DACA Means Hope for Young Immigrants
Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) is calling on Speaker Paul Ryan and legislative Republicans to pass a clean DREAM Act.
Madison – Today, Wisconsin Democratic Legislators held a press conference to get the word out on the renewal deadline and to discuss the Trump administration’s neglect of DREAMers.
For nearly 1 million young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, including nearly 7,600 right here in Wisconsin, the United States is the only home they’ve ever known. Nazka Serrano has lived in Madison since her family moved here when she was 10 years old. She graduated from Monona Grove High School and Edgewood College and became a community organizer. She has been a DACA recipient since 2012.
“DACA gave us the recognition as people, a validation that most people take for granted. It allowed us to have a bigger voice. The uncertainty we face now is a tough place to be in as a community. We’re students. We’re workers. We’re activists,” said Serrano. “Today we’re trying to live our lives, but there’s anxiety in the back of our minds that our lives will change completely based on what happens with our [DACA renewal] applications. This is our reality every day.”
Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) is calling on Speaker Paul Ryan and legislative Republicans to pass a clean DREAM Act. Rep. Zamarripa is also sponsoring a bill to allow all graduates of Wisconsin high schools to attend college or tech schools and pay in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status.
“DACA has provided hope for thousands of Wisconsinites who only make our state better. We should not play politics with the lives of these young people who simply want to work, study and contribute,” said Rep. Zamarripa. “Immigrants made this country what it is today. We need to be doing more to provide resources for those who want to come here, make a living and raise a family. We cannot give in to a culture of fear and hate.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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