To students, families, alumni and supporters:
We established the Dream Project twelve years ago to help young Virginians whose immigration status created barriers to pursuing higher education. In that first year, we provided modest scholarships to just four students . But we also planted the seeds of a community. As a result, a strong community of Scholars, alumni, families, and supporters grew and flourished over the next decade. Today we have 100 scholarship students, 101 college graduates. We also offer a unique mentoring program for high school students. We also offer a package of other services and resources to bolster our Scholars’ chances of success. Finally, we involve ourselves in advocating for our students, a task we take very seriously.
The Current State of DACA
Our work in advocacy has been a constant. Twelve years later, young immigrant students in Virginia continue to face profound barriers to achieving their dreams. Some of these barriers — such as learning English, graduating from high school, and juggling schoolwork with family obligations — are part of their journey as immigrants. But others have been politically imposed, perpetuating a hostile environment for millions of people.
You may have read about the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision upholding a lower court ruling that DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was established unlawfully. While it will allow for DACA renewals to continue for the time being, it has also sent the case back to the same lower court to consider the Biden Administration’s new DACA regulation. Biden’s ruling is set to go into effect on October 31. Because of this, a favorable outcome is unlikely. Historically, DACA has benefited young immigrants and their communities. It began as a humane, ethical policy which aimed to provide temporary solutions for immigrants. It also allowed many immigrants to come out of the shadows and gain education and employment. But the ongoing uncertainity of DACA has likewise become a bargaining tool among politicians who do not hesitate to use young immigrants’ lives to score political points.
The only way to end these ongoing and politically-inspired barriers to young immigrant Virginians is for Congress to do what a vast majority of Americans want it to do. Congress must pass comprehensive immigration legislation that will provide immigrant youth with a pathway to citizenship.
The Fight in Virginia
In 2021, we, along with other immigrant advocacy organizations, fought for legislation to give all Virginians the right to pay in-state tuition. But now, a Virginia State Senate will offer a bill in January to deny in-state tuition to students who do not have U.S. citizenship. This mean-spirited proposal is yet another example of a politician playing political football with immigrant lives.
What We Can Do In the Meantime
The only way to end these ongoing political barriers to immigrants is for Congress to do what a vast majority of Americans call for. Congress must pass comprehensive legislation to provide immigrants with a pathway to citizenship. This action will allow them to pursue higher education, earn jobs and contribute to society as they fulfill citizenship requirements.
In January, the Dream Project will work with partner organizations to defeat the proposed bill to deny certain young Virginia immigrants in-state tuition. Please look forward to another message from us closer to that date. We will outline some steps you, as a valued supporter of our students and our mission, can take to help us in this effort.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of our students. Our work would not be possible without you.
Please join us in contacting representatives locally and in Washington. Tell them that we support DACA, comprehensive immigration policies, and millions of young immigrants who call this country home.
In Solidarity,
The Dream Project
