The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is urging Congress and the administration to pass the DREAM Act, emphasizing the significant contributions Dreamers make to the nation’s economy and society.
HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores highlighted the urgency of granting legal status and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals who arrived in the U.S. as minors. He stressed that Dreamers—many of whom are excelling in K-12 and higher education—are integral to the country’s workforce and future prosperity.
“This country has invested in their education, health, and other essential services for years, while their parents have contributed through taxes and bolstered economic growth,” Flores said in the statement. “It is imperative we capitalize on their skills, work ethic, and the national investments made in their development to ensure a brighter future for all of us.”
An estimated 1.5 million undocumented Dreamers currently reside in the U.S., alongside more than 500,000 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The DREAM Act, if passed, would provide more than 2 million individuals with legal protections and opportunities for full participation in American society.
Despite their academic achievements and professional success, many Dreamers remain in legal limbo. Some are business owners, civic leaders, and parents of U.S.-born citizens, yet they face uncertainty about their futures. HACU warns that the inability to secure legal status not only hinders their potential but also weakens national economic and social progress.
Flores called on Congress to collaborate with the administration on bipartisan immigration reform, stating that passing the DREAM Act would be a critical first step toward a comprehensive solution.
HACU is rallying support from educational institutions, businesses, and advocacy groups, urging swift legislative action to ensure Dreamers can continue contributing to the nation’s prosperity.
