceled in school. Thats 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. Later, dennis says, i learned what my undocumented status truly meant. I felt uncertainty. Shame. No future. Rattled by it depression. I contemplated giving up. Luckily i had educators that told me i was wasting a mind. So ive continued to pursue my education and help run our family business. Through daca, 800,000 others and i lived freely. We can contribute. Thats our American Dream. That is why my mother worked so hard, hands aching, yet a kind smile on her face. Thats why i study economics. To one day enthrall my mind to the betterment of this nation. Giving back. I watched President Trump make his way to the podium, i felt urn certainty. My own need for an earn was channeled through screen into the mind of a reporter who asked about the daca. No answer. Silence. The voice of the president took office, cannons fired, rain fell, but i do not believe in omens. If the life of 800,000 daca americans will be by the virtue of the Lightning Strike of one mans hand. We ask only to let us contribute. Let us walk shoulder to shoulder on that same road, our hands held to pave. Human decency and morale demanded the american people, our people, demand it and deserve it. So we thank dennis for sharing his story. But you hear, mr. Speaker, reiterated time and again, the work ethic. Family values. Education. Giving back to america. O free ride. Im very pleased and i mentioned Congressional Black Caucus and their leadership on this issue. The his panek caucus and their leadership hispanic caucus and their leadership. Im very proud of kpack. The beauty . The mix. And 1 3 of my district is asia pasifpblgt so americans. So i take Pacific Americans. So i take great pride in being part of the kpac, the congressional Pacific American caucus. So heres the statistics that they have given us. 20 of Daca Recipients are asianpacific islanders. Did you know that . More than 130,000 asianpacific island dreamers. 7,000 dreamers are from south korea. Nearly 5,000 dreamers from the philippines. More than 3,000 dreamers from india. Nearly 2,000 dreamers from pakistan. And thousands more from the rest of the asianpacific area. Noosh daca, though, there are many people from asiapacific area who would be benefited if we did comprehensive immigration reform. Tonight were today were just speaking does it seem like nighttime snow were just speaking about the dreamers nighttime to you . Were just speaking about the dreamers. I thank congresswoman chu for her relentless leadership on this subject, as the chair of cpac, the congressional asianPacific American caucus, and also her insistence in presenting the value of family unification as a value. As a soffers strength to america. This is an important debate that well be 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 egard. Ure oicon icon in the congress, john lewis from georgia, has submitted this testimony. Hich john has spoken so beautifully on this subject. I think if anyone listened to him, both if the dreamers heard him, theyd feel so comforted and inspired and optimistic. And if others heard him, if their hearts are open, theyd 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 colleague. John submitted this story from georgia. Last week, this is the story, last week on january 30, 2018, President Trump in his state of the union said, americans are dreamers too. He didnt mention the second part. Dreamers are americans 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 wouldnt survive. At the time, shes from mexico, at the time they were very limited ways to get into the u. S. Legally. It required a lot of money and time, something we didnt have. Put yourself in her shoes. Would you have done for you what would you have done for you and for your child . Wait years in a country that wasnt safe with the hope that someday maybe could you come to america . A someday that never came for some because death came knocking first. 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. Im 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. Im an american. Im currently studying Political Science and aspire to work the United Nations and advocate for human rights. I earned over 30ds,000 in private scholarship money 30,000 in private scholarship money to attend college. She worked and did that. Nothing was handed to me. I did not qualify for instate tuition or any type of federal financial aid. They call us dreamers, but were actually working every day. To make our dreams into a reality. Its cruel to deny me and the 800,000plus 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 businesses, working, paying taxes. I would add serving in our military. A study at the center for American Progress estimated the loss of all daca workers would reduce u. S. G. D. P. By 433 billion over the next 10 years. Yes. 433 billion, mr. Speaker. Over the next 10 years. Removing dreamers are not only unethical, it is unjust. Its also simple underamerican because of the damage it would do unamerican because of the damage it would do to the economy. You gave an together to protect the american people. Im 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. And also to 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 ride right side of history to be on the right side of history. I would say that in this congress, and in this country, we not only will 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 its our National Purpose and what we owed people, life, libts and liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the pursuit of happiness is one of the goals of our nafplgtse one of the standards nation. One of the standards of what we stand for, to use the word again. And so this is not just about protecting the economy. Its about protecting our country. Who we are as a country. So i thank john lewis i thank daniela for her impressive, impressive presentation. Sfp i was born in mexico. I am 26 years old and have lived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant for 25 years. Do the math, mr. Speaker. That means she came 1 year old. Throughout my childhood i did not fully understand the repercussions that came from hearing the status illegal in this country. But i did know my mother and i had to be careful. As an adult, i am now experienced fisthand in restrictions, prejudice and fear Illegal Immigrants must confront. Since childhood, ive always wanted to make a tangible difference in the world. Listen to that sentence. Since childhood ive 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 to write the wrongs experienced by those living in poverty. In 2012 quhen i first heard about daca i was skeptical. The idea of selfdisclosing my immigration status, especially to the government, was terrifying. I waited two years to see what would become of those who bravely stepped out in order to receive their two years of deferment from deportation. Eventually i had to do the same. I understood that i could continue to be 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, im much happier thanks to daca. Daca has giving 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 used by private donations in the form of full tuition of scholarship, hard work, perseverance and many tears. Daca has given me the ability to earn a position as an americorps vista and fight against poverty in boston. Its amazing how nine digits and a flimsy piece of 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 sooks to provide seeks to provide opportunities that dont trap people into 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. Hank you for your courage. Giovanny. Giovanni writes, i left panama on my 8th birthday. At the time i didnt fully understand the weight what was happening. I was excited to have people on my flight say happy birthday to me. I was intrigued by the smoked salmon that the stewardess served me for lunch. I had no idea to this day almost 20 years later i would not return to my hometown or my childhood friends or the house 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. Tried to excel in my studies even though it prompted comments i was acting white. I got friends, played popular games. I assimilated because of the immense pressure. 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 also failed to distance myself from the perception that i did not belong. The older i got the more i realized my situation wasnt going to get any better. Giovanni rights 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, 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 would i couldnt 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, when all this all of us want is simple. We just want the opportunity to emerge from the shadows, to work and support our families, contribute back to our communities, to love our partners, spouses without the fear of being deported at a moments notice. We have that now but for how long . We thank you 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. We just talk about doors opening. Saying its like a cliche. But daca opened doors for him. Lets hope passing the dream ct will keep those doors open. Dianara writes this adversity causes some men to break. Others to bend let me start again. 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, she writes, it has shaped me to highly appreciate education and encourage my younger 60s to cel in be siblings to excel in their school. I was born in mexico. My parents migrated to the United States of america when i was very young so they could work endlessly and send money back home to mexico. At the age of 5 i migrated along with my sister and i was excited about my family being united once again despite the adversity we face. The hardships range from medical situations to owning a drivers license. The cost of visiting a clinic is tremendously overwhelming due to the fact we do not have the documents required for a medical insurance plan. My parents, like many others, risk so much by pursuing the American Dream every day. On august 12, president obama introduced deferred action for childhood arrivals program. My sister and applied and 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 and not grant me permanent residence. I qualified for scholarships like the gates Millennium Scholarship but i may not be considered because of my status. I looked high and low for any scholarship that helped undocumented immigrants. Regardless of not being a permanent resident or citizen i still made my dream of attending the university of texas ok. Where are you texas austin, texas, majoring in neuro science a reality. I consider myself blessed and hope others can learn from my struggles. I am involved at u. T. University leadership initiative, an organization that advocates for immigrant rights and helps the Community Fight injustice. Despite daca only allowing temporary relief to me, i appreciate it because it removed the burden of my status and allowed me to work and contribute to society. If daca were removed, we would have to return to the shadows of life and live in constant fear. We cannot let that happen. Another student from georgia, this time mcdonagh, georgia. I learn to live an american before the memories of my homeland solidified into an impression. My mothers native lung reshaped my familys mannerism and grandiose personalities. In pursuing the American Dream, my parents not only offered that i lives but also their youngest daughter. In spite of losing my ancestors that both defined me and were unknown to me, i fought for the new self i built in the ashes of the broken dreams they tried to burn down. In Community College i steadfastly held the distinction of a deans list scholar and successfully completed the requirements of earning the honor certificate by completing eight honors courses. The ld the merit of being in alphabeta gamma chapter the next year all 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 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 twoyear Associates Degree, i as chosen from a pool of thousands of semifinalists 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 two 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, those dreams from the moment i arrived in the United States, i tried i learned english quickly and, again, i talks bout also about the expiration date. Every two years i must go through the taxing process of applying for daca. Every two 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. And then i want to talk about cindy. My name is cindy nava. I was born in chihuahua, mexico and arrived to the United States in 1997. I have been blessed to grow up in a state that has demonstrated its appreciation and support for immigration communities over the years. The state of new mexico is not only the place i call home but it is also the state that has nourished my deep love and passion for Civic Engagement nd policy. I began my college life in santa fe Community College and then transferred to the university of new mexico where i obtained a b. A. 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 six years and went on to become the first undocumented student to serve an intern for the rilla moran and 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 criticism he received. Daca will forever hold a special place in my heart as it was 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 til her ilalla eva, un 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 my communities in ways i would have never been able to otherwise. Thank you, cindy, nava, for sharing your personal story with us. Here on the floor, representative rochester from declare, delaware, thank you for being with us. Class, of the freshman representative blunt rochester, s been an advocate for our daca recipient. One story. I was born in guerrero, mexico, and came with my parents at the age of 6. I am a 19yearold daca student currently studying biology. September 16, 2013, seemed like any day. From on my way home school. As the bus inched forward, flashing lights and a scene of an accident came into view. We saw 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 from beyond the compromised seat my heart stopped and i recognized what was on mistakably my dads crushed car. As i sat down so many things went through my mind before i was finally able to see him. A nurse with a clipboard escorted me back and she opened the curtain. There was my dad, handcuffed to his hospital bed and looking utterly defeated. After a long breath he spoke. In his voice he carried fear. 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 i was going to have to be strong and not lose focus on my education. He was then taken to jail. From that day on i knew my life would be different. In the midst of all of this i found refuge in one thing that i had control over my education. If i were to lost my day a. D. A. That day on september 16 i knew he would not have been disappointed because he would have been content knowing his children would be left in a good place which is all an immigrant parent always wants. At that moment the flames of disparity gave way to the fire of indignation, but this only kindled me with the 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 you to encourage the thousands of undocumented people like myself. I stand before you to ask pass the dream act so i and so many other undocumented people not only can continue pursuing the American Dream but also no longer fear being separated from loved ones. Thank you for this beautifully written statement. Like so many other of the daca students and dreamers. Its a story of family, of education, of commitment, of patriotism. Also beautifully written. Thank you so much. I know that in the course of the day weve 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 committee. Shes now the ranking democrat on the immigration committee. 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 i mentioned earlier also Sheila Jackson leefment what i mentioned was the im jackson lee. What i mentioned was the immigration committee. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee also maybe of the judiciary committee, leader on the immigration issue. An expert on it. Early i read early earlier i read her statement earlier i read her statement she presented from a dreamer, from houston, texas. Thank you, congresswoman, for being with us. And congresswoman bonnie wattsson coleman from new jersey is with us Watson Coleman from new jersey is with us too. Shes a very yo you the spoken force on many subjects in the butening in the congress. I know you know this issue so well. But for all of us, its not just an issue. Its a value. Its something very important to us. Earlier also from new jersey was frank pallone, our Ranking Member on the energy and commercee. Hes been in and out for most of the four hours that i have been speaking. John lewis, we had his beautiful statement from adrianna, a dreamer. No, daniela, a dreamer from georgia. Thank you, john, for your great leadership. I sang your praises earlier. I could spend another four hours just talking about you. Thank you so much. Lets see wholes is here. Congresswoman Maxine Waters has been here for most of the time. She too as a californian understands the impact of Public Policy in the lives of people. Dr. King told us, the ballot, legislation, your life. Theres a direct relationship. And legislation here has a direct impact on the lives of these people. Nobody understands that better than wax even waters, our ranking Maxine Waters, our Ranking Member on the financial ervices committee. Congresswoman velazquez was also here earlier. A leader on the committee, the Financial Services committee, top a leader on the the democrat on Small Business committee, where many, many minorityowned businesses enjoy the benefit of her leadership. She also was the 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 ictory possible. Congresswoman eshoo of california has been a tremendous force on this issue. A number of the testimonies that i have read have been from either Silicon Valley area or aspire to be from the Silicon Valley area. Entrepreneurship, stem, engineering, a lot of engineering aspirations in this list. So we thank congresswoman eshoo, her role as a leader on the energy and commerce committee, for her strong advocacy for many , i mean, 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 a part of the dream, the dreamer community. So we thank congresswoman eshoo also for her extraordinary leadership. Thank you. Im going to go on to he will alejandro onzalez gonzalez. His story goes, like this, mr. Speaker. I was 12 years old when i found out i was undocumented and when i found out i couldnt be a teacher like i always wanted to be because without the proper documentation i couldnt receive grants to afford a hydrocation. Plain and simple. A Higher Education. Plain and simple i had to settle for jobs that didnt allow me my full potential because i didnt have a Social Security number and didnt it was then that i started to live a life of anxiety, stress and depression, because of the uncertainty of my future and the threat of deportation. Daca was an instant relief from that. Alejandro says, since daca, ive been able to acquire the funds to go back to school. Whime some have seen daca as a form of amnesty, no, and the pledge to fight against it, it should be stated that its far from. That if anything, it is a bandaid solution addressing the needs and concerns of the millions of undocumented immigrants in this country. My plan after graduating from college consist of making Health Care Accessible to all, and giving back to the community that i love so much. There are dreams that are 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 to for a better life. My parents chose to smuggle me across the border, was irresponsible. He says. My Parents Choice to smuggle me across the border was irresponsible. But i understand why they did it. Our home country was being terrorized by poverty and drug cartels and i cant 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 the daca is just a temp rare fix to our immigration policy, its one that provides a pathway to success for millions of dreamers in the country. Well, if we were to lose daca, i hope that the new administration implemented a reform that ensures the wellbeing of dreamers. But if it didnt, i know our willing to keep fighting and progressing wont end. With or without daca, my future doesnt feel uncertain anymore. I will continue to pursue my goal of making Health Care Accessible. We arent asking for a handout. Were asking for the same opportunities to succeed in the country we call home. Thank you. Miriam writes, dont worry when youre not recognized. But strive to be worthy of recognition. Who said that . Abraham lincoln. Dont worry when youre not recognized. But strive to be worthy of recognition. Abraham lincoln. Mar yam writes, i have doctor marum write, i have carried lincolns word thruse my life. Its remain mates with me now more than ever. I was 4 years old when i was brought to this country. 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, that 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. And none of that mat fathers you dont have the right mat fathers you dont have the right matters if you dont have the right identity card. Because of daca i was able to attain a work permit and drivers license. Daca also gave met opportunity to live out my dreams. Me the opportunity to live out my dreams. I own my own photographer business. I plan to continue pursuing my as vas s a separations regardless of my status. I doctor myself lucky among others who are denied the rights granted by daca. That is why i decided to share my story. Im not looking for any kind of recognition or sympathy. But looking to make a difference and to 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 they have given so much to us, even while Political Forces threaten our daily lives. I know my story is one of many others and i speak for them when i say, we are not asking for handouts. Only for the opportunity to work hard, pay taxes like other citizens, mostly live our lives in peace and for the first time, for some of us we live in peace in the only country we call home. Before i go into other testimony, i want to recognize so many of our members 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 all lets recognize, theyre all distinguished champions on this issue. Very concerned, working very hard, working very hard for us to get a vote on the floor. A debate and a vote on the floor. Congressman carbajal of california. Freshman member. Congressman kildee of michigan. Who has leads the way with our oneminutes on the floor. Congressman bonnie Watson Coleman whose birthday was yesterday and is sharing today with us. I acknowledged her earlier. Thank you. Congressman waters. Congressman velazquez. Congressman correia of california. Congresswoman matsui of california. Congressman gowmeffs california. Congresswoman jackson lee. Now my third time to acknowledge congresswoman jackson lee. Congressman takano of california. Congressman barbara lee, i read her testimony, of her dreamer earlier. Congressman lowenthal of california. Congressman darren soto of florida. Hes been such a champion right from the start. I was down with him in a university, 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 cares deeply about dreamers. He cared deeply about dreamers. And i had confidence that he would help us and i still do. On this very important value that we share. Congress Mike Thompson of congressman Mike Thompson of california. Congressman cardenas of california. Congressman tonko of new york. Congressman alma adams of North Carolina. I mentioned congresswoman zoe lofgren. I acknowledge her. Congressman panetta, who presented testimony here. Congressman norcross of new jersey. Lots of new jersey testimony here. Congressman cartwright of pennsylvania was with us for a long while. Congressman serrano of new york. Champion all these issues, including our right to be fair and just to puerto rico. Congressman ellison, i read the testimony of his dreamer earlier. Congressman eshoo, i acknowledge her again for her extraordinary leadership. She has faith that this will happen and we pray together over it. Congressman norma torres of california whos reminding me that tomorrow is the National Prayer breakfast. Congressman ruiz of california. Congressman mcgovern, who has been with us a long time. From massachusetts. Congresswoman val demings, a new member of the judiciary committee, from florida. Congressman castro of texas. Congressman al green, houston, texas. Castro, snow. Where we had testimony from antonio. Astro, san where we had testimony from there. Congressman al green. Congressman jean green. Where are we now . Gene green. Where are we now . Congresswoman blunt rochester, who we had testimony from beautiful testimony from earlier. Congresswoman slaughter from new york. Congressman hoffman of california. Congressman mcnerney of california. Congresswoman barragan of california. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of illinois. Congressman garamendi of california. Congresswoman bonamici of oregon. Congressman congresswoman jayapal, again, i acknowledge her leadership, a member of the judiciary committee. Committee of jurisdiction for this. Congressman lewis, again, i acknowledged john lewis. Congressman cicilline, a member of the judiciary committee. Congressman juan vargas of california. They have been just extraordinary, all of them, but, 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 before coming to the floor. I tell you about the morning meeting which began at 8 00 cause when i came to the meeting i said, from 8 00 this morning until 12 00 tomorrow night is 40 hours, mr. Speaker. 40 hours. A strong biblical number. 40 years in the desert for the jews and moses. 40 years. 40 days in the desert. Christ 40 days. 40 days of lent. Important to many of us here. 40 hours as a catholic ritual, observing 40 hours. 40 hours is a number that is fraught with opportunity. Its a prayerful time, too, whether it was in the desert with christ or lent or 40 hours of religious devotion. And we should use this 40 hours. I came to the floor, as i said, when senator durbin and we sang his praises of being such a champion on this issue. I was going to come and bring my rosary blessed by the pope and talk not just one rosary, five but all three. 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, to fulfill life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Imagine founders, the pursuit of happiness, they were so wonderful. And 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 us america what we are, the home of the brave, land of the free, and also the aspiration of our children. I reiterate the statement that i made earlier. This is about the children. Its about the children. And think of it as chip. Chip is a Health Program for the children. Its handled discreetly, has broad support. Its not the whole health care bill. Its chip for the children. This is dreamers for the children. Its not the whole immigration bill. Its this. Its a confidence building step, a first step. We go to the next more complicated step of comprehensive immigration reform. We all know and thats been our legislation that were 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 responsibilities to protect our borders. To who nizes our true are in terms of being inspired by these dreamers and giving them the protections that they should have. So we want that opportunity. And 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 hes been present at every meeting we had with a large, small dreamers, friends of dreamers and the rest. Thank you for your leadership, mr. Crowley. Mr. Levin, who has also been a strong advocate, coming from michigan, he brings a heartland perspective to our discussion. Thank you, mr. Levin. Carolyn maloney from new york. Care lynn. There she is. Carolyn maloney, thank you. Of course, new yorkers think they own this issue so do we in california. But its a heartland issue as well. So im very proud of all the members who have come here but also for the work that they have done and there are many others who have been working very hard on this issue. Starting when we started our meetings at 8 00 this morning, continued in our leaders meeting, mr. Crowley and mr. Hoyer, about where we go from ere 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. You know, again, its a compromise. Ill just return to that because some people may not have heard my first statement. The budget caps agreements includes many democratic priorities. The Disaster Recovery package and dollarfordollar increases in defense and nondefense budget, democrats have secured hundreds of billions of dollars to invest in communities across america. Billions in funding to fight opioids, to strengthen our veterans. Remember what our priorities were, there were bipartisan priorities that we were fighting for, appealing for. Fighting opioids, strengthening our veterans, National Institutes of health, to create Rural Infrastructure and broadband and to fund access to childcare and quality Higher Education. So its 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 and 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. Thats our responsibility. Of all the things i thought, i thought i might be hungry, thirsty, i thought i never thought id get the sniffles from the rug. But anyway but i can handle it if you can. The honor the constitution of the United States, its so important. First branch, article 1, the legislative branch, we are the first branch of government. Nd were the peoples house. The wisdom of our founders elected us every two years to have us constantly accountable to our constituents. And the constitution says, appropriation bills should begin in the house. And so the house sent over a continuing resolution. Yesterday. It seems like a long time ago. 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 and i commend both the leaders, mr. Mcconnell and Chuck Schumer for their negotiations of 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, republican leader in the senate, gave 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. They viewed that as a fair one. Were asking for the same thing. Now, in our house the bill that our bipartisan bill is further developed. It is the hurdaguilar bill, which as i said, recognizes our responsibilities to protect our borders but also does the job for our dreamers. 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. Lets have the debate on the floor. Lets 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 cant 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. Well see what that is. Its bipartisan. We know that it will be bipartisan, and that requires a big vote, supervote in the senate. Hurdaguilar bill which has enough republican cosponsors and many more supporters to justify it being brought to the floor. So thats what were asking for is just simply a vote. No guarantee. Just the ability to debate and consider. Queen of the hill, whoever gets the most votes, thats the bill that will prevail in the house of representatives. If that be the senate bill then that will be the end of it and it would go to the president. If its the hurdaguilar, that would go to conference, as would the goodlatte bill should that get the highest number of votes. Which i dont anticipate to be the case because i dont think it will have bipartisan support. But, again, have the debate, let the chips fall where they may. So thats why were here. Since we cant that debate, all night, as i was saying my rosary, blessed by the pope, in honor of my mother, i thought say the rosary on the floor. Aha. Where can we have in debate . Maxine. Maxines bill. We have to be here for maxines bill. I will use my one minute. My leadership one minute to tell these stories, which theres so much more ell he went than anything any of us can say. But we dont 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, of doing something about it. And 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. The figures are so overwhelming. 90 want the dreamers to say. 80 with citizenship. 70 of republicans support the dreamers. So this is were not asking for something off the wall. It is something that is yeah, maybe it is off the wall. Maybe the wall is the issue here but nonetheless nonetheless, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, again, talking about those founders. A new order for the ages. Every generation taking responsibility for making the future better for the next. Every testimony talks about that. Parents making sacrifices for their children to have a better life. A direct reflection of the American Dream of hope, determination, optimism, faith, faith in god, faith in the future, faith in america, faith in families, faith in the work ethic, faith in education. All of these tms talking about giving testimonies talking about giving back, giving back. Not an ounce of arrogance anyplace. All of them appreciative of what america has given them. Sometimes naming names, other times schools, churches, but always understanding the opportunities they have are a blessing from our country and we recognize that they are a blessing to america. Ith that i will go on to who we have next . Anna sanchez. Like other beneficiaries of daca, i for one have been given the opportunity to pursue my dreams by obtaining Higher Education and a job. I am anna sanchez, an 18yearold undocumented student who was brought to this country when i was only 2 years old. Due to Living Conditions in my home country, my home 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 now it saddens me to know sorry. Now that im older i realize i am in the eyes of the government and it saddens me to know people believe these misconceptions about us. Ever since we arrived in texas my dad risked his life to work under dangerous conditions to provide enough food and shelter to my family. My family did not think twice, we all knew it was an advantage and precious opportunity the country had given us. Finally we had been given the chance to prove that we are part of this countrys future and success. Because of daca im able to say im a parttime student and staff for an after School Program. Im two steps closer to beginning a business woman and a teacher 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 begin worthless. I want to give back to this country. So i urge congress to give me that chance. We thank anna for her statement. A High School Student teacher told me people like you dont go to college. I was accepted to seven colleges after graduating with honors from emsly high Langley High School and you know i hold a b. F. A. From Memphis College of the arts as well as m. A. And m. F. A. 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 of the dream act. A bipartisan bill after the dream act. A bipartisan bill failed to reach cloture in the senate. Even though those 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 in my family to graduate from high school. Every undocumented person i knew other than two younger brothers dropped out, either because it was expected of them or because High School Diploma meant nothing to which the jobs they applied. I remember being told to get a job that pays under the table and to keep my head down. This was contrary to what my elementary and High School School teachers had taught me. Work hard and you too can make something of your life. Of course they were unaware of my status and i was unaware of the full repercussions that came with it. Everyone was excited to start college. And he goes on to talk about goes on to talk about all of that. But similar story about the sacrifices of parents, the sacrifices of parents who take the risk, parents to work hard and encourage education. Parents wanting to make the future better for their children. Its a beautiful, beautiful story. Juliana. I came to the United States for the first time when i was 11 years old. My younger sister was brought to st. Judes Childrens Research Hospital with leukemia. How beautiful. We came back three 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 us a better life. Thanks to obamas daca, i was able to work and help pay for my college education. Thanks to to obama, my sister also received health insurance, a twotime cancer survivor, she needs a lot of care and aintelligence i thought of getting up many times attention. I thought of getting up many times. Ive been afraid to tell my story because many times i feel judgment toward immigrants. Im no longer afraid. I feel that if everyone shares their stories, others will empathize and realize that we have the same story. Four years ago when i felt miloest, 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 he next few years. My doctor says youre going to be a grandparent. A grandpuppy. Thanks. Now we have nine. But that was our first grandchild was a cocker spaniel. Not a cocker spaniel. A big dog. Ok. Im extremely passionate about helping others and im 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 very darkness. Carol sheaporter is here from new jersey, as well as susan davis from katrina. Thank you for your leadership. And for from california. Thank you for your leadership and for being here. Another story from Sheila Jackson lee. Last september alonzo, a Mexican National and dreamer, drove more than 100 miles from his home to texas to help those trapped by Hurricane Harvey flooding in the houston area. He and another man disappeared after their boat cap sized in the floodswollen creek and relatives began searching for their bodies. He had moved to lofgren at age 14 from across the border, he graduated from love ken high school and worked in construction. He often organized fundraisers for those in need. A mastermind of his rescue trip to the houston area on the fly with friends help. When Hurricane Harvey hit, they borrowed a boat and drove fast to save strangers. How beautiful. Alonzo is survived by his 8yearold daughter. You are in our prayers and we thank you for sharing your father with america and for his sacrifice. How sad. Thank you. Donald paynes state of the union guest was juan lopez. Donald payne jr. From new jersey. Again, new jersey heavy in here. 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 lowincome academically Promising Students from local schools. Lopez is a senior at Newark Science Park High School and plans to attend rutgersnewark on a scholarship to study preengineering. 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. 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 . Meant an outsider. And i had never felt like one. Ive lived the entirety of my life in the same place. And im not ashamed of where im from. I embrace the term undocumented and have used it as a propeling force in my own pursuit of greatness. Imagine. His own pursuit of greatness. You go, you 17yearold hahn lopez. I am a recipient of the deferred action for childrens arrivals other known as daca. And its something im very proud of. Im a dreamer and i will continue to dream, whether it is here or wherever the government sends me. Who else do we have here . Garti. This is the opening line. I think you get married after you graduate high school. These are words my s. A. T. 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 colonel despite my top notch academic record, that i maintained since the day i entered preconsistenter garden. The only prekindergarten. The only viable option he saw for all undocumented youth was marriage. My name is jarji and im 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. My mother decided to move to america because it is where reams 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 jeffreyburgstrand, 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, theres still a lot of work to be done. Im the Second Generation of undocumented students at notre dame that notre dame has publicly send. Last summer i conducted research on medical schools admission policies for undocumented students. This research is critical for the campus Career Services when providing guidance and up to date information for current preed me mablings majors looking for medical schools that are dacafriendly. He 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. Weve talked about Health Professionals. Weve talked about researchers in the health care field. Weve talked about doctors, entists, he weve talked about graduate students and Health Related issues and the need for more Health Professionals in our country to meet the needs, our health needs of our country, and 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 administration 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, our Law Enforcement community. And the Business Community. And the Business Community tied in with the academic community. S been a tremendous resource i particularly want to mention the c. E. O. Of i. B. M. Who really i. B. M. Has been so good to its dreamers. They have respected them, given them opportunity and advocated for them, brought them to the capitol. Come here with their c. E. O. Its just really quite remarkable. But i could say that about large swath of companies in Silicon Valley, bill gates has been a champion this issue. I really give them credit for of keeping the prestige this issue in such a high, high place. And making it a priority in their advocacy here and importantly in their communities. So the Business Community has been spectacular. Both in terms of Small Business and Corporate America as well. Again, i do since we have newcomers here i want to go back to our bishop statement from earlier. Do we have that . Or do i have it . Ok, you find it. In the meantime, ill go to another one of our ok. I thought it would be useful once again, since we have a new eaker, to read the statement of the united u. S. Conference of catholic bishops. This was their statement on the decision to end daca and urge congress to find legislative solutions. That is what were 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 ishops, president Cardinal Daniel d. Of houston, along with ofe president bishop, bishop austin, texas, who is the chairman of the committee on migration and Bishop Joseph tyson of yakama, chairman of Pastoral Care of migrants, refugees an travelers, says the cancellation of daca programs is reprehensible. The statement follows. The cancellation of the daca program is reprehensible. It causes unnecessary fear for daca use and users and their youth and their families. These youth entered the United States as their minors and now know america as their only home. The Catholic Church has long watched with pride and admiration as daca youth live out their dive lives and hope daily lives with the hope and 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. These decisions are unacceptable and do not reflect who we are as americans, the bishop said. They go on to say the church has recognized and proclaimed the need welcome young people. Whoever welcomes one of these now, this quote is so beautiful and we should remember it in everything we do. Its 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 welcome back we welcome christ, we welcome god. So beautiful. Bishops go on to say, today our nation is done the opposite how scripture calls on us to respond. Its set back from the progress we need to make as a country. Todays actions represent a heartbreaking moment in our history that chose the absence of mercy and good will. And a shortsighted vision of the future. Daca

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