That is the average. Dreamers serve in our military; they pay
taxes; and they contribute to communities across our country. More than
97 percent of Dreamers are now in school or in the workforce--97
percent--and all DACA recipients are required to meet the program's
education requirements. In fact, 72 percent of all DACA recipients who
are currently in school are pursuing bachelor's degrees or higher. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, more than
100 students with DACA status applied to medical school last year. This
is at a time when we have a shortage of doctors in my State,
particularly in the rural areas. The administration's decision to end DACA has created tremendous
uncertainty and the risk of deportation for the Dreamers who work and
study in the States across our Nation. It, simply, doesn't make
economic sense. One recent study estimated that ending this policy
would cost the country over $400 billion over the next 10 years. I would like to point out to my colleagues that for immigrants as a
whole, 25 percent of our U.S. Nobel laureates were born in other
countries and that 70 of our Fortune 500 companies are headed up by
immigrants. Why would we cut off this talent flow? Look at these DACA
recipients. Ninety-seven percent of the Dreamers are working or are in
school. That is why I strongly disagree with the President's decision to end
DACA, as do many Republicans, Democrats, business, labor, and religious
leaders, and it is why I support the bipartisan Durbin-Graham Dream
Act. America is truly a country built by immigrants, but just as
importantly, these immigrants and their families have helped America
succeed. They have been part of our Nation's greatest achievements. I look at my own family.
Keywords matched
immigrants DACA deportation