Ramirez, Garcia, Davis, and Local Officials Hold Oversight Hearing on Pathways to Citizenship for DACA, Undocumented Immigrants

Chicago, IL - Today, in commemoration of the 14th anniversary of DACA, Congressmembers Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) and Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), co-leads of the American Dream and Promise Act, joined by Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07) and local public officials, held an oversight hearing on the urgent need to deliver, protect, and expand pathways to citizenship for DACA and undocumented immigrants. During the field hearing, the officials heard testimony from witnesses directly impacted by the Trump administration's policies, including DACA recipients and undocumented immigrants, as well as from local experts on the citizenship process.

"For more than a year, the Trump administration has waged a war against our communities, trying to define who gets to be an American and who gets to experience the promise of safety and refuge. They have questioned birthright citizenship, trampled on our civil rights, terrorized our communities, murdered our neighbors, and imprisoned our loved ones. And even as the Trump administration turns asylum into a new money-making scheme through their golden visas, they are also attacking every program providing protected status and relief from deportation for immigrants, including Temporary Protected Status and DACA," said Congresswoman Ramirez.

"It is more imperative than ever that Congress finally affirm that our immigrant families are seen, valued, and integral to our communities. We must win a path to citizenship. That is why I am proud to co-lead the Dream and Promise Act, which will provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders. Because home is here, and each of our immigrant neighbors is part of the fabric of our nation," Ramirez added.

"DACA was born out of the failure of politicians to come together and pass the DREAM Act despite enormous public support, and the program has been under relentless assault by the Republicans every day since its creation. Yet DACA became a success story. It has stood the test of time and provided relief for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers," said Congressman García. "But as the Trump Administration expands its attacks, it's clear that DACA is not enough and we still need to pass real relief, including a pathway to citizenship. Today, I say to all the DACA recipients and their families: we stand with you and we will keep fighting back against these attacks, and finally build an immigration system that respects your dignity and your humanity."

"I want to thank Representative Ramirez for calling this hearing and for keeping the spotlight on the whole question of Immigration. DACA is one of the issues that has been on the back burner for many members of Congress. But how in the world, and why, should individuals who know this country, who have spent all of their time in this country, be denied citizenship and Deferred Action? It's ridiculous. Individuals don't know other countries, and so the only home that they really know is the United States of America," said Congressman Davis. "I will continue to support as I have for all of my adult life the greatest expansion that can occur in this country so that America does become an open door. America does provide a chance, a golden opportunity for each one of us to be and to become whatever it is that our training, manhood, womanhood, ambition, and hard work will combine to make us."

State Senator Karina Villa and Cook County Commissioner Jessica Vásquez were also in attendance.

"I sit here with the most important title I've had, and that is 'Ms. Villa.' I was a school social worker for 15 years, and I heard stories that would break people's hearts. I will never forget a student who came into my office and 'Ms. Villa, I just found out I am undocumented. Ms. Villa, what would I do?' Those words, I'll never forget, and they haunt me to this day because that student was unable to qualify for DACA because of their birthday," said Senator Villa before asking panelists to explain how the lack of action on DACA and the failure of the program have impacted communities.

"We need a pathway to citizenship, and we need it immediately. No one should have to prove their worth to live a safe and dignified life. I am grateful to our Congresspeople and local electeds who are working so hard to ensure that we do not continue to put our communities in this limbo. We must win comprehensive reform, and we must also push for protections for our Black and Brown communities that are also facing attacks from this federal government," said Commissioner Vázquez.

The hearing included the testimonies of:

• Melanny (alias), DACA recipient, higher education worker
• Sam Lee (alias), DACA recipient, healthcare worker
• Quique (alias), DACA recipient, paralegal
• Laura (alias) - Undocumented Student
• Jocelyn Aranda-Ortiz - Deportation Defense Organizer
• Elizabeth Cervantes, ICIRR Board Member

"DACA opened doors, but it was never a pathway to citizenship. Fourteen years later, immigrant communities are still waiting for the permanent solution we were promised," said Melanny.

"Immigrants work in hospitals, schools, childcare, restaurants, and many other places that are essential to our society and economy. But we are more than just our labor and the taxes we pay - we build community and support people where systems fail. Our immigrant communities are under attack, and we need a permanent solution. We need a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, and we need it right now. I call on Congress to fight for our neighbors by passing the Registry Act and abolishing ICE. Every person deserves dignity and has the right to belong," said Sam Lee.

"As a DACA recipient myself, I feel as though I have been forced to live life with my hands tied, knowing that despite earning a college degree and obtaining a job, I still lack stability and agency, and that what I've worked for can all be taken away in the blink of an eye. Pero seguimos luchando, y aunque agüitados, mantenemos la fe, porque no lo hacemos por nosotros sino por los que queremos más, porque sin ellos, no tendríamos las bendiciones que tenemos ya", said Quique. "Today is actually about more than just DACA. It's also about the communities left out. The parents. The siblings. The neighbors and family who never qualified. We're fighting for a future in which we're ALL protected. Where all working families -including immigrant families- have the stability we all deserve.Because Freedom and democracy are not a zero-sum game, and our parents are no less deserving of a pathway to citizenship than DACA recipients."

"Our communities should not have to rely on temporary programs that can be stripped away at any moment. We should not have to prove our worth again and again just to exist without fear. What we need is permanent, lasting protection, and that is citizenship for all. Because dignity should not come with an expiration date. Safety should not be conditional. And no one should have to be "lucky" to be treated as human," said Jocelyn Aranda-Ortiz.

"When President Obama listened to immigrant youth organizers in 2012 by creating DACA, he said, 'These kids deserve to plan their lives in more than two-year increments.' That was true then as it is now - except today, even the youngest DACA holders are adults. And the larger truth is that all 11 million undocumented persons who call this country home deserve to stay, because truly thriving communities happen only when everyone belongs," said Elizabeth Cervantes, ICIRR Board Member. "ICIRR remains steadfast in this endeavor, fueled by people every day meeting the moment, and working to make Illinois a place where EVERYONE is safe and cared for. There is a promise of certain unalienable rights guaranteed to all and protected by the Constitution of the United States of America, regardless of the message this administration wants everyone to believe. And we will fight and take care of US until everyone sees that promise unfold."

The hearing comes at a time when DACA is under attack, including a recent Justice Department decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals that would make it easier to deport DACA recipients. It will complement same-day mobilization activities in Washington, D.C., highlighting local stories and the Congresswoman's work to bring the Dream and Promise Act to the floor.

To read the full testimonies of witnesses, CLICK HERE.

To watch the live stream of the hearing, CLICK HERE.

To watch the live stream of the press conference,CLICK HERE.

For photos of the event, CLICK HERE.

Background:

In February, 2025, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez led 200+ colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Under the Trump Administration, DACA has been attacked. In April, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) made a decision that makes Dreamers even more vulnerable by allowing ICE to begin removal proceedings, effectively rendering their DACA protections obsolete. As of January 2026, there were over 260 documented arrests of DACA recipients, and 174 recipients were deported.