Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García Joins Dreamers and TPS Recipients to Call for Permanent Solutions For People With Temporary Protections

Washington, DC- Today Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) joined members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients to call for permanent legal protections and a pathway to citizenship for thousands of people who rely on these programs. Congressman García shared the story of Beatriz, a DACA recipient from his district:

"As the proud immigrant and representative of a Chicago district that is over one-third foreign born, I understand the urgency for a permanent solution for immigrants in this country. We are long-overdue for legislation that provides a path to citizenship for those with uncertain status.

"Too many people in my community live in fear. In the Chicagoland area alone, there are about 34,000 individuals enrolled in DACA who aspire to become full Americans. There are about 800,000 people in Illinois in mixed-status families with at least one undocumented member.

"There is a growing urgency for Congress to act. This morning we stand here to highlight the great value that these people contribute to our country. There are Dreamers like Beatriz, a young woman in my district, who came to this country at the age of six. She studied hard, she put herself through college while working a full time job and with no financial aid. Despite the toughest odds, Beatriz graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

"These are people who work hard, play by the rules and make our country great. That is why we are resolved to advance legislation that will address the uncertainty and suffering of these families."

Watch the video of his statement here.