Originally Posted by Swim19

Revised letter based on my suggestions. Everyone continue to offer suggestions, edits, etc. I bolded a few additional parts that I think should be reworded:

To our Senators, Representatives, and the media,

This is a response to the events that took place on September 18, 2017 in San Francisco, CA. where a group of activists interrupted Congresswoman Pelosi’s Press Conference regarding DACA. We strongly condemn these tactics and they do not represent the Dreamer movement.

Congresswoman Pelosi is one of the many US Senators and Congressmen that are fighting for a permanent solution to the Dreamer dilemma, the DREAM Act.

Several activist groups have taken a position of “11 million or nothing” or “Clean DREAM Act or nothing” which quite frankly is shortsighted and naïve. We understand the anger, uncertainty and fear that the cancellation of DACA has sparked within us, but we must channel that energy to get support, not interrupt or yell nonsense at our allies.

In a perfect world, Congress would come together and pass comprehensive immigration reform that would overhaul the many flaws in our immigration system and fix the status of our undocumented population.

Unfortunately, the current political climate is not ideal to tackle everything at once. Comprehensive immigration reform proposals have failed in the past because both parties don’t trust each other. Many in the Republicans Party will not allow any legalization. They believe our unsecured border does not guarantee that people will not be able to come here unlawfully, while many in the Democratic Party will not sign off on anything that creates a deportation force.

Standalone options to help Dreamers have not fared any better. The failure to pass the original DREAM Act 16 years ago and most recent bills can be attributed to the same stalemate. President Obama saw the situation as an opportunity to institute DACA, give the Dreamers hope and force politicians to do something in the future. That future is now.

DACA currently covers 800,000 young Dreamers. The program has provided us with the opportunity to obtain jobs, attend school and to pursue careers that have a positive impact in American society (instead of society maybe we should use the word economy?). DACA recipients are not eligible for food stamps, Medicare, federal financial aid or other federal benefits.

At the moment, we don’t know the details in the border security package about to be introduced in congress. However, we strongly support legislation that offers the Dream Act and secures the border in a smart way. Not with a useless 2000 mile concrete wall, but with a mix of technology and manpower. (this sentence sounds awkward when read...) We do not support a deportation force that will rip apart our families and will create suffering in the immigrant community.

We strongly encourage other dreamer groups to be respectful. We are now standing in front of the greatest opportunity to kick start immigration reform in three decades. A Dream Act and border security deal is without a doubt a small but smart step to break the immigration reform stalemate.

Dreamers are extremely thankful for the opportunities that this beautiful country has given us. We look forward to continue to contribute to this amazing society. (not sure if 'amazing society is best choice of words?)


God bless the United States of America,

- The Dreamers

The Dream Act Portal currently has 82,180 members throughout the United States.