FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
18 June 2024
Contact: Kevin G. McGuire | 202-538-2386
Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s Executive Orders that provide protections for non-citizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have lived in America for a decade or longer and allow qualified, college-educated Dreamers to obtain work visas.
“This is a great day for hundreds-of-thousands of immigrant families in America,” said Rep. Barragán. “President Biden’s actions will keep American families together, in California it means possible relief for up to 120,000 non-citizen spouses and provide many of our DACA recipients and Dreamers the opportunity to continue their pursuit of the American Dream. These actions will represent the most significant protections for immigrants and their families in nearly a decade, since former President Barack Obama created the DACA program, and show that America will keep its promise to our immigrant families. Today was made possible because so many families, stakeholders, advocates, and Members of Congress never gave up and fought relentlessly to keep immigrant families together and give Dreamers a chance to stay and contribute to the only country many of them know. While Congressional action is still needed, today’s actions will bring much needed relief to immigrants and their families across the country and sends a clear message – home is here.”
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44th District. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).