Mucarsel-Powell Leads Legislation Allowing DREAMers Employment on Capitol Hill

Statement

Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), member of the House Judiciary Committee, led her colleagues in introducing the American Dream Employment Act, a bill that would allow DACA beneficiaries to serve on Capitol Hill.

"DREAMers are a part of our rich American society, and their contributions add a new perspective to our economy, the arts, our culture, and our politics," said Mucarsel-Powell. "While our broken immigration still needs greater commonsense reforms, it is time for DREAMers to be able to help shape the policies of the only country they've ever called home, and serve as employees on Capitol Hill -- just like they are able to be employed by the private sector. I am proud to stand with DREAMers and co-sponsor this legislation."

Under current law, employment in the House and Senate is limited to individuals who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents in the process of naturalizing. As a result, DREAMers--undocumented young people brought to this country through no fault of their own--are currently barred from working for Congressional offices. The American Dream Employment Act would amend the provision to specify DREAMers as eligible candidates for employment on Capitol Hill.

Joining Mucarsel-Powell in supporting this legislation as original co-sponsors are U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings (FL-20), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Lou Correa (CA-46), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Darren Soto (FL-09), Gil Cisneros Jr. (CA-39), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13).

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