Issue Position: Gil's Plan for Immigration and Protecting Dreamers

Issue Position

DACA:
In Congress, Gil will fight to protect DREAMers. In 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was enacted as a way to allow children, who were brought to this country through no fault of their own, come and enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that this nation has to offer. President Trump has attempted to rip these protections away, and that is wholly unacceptable.

DACA, while a good initial step, offered no path to citizenship for these young people. Gil supports passing H.R. 3440, "The DREAM Act," which would protect DACA and offer DACA recipients a pathway to citizenship. DREAMers have been contributing to our communities and economy by serving in the military, attending college, and creating local businesses. They consider America home, and they deserve an opportunity to become citizens. We should not send these young people back to a country they do not know.

BORDER WALL:
President Trump has repeatedly advocated for building a wall on our southern border, and asking American taxpayers to spend billions of dollars on it. Some have estimated that the wall could cost over $15 billion dollars. The addition of a wall would do relatively little to help protect Americans, and would be a complete waste of our taxpayers' time and money.

For years after 9/11, America has spend a large sum of money helping to secure our borders, by investing in border troops and other tools to help keep our borders secure. Gil believes that in order to secure our border, we need to help to fortify the tools we have in place so that we can address the needs of our country. In Congress, Gil will not vote for any bill that would fund his ill-considered wall.

FAMILY SEPARATION:
The Trump Administration announced a "zero tolerance policy" on families entering this country from our borders, and began separating children from their families. Then, under immense public pressure, the Trump Administration signed an executive order, but it was no solution at all. The "solution" kept children in cages indefinitely, and offered no plan to actually reunite the over two thousand stranded children with their parents.

This inhumane policy does not represent the American values that Gil and millions of others fought for, and he wholeheartedly opposes it. The policy is morally wrong, and does nothing to secure our borders. We, as a nation, are better than this, and should approach immigration laws in a fair and humane way, consistent with American values. We need to act now to reunite these children with their families.

TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS:
The Trump Administration has announced that it does not seek to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of people living in the United States who fled their homeland because of ongoing violence, or natural disasters. Since the induction of the TPS Program in 1990, immigrants from countries like Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nepal, Haiti, and Nicaragua have found refuge and a new home in the United States.

The decision to terminate TPS will force recipients to start a new life in a country that they no longer know, will result in the separation of US-born children from their parents, and will have negative consequences on the US economy. The Administration's decision to end TPS for these nations turns off the beacon of light that immigrants see when they come to the United States, and I strongly oppose this action. In Congress, Gil will work to create legislation that will provide protection for TPS holders and give these immigrants a safe place to live.

H1B IMMIGRATION VISAS:
The Trump Administration has continued his attack on our immigrant communities by cracking down on those who are receiving H-1B visas. Those immigrants who are granted H-1B visas are highly skilled workers who come to be professors, scientists, and engineers and immediately contribute to our communities and diverse economy. They are helping make our country better, and Gil fully supports protecting their visa status so they can continue to contribute to our country.

ASYLUM SEEKERS:
America has always served as a beacon of hope to all people, and many come to the United States looking for asylum. Asylum offers protection for people who are fleeing persecution in their home countries, and often saves these immigrants' lives. The Trump Administration has taken an aggressive and inhumane approach towards asylum seekers by limiting the reasons that one can ask for asylum including for those who are fleeing domestic and gang violence.

Gil believes that those who are genuinely fleeing violence and persecution should be granted asylum in the United States. As well, he opposes this Administration's policy of imprisoning those seeking asylum, which they've used as a deterrent from others who are looking for asylum protections.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented attack on our nation's immigrants, using racist and xenophobic arguments that have no merit and no place in America. Gil will fight to give a voice to the voiceless and end this heartless attack on immigrants. America represents the ideals of liberty and justice for all, and we do not turn our backs on those who need it.

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