Editor's note: The office of Rep. Steve Pearce has responded to this commentary. The link to the response appears at the bottom of the page.
Commentary: Las Cruces, N.M. -Las Cruces, N.M. - Yesterday, over a dozen courageous immigrant leaders from the NM Dream Team were scheduled to meet with a representative of U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce (NM - District 2) as part of a nationwide push calling for a clean Dream Act by December. The Dream Act is a bipartisan bill, has a long history, would protect millions of immigrant youth from deportation and provide them with a pathway to citizenship.
*A previous release stated that Rep. Pearce himself was scheduled to attend the meeting with activists however, the meeting was confirmed with staff who were present.
For months, Rep. Pearce has refused to publicly define his position on the common-sense Dream Act. The NM Dream Team held a press conference following the meeting denouncing Steve Pearce’s unwillingness to commit to the Dream Act and to protect immigrant youth who are part of his district. The team shared their personal stories to highlight the importance of Congress enacting a clean Dream Act by December.
Johana Saenz, immigrant mother & Chapter Lead for NM Dream Team, said,
“As a single mother of two children and as a resident of District 2, I feel outraged that Rep. Steve Pearce is refusing to commit to the Dream Act and is ignoring the threats his constituents are facing as an immigrant community under the current administration.
“Yesterday’s meeting with a representative of the Congressman confirmed my doubts about Pearce’s leadership and his inability to truly represent the people of his district. As someone who qualifies for the Dream Act 2017, I need him to hear from me why he must act fast and support the legislation that will provide a permanent solution not only to over 800,000 DACA recipients –who are currently in limbo since the Trump administration rescinded the program– but for the millions more like me who will get an opportunity at making a better life for ourselves and our families without fear of being deported.
“Congress must pass a Clean Dream Act before December, for the more they delay, more lives are being put at risk of deportation –including my own and my children’s.”
Yadira Ramirez, DACA recipient, immigrant mother & communications fellow for NM Dream Team, said,
“Yesterday, we had youth and families come from 7 different cities from all across from New Mexico, people that came to represent their communities. Representatives from Pearce’s office continued to give us excuses as to why Pearce wouldn't commit to the Dream Act.
“He has refused to come publically and support the clear legislative solution that will protect immigrant families like my own through the Dream Act. He has continually targeted and bullied our community. Yesterday, he showed us he is not ready to represent NM’s youth and families.”
Jamin Recio, Member of the NM Dream Team, said,
“The clock is ticking for immigrant youth like me and millions more. We need a clean Dream Act by December. A solution that will provide permanent protection from deportation for millions of families and youth nationwide. But make no mistake, we will not allow the protections to come with any dangerous add-ons such as more enforcement, border militarization, and more funding for immigrant detention centers.
“There’s urgency in our communities because Trump’s cruel decision to end DACA and the arbitrary October 5th deadline for the last of DACA renewals is causing thousands of immigrant youth to lose their work permits and deportation protections forever.
“Once again, Rep. Steve Pearce and his office have not given immigrant youth and families a straight answer on whether he will support the best permanent solution which is the Dream Act. The time has come for him to make a clear choice, whether he will truly represent the people of his district or if he will continue support the White House’s supremacist agenda through his inaction.”
As the race to pass a clean Dream Act in Congress comes to a crunch, the NM Dream Team invite the general public to join the fight for immigrant youth and families by connecting with them by texting the work FIGHTBACK at 877-877. Or if you or a loved one is facing detention or a deportation proceeding, help can be found though the Dream Team’s ‘Deportation Defense Hotline’ at 1-844-363-1423 ext. 102
