Founder
@ImproveTheDream
. Advocating for Documented Dreamers who grow up in the U.S, but age out at 21. Everyone who grew up here deserves a path to citizenship
"There just hasn't been enough attention to this particular flaw in the immigration system. We're finally at a point where people are recognizing that this is an issue that really needs fixing."
The time to
#ImproveTheDream
is now!
In light of recent comments from former President Trump,
@SenSchumer
should put a bill on the floor of the Senate that provides green cards to all U.S. college graduates.
Cannot describe with words how it feels to see something we've worked so hard and for so long for, pass the House.
One step closer, for a better future for ourselves and our country!
.
@RepDeborahRoss
and
@RepMMM
's bipartisan amendment to protect children of long-term visa holders from aging out has passed as a part of En Bloc 4!
Passage of this makes it clear that keeping American raised talent here is important for our prosperity and national security.
California state law allows students who grow up in the state with an undocumented status, to receive in state tuition through the “California Dream Act,” but excludes immigrants with lawful status from qualifying. How does this make sense?
Arizona did the same thing last year.
“Welcome to the United States.”
After 19 years, my parents finally became “permanent residents.”
It’ll be a quarter century of working and owning a small business before they become citizens.
Despite the struggles, I’m grateful they brought us here.
Story of a Documented Dreamer who will not qualify for the reconciliation bill, despite living in the United States for 14 years and attending elementary school through college here.
@HouseJudiciary
must fix this oversight.
I'm so proud of Athulya's courage and incredibly moving testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Her story shows the importance of acting immediately to permanently end aging out and fix other flaws in our system so no one else faces this again.
Out of nearly 500k H1b applicants this year, 75% were rejected by luck.
Many rejections were Documented Dreamers who are raised and educated in the United States and had only this last chance to be able to stay.
We need to permanently end aging out and
#ImproveTheDream
!
Eagle act helps make the system more fair. It isn’t perfect, and it does not actually end backlogs, but makes it more equitable, while improving process.
Those opposed due to lack of GC increase should have confidence in getting that done in the next decade (transition period).
Eagle Act should be passed today in the House. While not perfect, it makes our immigration system more fair.
It fails in properly achieving immediate and permanent age out protections and for those who have aged out, but improves the status quo.
The economic case is clear, the moral case is clear, and it’s common sense. With bipartisan support, this must be prioritized in any executive action consideration.
Thank you
@SenAlexPadilla
,
@RepDeborahRoss
, and
@RepMMM
for leading 45 members of Congress on this urgent letter.
We appreciate
@SenAlexPadilla
,
@RepDeborahRoss
, and
@RepMMM
leading dozens of bipartisan members of Congress on a letter to the administration asking for urgent action to protect children of long term visa holders and individuals with approved petitions.
There are backlogs for visas. Backlogs for greencard. More backlogs for processing them. And roadblocks to even access the backlog.
Meanwhile, many of these immigrants have already resided here for decades and want to make even greater contributions here.
It's painful to see
@DHSgov
cite me and others in the final DACA rule, indicating they've clearly heard us, but continue to do nothing about it.
Exclusion from DACA and a complete inaction on the number of other administrative policy changes that could help many. Dissapointing.
The final rule included many comments citing the unjust exclusion of Documented Dreamers, who have no work authorization and face self-deportation at 21.
"The whole situation is something that most people don't really know even exists: that it's possible for an immigrant child to be brought here legally, do all their education here, but still not have a chance to become an American."
On the day they turn 21, thousands of young immigrants will no longer be protected by the work visas that allowed their parents to come to the United States. After living in the US almost all their lives, they could be deported.
.
@HouseDemocrats
voted against an amendment that would have included children of long term visa holders who have grown up in the USA on E2, H1b, and other visas. These kids are in the same situation as DACA kids.
3 Republican Yeas, 8 Democratic Nays. Absolutely hypocritical.
I am grateful to have met and advocated alongside my amazing friends. The passion with which they shared their stories was truly inspiring.
Together, we are going to
#ImproveTheDream
for all of us!
It means a lot to see Senator
@RoyBlunt
support us and our effort to
#ImproveTheDream
.
I completed my PharmD in Missouri and consider it my second home (after Illinois). After years of outreach, last week, we met Senator Blunt.
This week, he cosponsored America's Children Act.
"An especially painful aspect of the H-1B experience is that dependent children, “Documented Dreamers,” are often forced to self-deport."-
@CongressmanRaja
@RepDeborahRoss
We need a permanent solution for all in the backlog and for all who have aged out!
Story of an Iowa student who will be forced to self-deport due to systematic failure of our
#immigration
system, including the
#gcbacklog
, lack of age-out protections for Documented Dreamers, and the processing delays for change of status to become an international student.
Interesting response from senior
@WhiteHouse
official to the press, showing a lack of understanding on the stated question, as well as disregard for it.
A proper response would be to at least acknowledge the mentioned problem and express a follow up.
Heritage: "When the system is overrun by illegal border crossings and fraud asylum claims, it is those waiting on legally filed applications who are hurt."
Also Heritage: So let's force out children waiting on legally filed applications.
Did you actually read the amendment?
Muhil has lived in the U.S. for nearly 20 years, but her future in this country is uncertain because of our broken immigration laws.
“If I left the country, I don’t know when I’d be able to come back.”
Her story is just one example and a reminder that
#ImmigrationFuelsGrowth
.
Jade self-deported 3 months after this meeting with the Senator. He was surprised a child of a long-term lawful resident would actually be forced to leave.
I don't blame him. Most Americans think the same.
But I trust his instinct: Let's bring Jade back.
I’m not undocumented and I’m not eligible for DACA. But like most DACA recipients and many other Dreamers, my future in this country is uncertain and I don’t have a clear way to adjust status and gain permanent residency. (1/3)
The Reconciliation Package must include relief for the 1.2 million high-skilled immigrants who have been unable to get a green card due to country-based discrimination. I'm sending a letter to
@SpeakerPelosi
&
@SenSchumer
asking for these provisions.
Praneetha attended elementary, middle, high school, and university in the United States. She now works for a top company helping with artificial intelligence.
Despite being raised and educated lawfully, she faces leaving the country next month.
"Our current immigration laws allow children to be legally brought, raised and educated in America—only to be forced out once they turn 21."
My interview with Stuart Anderson of
@NFAPResearch
for
@Forbes
:
Hundreds of thousands of families are stuck in decades long family and employment based green card backlogs.
Any bill improving this situation is a positive change to the status quo, and as such, EAGLE Act would be an improvement to our current immigration system.
Our statement for the record in support of
@HouseJudiciary
markup of EAGLE Act:
While it falls short in permanently ending aging out (no immediate protections/excludes aged-out children), removing per-country caps make our immigration system more fair.
"I don’t think people who originally wrote the laws foresaw a situation where children brought here on visas would be raised and educated here, but not have a clear opportunity to stay and become Americans."
It is time to
#ImproveTheDream
!
Children who grew up in the U.S. under the protection of their parents’ temporary visas do not qualify for the DACA program, and risk losing their legal status when they turn 21. They are urging the Biden administration to act on an immigration overhaul.
.
@SecMayorkas
: “I will consult with
@USCISDirector
and get back with you.”
Looking forward to this.
This and other related actions the agency possesses authority for can significantly improve the lives of thousands.
"Why has
@USCIS
not adopted a priority date retention policy given that the Supreme Court determined the agency possesses this authority?"
Thank you,
@RepDeborahRoss
, for highlighting the urgent need to protect children of long-term visa holders to
@SecMayorkas
.
This is very disappointing from
@DHSgov
.
DACA has helped thousands of Dreamers and for that reason, I am very glad it exists to protect the most vulnerable who have grown up here.
However, it has to be one of the most unjust and nonsensical immigration policies to exist.
New proposed DACA rule continues to exclude children who were in a lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012.
Documented Dreamers have no work authorization while growing up and no protection from deportation after aging out.
@DHSgov
must change this.
Would be strange if Athulya and over 200,000 children of legal immigrants facing self-deportation are not included in pathway to citizenship for over 2 million dreamers (effort of
@SenatorSinema
/
@SenThomTillis
).
The urgency is as dire and already has bipartisan support to pass.
Despite broad bipartisan support for inclusion in the NDAA, age out protections for children of long-term visa holders were not included.
This is a commonsense policy that most Americans assume is already reality.
Congress should pass this in any upcoming bill.
“The immigration system wouldn’t care that we had lived here legally, for 20 years. Magic. It’s like we were never here!“
A wonderful article by Julie, which describes why it is necessary to create a pathway for American raised and educated children.
Thank you
@RepDeborahRoss
for leading this important letter!
Your continuous strong support will be a reason why thousands of Dreamers won't fall through the cracks of our immigration system.
This is the year!!
NEW: I led my House colleagues in urging Congressional leadership to include a permanent path to residency for Documented Dreamers in any upcoming budget reconciliation bill. Documented Dreamers grow up in this country, go to school here, & contribute significantly to our nation.
.
@SecMayorkas
testified he cares about children of long term visa holders and will follow up vigilantly.
Meanwhile,
@DHSgov
has put a key proposed rule at risk by delaying it for over a year:
They must publish it immediately for a final rule this year.
Thank you,
@SenatorDurbin
!
We would like a permanent solution through Congress, but as we await that, the Biden administration should use the same tools being used for others to protect children of long term visa holders and long term residents with approved petitions.
These children are as American as any of us. But aging out of “dependent” status forces many to leave the United States.
The Biden Administration should allow these children to remain with their families in the United States while we push for a permanent fix in Congress.
Congress needs to include age out protections for children of long term visa holders in the end of the year omnibus.
Most Americans cannot understand how this situation is even possible and feel if existing law is allowing it, those laws need to be updated to prevent it.
Garion Mulder grew up in South Dakota and Minnesota. Despite coming to the US legally at age 3, he will be forced to self deport for the second time in 2 months.
“What do I do to use the skills I’ve learned and put them to use where I want to be.”
Thousands of talented young people like Dwarkesh, who have been raised and educated in the United States with lawful status are being faced with leaving the country.
Thousands leave every year.
Kicking us out only hurts America. Time to pass America’s Children Act.
My family moved to the US when I was 8, but by the time I turned 20, my dad was still on an H1B (waiting to get processed for a green card).
Once I turned 21, I would age out as his dependent, despite the fact that I basically grew up in the US.
I thought I'd have to become a
"Something that most people aren't aware of is that it's possible for an immigrant child to be brought here legally, raised and educated here, but still not have a way to stay or a path to citizenship."
Thank you
@FoxNews
,
@BretBaier
, and
@DavidSpunt
for this important segment!
Thousands of legal immigrant children who are raised and educated in America face self-deportation due to loopholes. A bipartisan fix would prevent them from falling through cracks in our system and strengthen national security.
@TheDipPatel
and
@RepMMM
join
@FoxNews
@BretBaier
.
It is heartbreaking to see documented Dreamers having to self-deport due to terrible legislative flaws.
Let's not create injustice while trying to create justice for Dreamers.
#AllChildren
deserve equal protection and path to citizenship.
#ImproveTheDream
"In so many ways, I’m like the typical Dreamers you’ve heard about — my parents brought me here when I was 2 years old, and America is the only home I can remember. Strangely, due to my parents maintaining legal status, I am disqualified from solutions."
A friendly reminder for
@DHSgov
that they can refer
@TheJusticeDept
and the Attorney General to redecide the BIA decision in Matter of Wang, which would allow many children who age out to retain their existing priority date.
Easy administrative lift backed by the Supreme Court.
"Why has
@USCIS
not adopted a priority date retention policy given that the Supreme Court determined the agency possesses this authority?"
Thank you,
@RepDeborahRoss
, for highlighting the urgent need to protect children of long-term visa holders to
@SecMayorkas
.
The administration can also easily do this for children of long term visa holders who age out.
Congress has reaffirmed the administration’s authority on this and children of long term visa holders meet both the humanitarian and significant public benefit criteria.
USCIS has rolled out parole programs for Colombia, Ecuador, Central America, Haiti, and Cuba. And the CHNV parole process.
We need a parole program for Indians with approved I-140 forms and their families to protect and attract highly skilled immigrants.
Unfortunately needs to be said:
Children of long term visa holders who age out or lose status leave the country to avoid becoming undocumented in more than 99% of cases.
Actions like the D3 waiver for daca recipients and dreamers cannot be claimed as also helping age outs.
While I expect us to be included in the reconciliation bill, the responses given by
@PressSec
over the past two days are disappointing.
I urge the
@WhiteHouse
to issue a statement in support of immediate action by
@DHSgov
and for our inclusion in the reconciliation bill.
"Is the White House looking at action to help Documented Dreamers? Will it show up in the reconciliation bill?"
@PressSec
: "It's not in the current discussions."
Why not? All children who are raised and educated in America are Dreamers and must be included.
@JudiciaryDems
There is no reason the administration should not do this.
The legal authority, historical precedent and moral necessity are all there.
It is time for action.
Put another way — you can’t make any moral argument for giving parole and EADs to hundreds of thousands of people who have never been here before and yet keep forcing high-skilled immigrants who have been here for decades to be trapped working for only one employer. Shame!!
There is often a rule many advocates seem to want to follow where an immigration policy change shouldn’t hurt another group of people.
Well without a corresponding, parallel action, the chances of a child of a legal immigrant who grew up here self deporting will go up today.
Grateful for the leadership shown by
@SenThomTillis
and
@SenatorSinema
. Any solution that helps so many deserving individuals should be passed.
However, it would be nonsensical to exclude a pathway for children who meet all requirements except **for being undocumented.**
Big news:
Sen. Thom Tillis and Kyrsten Sinema have reached a deal on a framework of immigration reforms:
*Protections for 2 million Dreamers
*New resources to speed processing asylum seekers
*Fast removal of migrants who don't qualify
More details here:
This is a story of a Documented Dreamer whose upcoming self-deportation is completely preventable.
1. Did not qualify for DACA because of requirement to be undocumented.
2. Admin has not taken ANY action to protect Documented Dreamers, despite multiple possibilities.
@RepDeborahRoss
@ImproveTheDream
@BrentRenison
My son's application (I-485) to Adjust status to LPR was denied because of ageout. Now my son has to self deport by end of March 2022.
@USCISDirector
it is the time to make policy changes to use Date of Filing rather than FAD.
The only reason immigration reform can't pass, especially common sense reform dealing with the legal immigration system, is that people lie like this and people believe it.
This is absolutely false.
Thank you
@PabloReports
. It's been a several year journey, but the community of Documented Dreamers we've built along the way is more motivated than ever to keep fighting!
Definitely won't stop until we
#ImproveTheDream
for all of us.
It is notable that no one seems to be getting rich in the green card backlog advocacy movement.
@TheDipPatel
for example, does no fundraising, works as a pharmacist by day, and has somehow broken through moonlighting with his
@ImproveTheDream
group.
Over 1600 children of long term visa holders raised and educated in Wisconsin are affected and could be forced to leave.
Thousands of families in the state and around the country will continue facing barriers without change.
We joined Wisconsin State lawmakers, who led a bipartisan letter to the Wisconsin Congressional delegation in support of the bipartisan America’s Children Act.
Communities across America are losing American raised and educated young people every day. The time for action is now.
I’m happy for the many American families who will be helped.
But on the point of “allowing more young people to contribute to our economy,” parallel actions are necessary to ensure children of legal immigrants who are being kicked out of the country can stay.
The President is announcing new actions for people who have been here many years to keep American families together and allow more young people to contribute to our economy.
Proud to work on these actions.
In celebrating the 12 year DACA anniversary, I hope
@POTUS
and
@WhiteHouse
can recognize and rectify that thousands of children of legal immigrants who were left out for not being undocumented, have since been forced to leave the country. And others are still without an EAD.
The measures, the sources said, could be announced as early as Tuesday, but a plan has not been finalized by the administration. White House officials are preparing to host an event Tuesday to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the DACA policy for DREAMers.
Roshan should be here in the United States.
Whether it takes legislative action or administrative action, there is no reason the U.S. should force an American raised and educated person to self deport and use his talent for the same company in another country.
Roshan was forced to self-deport from the United States the day after this was filmed, despite having grown up here with a lawful status.
He works for a semiconductor company, which will now employ him in another country.
The US lost a taxpayer, he lost his family and his home.
Congressman
@AnthonySabatini
, I appreciate your service to our nation and military. But this is pure ignorance.
If you're willing, I'd love to meet with you and discuss this issue.
This is a story from my friend
@KulkarniAnagh
.
200k documented Dreamers like him will be disqualified from the
#DreamAct
only because their parents maintained status.
It is time to end ridiculous exclusions that defy logic.
Fix it.
@DickDurbin
@LindseyGrahamSC
"Despite what their papers say, there's nothing more American than believing in this country even when its government is treating you unfairly. Let's give them a chance to stay in the place they love and call home."
Thank you,
@RepDeborahRoss
, for being our champion!
200,000 Documented Dreamers live on the brink of deportation & will be forced to self-deport without legislative or regulatory action. This is both a moral failing & an act against our country’s future. We must protect these young Dreamers.
My op-ed ⬇
National origin discrimination for any issue is completely wrong.
But unknown to many, it exists in our immigration system. And it is one of the primary root causes resulting in children who age out of the system.
@ImproveTheDream
@TheDipPatel
Compelling story. One correction..
It's not just "Because of our broken immigration system" but also "Because of our broken immigration system and national origin discrimination" which we need to keep highlighting if we don't want anyone else in the future to be discriminated
Heartbreaking story.
Every day, over 10 young adults face the prospect of self-deportation after having spent the majority of their life growing up in the United States.
It is time to
#ImproveTheDream
and end the
#GCbacklog
.
I've heard some use weird reasoning against age out protections: creating new protections or pathways for us doesn't make sense since current law does not allow certain relief.
Isn't that the point of any change in law: To make changes, improve, or fix a previously unfair rule?
"The Obama-era policy [DACA] reinstated by President Joe Biden is only open to undocumented Dreamers. Those who have maintained legal status are excluded under current policy."
It doesn't have to be this way.
@POTUS
and
@DHSgov
can fix this if they want.
How will forcing out children of legal immigrants who have grown up here help to "secure the border?"
If your argument is there should be no legal immigration at all in America, make that clear. But please don't lie to viewers that an amendment is giving amnesty when it doesn't.
The irony in this situation is that he would have been protected by DACA had he been without lawful status in 2012.
@DHSgov
had the opportunity to fix this unjust policy and they didn't.
At the least, they should immediately make the subregulatory changes that are possible.
Another Documented Dreamer will need to self-deport due to a restrictive interpretation of CSPA by the administration.
This student's particular situation is completely preventable through a simple policy change from
@DHSgov
,
@USCISDirector
. They must act now.
"As I do my small part to confront injustice within our system, I feel more American than ever, and my love for my country has only deepened. Even if I never become an American on paper, I know I’ll always be one at heart."
@PareenMhatre
for
@TeenVogue
Many policies on a local, state, and federal level have historically excluded children of visa holders.
We are on a mission to bring equity and to change this across the country for our community.
It doesn't make sense, and I'm confident we will be successful.
Our California liaison, Eva Sinha, shares her story and explains why she's leading our effort to extend in-state tuition to Documented Dreamers in California.
Currently, undocumented noncitizens qualify due to
#AB540
(CA Dream Act), but it excludes documented noncitizens.
Congress missed an opportunity to fix this last year with the bipartisan age out protections and America’s Children Act.
Thousands like Muhil will continue to be forced to self-deport if this doesn’t change.
My name is Muhil, and I first came to the United States when I was 2 years old. Despite living here lawfully for two decades, I did not receive my green card with my family because I aged out.
The consequences of DACA ending are great and it needs to be addressed urgently.
Similarly, the consequences of not having a protection program for children with a lawful status in place in the first place point to a similarly urgent issue, perhaps even greater.
The discriminatory per country caps should end, but do we just forget about children who aged out because of the same per country caps?
Until the green card backlog is addressed, why shouldn't children be protected from aging out? (1/11)
I am very sympathetic to all of the stories about kids aging out because of green card backlogs. But the people who describe these stories without immediately trying to solve the actual cause of the problem —discriminatory country caps — are not doing anyone any favors.
It is the broken system leading to that "victimization," not our parents. And it should be corrected by ensuring our laws allow children that are raised and educated here to stay and contribute to America.
Most Americans likely assume such policy already exists.
Everyone who grows up in America deserves an opportunity to apply for citizenship.
Everyone who grows up in America deserves an opportunity to apply for citizenship.
Everyone who grows up in America deserves an opportunity to apply for citizenship.
Our country's broken
#immigration
system affects people from all over the world.
Meet Sonia, a daughter of immigrants from Poland and Pakistan, who faces self-deportation after growing up and spending two decades in America with a documented status:
"Most Americans aren't aware that it is possible for an immigrant child to be brought here at a young age, be educated and raised here and still have no clear path to citizenship."
Bizarre:
U.S. allows self sponsorship for a “national interest waiver” green card by meeting national importance criteria.
Since the petition approval doesn’t come with an EAD, many in gc backlog will never get to execute the proposal already deemed nationally significant.
Yes, they are "abiding by the law and leaving," but should that be the case?
By kicking us out, America is not only losing our economic contributions, but it loses the very children it raised and educated.
When current laws don't make sense, they deserve to be changed.
They are not "self-deporting," they are abiding by the law and leaving as required, as you pointed out in your tweet. The law they agreed to follow on the condition of them being admitted into the U.S. in the first place.
Jade and I first connected over four years ago and we’ve become friends since. It is very saddening to see her leave.
We have to bring back Jade and the thousands of other who have had to unfairly self-deport after growing up in America.
What is America gaining from this?
After spending nearly 20 years in America with lawful status, Jade is self-deporting today to a country she hasn't lived in since age 5.
It is time to
#ImproveTheDream
and permanently end aging out.
It's clear that most people who know the facts agree that children of long-term visa holders who grow up in the United States should have a chance to stay.
US citizens share their thoughts on American raised and educated children being forced to leave the country after aging out.
"It does not make sense to me."
Earlier this week, Laurens' father had a kidney transplant to treat his cancer. Laurens is unable to be with him because he was forced out of the country.
Laurens should be allowed to stay and work in Iowa with his family, where he has spent his entire life. (1/4)
“The U.S. is my home… and I want to live here and contribute to my community in Iowa.”
Laurens’ story exemplifies how
#ImmigrationFuelsGrowth
and demonstrates the dire need to bring our immigration system into the 21st century.
So proud of my friend
@PareenMhatre
for this powerful testimony.
She represented the voices of over 200,000 Documented Dreamers perfectly.
Thank you to
@HouseJudiciary
for giving us this voice.
The time to
#ImproveTheDream
is now!
Excluding nonimmigrant visa holders from pathways to citizenship for Dreamers and others makes no sense.
It's a real shame that a bill attempting to create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million+, still tries to explicitly deny that right to certain children who grew up here.
Unfortunate correction:
The US Citizenship Act of 2021 excludes documented dreamers if they were in a nonimmigrant status.
This is a huge drafting error and must be fixed in markup.
#ImproveTheDream
Thank you
@Sen_JoeManchin
for your support and for these pictures.
@ImproveTheDream
looks forward to working with you to ensure a permanent solution for all Dreamers.
This regulation has been slated for publication since 2022. It includes an important regulatory update that can help some children of long term visa holders who age out.
Unfortunately,
@DHSgov
has delayed action. If they don’t publish this proposed rule soon, it is at risk of
We appreciate
@RepJayapal
leading a bipartisan group urging
@DHSgov
and
@USCIS
for immediate publication of the proposed AOS regulation, which includes compelling circumstances EAD for some children of long term visa holders who age out.
It frustrates me that Muhil would have better protection if she had lost her status in 2012 (DACA excluded her).
It’s time for USCIS to rectify that and grant compelling circumstance EAD to those who age out + support deferred action on a case by case basis for this population.
My name is Muhil, and I first came to the United States when I was 2 years old. Despite living here lawfully for two decades, I did not receive my green card with my family because I aged out.
Athulya's powerful testimony can create history and ensure no one else has to go through the same struggles in the future.
Thankful for this bipartisan commitment and looking forward to working with Senators
@JohnCornyn
,
@SenatorDurbin
, and
@SenAlexPadilla
.
Fedora Castelino grew up in North Carolina since age 6. She is now a sophomore at
@UofSC
studying neuroscience. She wants to serve in the armed forces as a child neurologist officer in the Army Medical Corps.
shows just how complex obtaining permanent residency is in the U.S.
Even when one is fully qualified, unknown obstacles present themselves.
Ironically, as hard as this game will turn out to be for most people, for many it is still easier than real life.
The
@CatoInstitute
just launched : an interactive online platform to allow Americans to experience the difficulties of obtaining legal permanent residence in the U.S. from an immigrant’s perspective. See if you can win!
#greencardgame
“This bill already has sponsorship from dozens of lawmakers in both parties and both chambers of Congress – including all four of Iowa’s House representatives and Sen. Joni Ernst. I'm hopeful Sen. Chuck Grassley will join a unified Iowan effort to fix this issue.”-Laurens
"America has been my home since I was 7 years old. But today, I find myself penning this op-ed from Belgium, forced out of my home of nearly two decades."- Laurens van Beek for
@USATODAY
Laurens testified before
@SenateBudget
earlier this month.
“If I’m ever denied over non-immigrant intent, the advocacy will have been worth it." 💯
It is ridiculous to expect children who grew up in America, often brought here as young as a few months old, to prove "non-immigrant intent" by showing ties to their birth country.
Every single year, thousands of legal immigrants raised here as children have to claw their way through years of endless bureaucracy to avoid getting out of the country when they turn 21. Many still get kicked out eventually. Read more here
@BulwarkOnline
.
No one gets a pass for this continuing to happen. Not Republicans and not Democrats because the more it is prolonged, the more it will hurt America.
We need immediate administrative action, but there is a lack of priority on admin fixes to legal immigration issues like this.
This is Laurens van Beek.
Not long ago, he was kicked out of the U.S.—even though he immigrated here as a child. Legally.
The kicker: If his family had come *illegally* he would've gotten to stay.
A thread on our insane immigration system.
Meet Laurens. He was forced to self-deport a couple weeks ago.
He didn't lose his job though, because he was critical talent for his company.
The only thing that got displaced: the taxes he was contributing the United States.
The H-1B visa program is specifically used to displace American workers from their jobs (do a basic search on the visa). What you voted on was to reward the children of the H-1B visa workers whose parents displaced Americans from their jobs. You’re rewarding that abuse!
Bhumika has an inspiring story and she eloquently illustrates why it makes no sense to force American raised and educated children out of the country.
Lose-lose situation for America and affected families.
"For as long as I can remember, I've had regular nightmares about being sent back to where I would wander the foreign streets and have to adjust to an unfamiliar system. My greatest fear is being forced to return to a place I have never really known." - Bhumika Prem for
@TEDTalks
"
@ucsantabarbara
financial aid office even recommended that I let my status run out and become undocumented, in order to qualify for in-state tuition through AB 540, California Dream Act."
Earlier this week, Eva Sinha and Sakshi Savale represented Improve The Dream and 40,000 California Documented Dreamers in front of the California State Senate Education Committee on the hearing for SB 1160, a bill to extend in state tuition to dependent visa students.
"The senators said they discussed several topics, such as... changes for foreign workers stuck in a yearslong green card backlog, as well as for their children who grew up on legal visas but “aged out” before their parents’ green cards became available."
A bipartisan group of senators met this AM to discuss immigration bills that could get 60 votes. It's early stages, but some expressed optimism after similar talks broke down last year.
“Look, I’m first of all encouraged that we met,” said
@SenAlexPadilla
"Age-out DREAMers" are in the same position as DACA kids. We are DREAMers who came as kids with no choice. Why are we excluded in
#DreamAct
if 2 Republican DACA bills include children like me? RT and share with your congressmen.
@DickDurbin
@standwithraul
@RepJayapal
@ChrisCoons