Aliento's Statement on the State of the Union

Immigrant families once again are met with disappointment and empty promises. Our DREAMers and mixed status families need policy change and actual solutions. President Biden promised a pathway to citizenship to Dreamers, TPS, farmworkers, and essential workers during his first year in office, yet this promise has been unfulfilled. He and the democratic majorities in the House and Senate have failed us. Thousands of undocumented, DACA recipients, and TPS benifecities risked their lives to ensure the Americans had food on the table, taught their children, ensured patients lived in the hospital, and ensured American infrastructure projects continued.

President Biden’s remarks echoed why people migrate. He stated, “I remember when my Dad had to leave our home in Scranton, Pennsylvania to find work.” President Biden’s remarks described exactly what undocumented and DACA parents do for their children every day. We agree with the President that providing a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers is not only the right thing to do but also, an economic benefit for the country. Yet, our community needs policy change, not just words.

Reyna Montoya, founder, CEO and DACA recipient states, “DACA continues to be under threat in the courts. It's past time for Congress to legalize DREAMers like me. I am asking President Biden to ensure DREAMers like me have a pathway to become citizens in the only place we have called home. Thousands of families are depending on our government to find solutions for DREAMers and mixed status families.”