BPC’s Cardinal Brown on the DREAM Act: Break the 20-Year Stalemate

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Theresa Cardinal Brown, director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, on the reintroduction of the DREAM Act by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC):

“A majority of the American public, including majorities of both Democratic and Republican voters, support providing permanent status to Dreamers, so we are glad to see these senators continue working together on bipartisan legislation.

“But introduction is only the first step. It’s time for Congress to break through the 20-year stalemate that has plagued the body since the first introduction of the DREAM Act in 2001.

“Although President Biden acted early in his administration to restore the DACA program, ongoing litigation continues to threaten the status of individuals who have benefitted from DACA and built their lives in the United States. The fact is that only Congress can create a permanent program to protect these young people from being forced to leave the place they’ve called home for most of their lives.

“President Biden and Congress must make this a priority—executive action has been found insufficient and temporary—and work towards a permanent legislative solution that can reach the president’s desk for signature within his first 100 days in office.

“BPC stands ready to work with our partners on both the left and right sides of the aisle to produce a legislative compromise. The American dream for hundreds of thousands of people depends on it.”

Theresa Cardinal Brown is available for interview