Congressman Dan Kildee Signs Discharge Petition Demanding Vote to Protect Dreamers

Statement

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today, along with other Democrats, supported a rarely used procedural move in the U.S. House of Representatives seeking to force a vote on the bipartisan bill that would permanently protect young undocumented immigrants brought to America as children -- commonly known as DREAMers -- and allow them to remain in the country legally.

A discharge petition requires the signatures of a majority of House members to force a vote on a specific piece of legislation. Today's petition was filed on the DREAM Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Congressman Kildee, which would permanently protect DREAMers from deportation.

"Congress must act to fix our broken immigration system, including protecting DREAMers. These young people are Americans in every way except on paper. They grew up in the United States, were brought here by their parents through no fault of their own, and give back to the communities they live in," said Congressman Kildee. "If Congress fails to act, congressional Republicans are just as much to blame as the President for this cruel policy. Speaker Ryan, bring the DREAM Act to the floor and let's have an up or down vote."

Congressman Kildee's efforts come after President Trump announced his decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. 76 percent of Americans support citizenship or permanent status for DREAMers, according to a recent poll.

According to the Center for American Progress, there are almost 6,000 people living in Michigan who are DREAMers. Michigan's economy stands to lose more than $300 million if DREAMers are forced to leave the U.S.

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