Rep. Cisneros Leads 60+ Colleagues in Letter to Republican Leadership Championing Legislation to Support Dreamers

Washington, DC - Rep. Gil Cisneros led 63 colleagues in a letter to Republican leadership in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients commonly referred to as Dreamers. The letter urges Republican leadership not to obstruct legislation that protects Dreamers from work authorization lapses and the threat of deportation, including through a permanent, codified legal status.

"Our country's Dreamers are hard-working members of our communities that want to make an impact in the only home they have ever known," said Rep. Gil Cisneros. "Right now, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications are facing significant processing delays due to administrative inefficiencies at USCIS. This failure of leadership is forcing Dreamers out of the workforce and placing them at risk of deportation. It is cruel and unjust, and it needs to end now. My colleagues and I have previously introduced legislation to support Dreamers, but they've all been blocked by Republicans. It is past time for Republican leadership to do what's right and protect Dreamers by ensuring timely renewals and working toward permanent status, for the stability of our workforce, and for the security of families nationwide."

Rep. Gil Cisneros previously co-led the reintroduction of legislation for a program that would allow DACA recipients to serve in the United States military and provide them a pathway toward U.S. citizenship after their service. He also joined his colleagues in introducing the American Dream and Promise Act and has signed the discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor.

Full text of the letter is available here.

Rep. Cisneros is a Navy Veteran and the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, Subcommittee on Military Personnel and Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations. Rep. Cisneros is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.

###