Arizona Democrats want to allow DREAMers to work for Congress
Mar 24, 2016, 2:56 PM
Flickr/Photo Credit: Arend Vermazeren
PHOENIX — An Arizona congresswoman introduced a bill Monday that would allow DREAMers – undocumented young people exempted from deportation – to be employed by congressional offices.
U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., introduced the American Employment Act to open up jobs to DREAMers, whom she says would benefit Congress with “their unique abilities and perspectives.”
“DREAMers are young people who call our country home, and they deserve a fair shot at opportunities that can shape their future,” Kirkpatrick said in a release. “Telling these young people they cannot work in the seat of our government is like telling them they deserve something less than the American dream.”
Kirkpatrick’s colleague, U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is one of the original co-sponsors of the bill.
“They are a part of our community, and rather than making their lives more difficult, we should celebrate their contributions and give them opportunities to succeed,” Gallego said in the same release.“These talented, smart individuals have a lot to contribute, and we would be fortunate to have them working with us on Capitol Hill and at home in our districts.”
The American Dream Employment Act, H.R. 4842, would not affect any other federal agency or department.
Since its inception in 2001, the DREAM Act (an acronym for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) has been introduced in the House and Senate several times, but has failed to pass.
