Dear U.S. Senator Kay B. Hutchinson and U.S. Senator Jon L. Kyl,

DREAMers, undocumented youth and parents across the country would like to take some time to address the recent bill you introduced together with Senator McCain, which deals with people like us: those who came to this country as children. We would like to thank you for showing your support for our cause with the introduction of the ACHIEVE Act and your statements on how you believe there should be a solution to our situation. There is, however, a significant difference between this bill and the original DREAM Act which we have been fighting for since 2001: the ACHIEVE Act does not offer a pathway to citizenship. As undocumented youth, we will not take anything less than a pathway to citizenship. This is the country we call home. We are Americans and we will assert this position as we move forward.

The DREAM Act is already conservative and bipartisan in nature, and has garnered support from prominent conservative leaders such as yourself, Sen. Hutchinson, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the past. We find it concerning that the ACHIEVE Act compels us to regularly report to immigration as if we were criminals under probation. And service by undocumented youth in the United States Armed Forces will now be deemed underserving of citizenship.

While we appreciate the proactive efforts of the Republican leadership for beginning to engage in the conversation on immigration, the American people, especially Latino voters, spoke clearly on election day. The coalition of Latinos and Asians that swept Obama into office are adamant about pro-immigrant immigration reform; 40% of Asian voters said that immigration was a factor that helped them to decide their vote, while 35% of Latinos said it was the top factor.

Your party lost Latinos big this election because of the anti-immigrant rhetoric that was used by Mitt Romney, but some have already committed themselves to fight against the DREAM Act, no matter how popular it is. For some more cynical politicians, using the ACHIEVE Act is a way to undercut the DREAM Act by creating a distraction and encouraging the immigrant’s rights community to settle for less than what it is fair and necessary to achieve.

If you and the Republican Party want to show your willingness to find a solution on immigration, let’s make the a pathway to citizenship for our parents a starting point. Indeed, the DREAM Act has polled more than 90% amongst Latinos according to Latino Decisions, and recently polled majority support from the general public according to ABC News. The ACHIEVE Act, similar to Rubio’s bill, has less support and is less popular. At the same time, studies have come out showing the economic benefits of the DREAM Act, even for those who don’t feel they are connected to the immigration debate, not to mention the money we save in law enforcement.

Senator, we undocumented people don’t look at a political party when we are trying to find a way to be accepted in this country. We are just like you, and we just ask for you to leave a real legacy on immigration. A legacy of real compromise and understanding of what our community needs, and that is a path to citizenship.

Sincerely,

Dream Action Coalition (DRM)
North Texas Dream Team
Arizona Dream Act Coalition
Immigrant Youth Leadership Initiative of Alabama
El Cambio
QUIP Arizona
Students United from Sun Flower Community Action
National Pursuit of Dreams
DREAM Team at Baruch
CT Students for a DREAM
Undocumented Youth in Action
Colorado DREAMers
Salt Lake DREAM Team
Georgia Dreamers
Salt Lake Dream Team