For Immediate Release: September 7, 2021

Contact: press@wearehome.us

We Are Home Statement on DOE Secretary Miguel Cardona Roundtable with Immigrant Students and Educators

Washington, DC― Today, Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Pennsylvania Representative Madeleine Dean (PA-04) met with a group of students and educators in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to discuss the urgent need for citizenship. The roundtable was coordinated in conjunction with the We Are Home campaign and the President’s Alliance.

Bridgette Gomez, Campaign Director for the We Are Home campaign said:

“Educators across our country see first-hand the struggles, dreams, and aspirations of young people who are undocumented, and the urgent need for citizenship to unleash their potential. When Congress finally provides a permanent solution and a path to citizenship, young immigrants will be free to live up to their potential and will make us more competitive globally. Those who participated in today’s roundtable with Secretary Cardona made it clear that citizenship will benefit not just immigrant families but our entire economy.”

Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of President’s Alliance said:

“Undocumented individuals are vital contributors and student leaders on college campuses across the country.  With over 420,000 undocumented immigrants enrolled in higher education, including 181,000 DACA-eligible students, Congress must take action to provide them a pathway to citizenship, expand federal financial aid eligibility to all undocumented students, and fully invest in immigrant students who contribute and persevere in the face of significant adversity.  As the participants in today’s roundtable shared, permanent status is absolutely critical for them to fully use their undergraduate and graduate degrees in their chosen career fields. Our communities and our country need these students, their talent, and leadership now more than ever.”

We Are Home is a nationwide campaign to fight for immigrant communities on three fronts: prioritizing and demanding a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in America; a moratorium and overhaul of interior enforcement; and broad affirmative relief from deportation. We Are Home is co-chaired by Community Change/Community Change Action; National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA)/Care in Action; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); United Farm Workers/UFW Foundation; and United We Dream.

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration brings college and university presidents and chancellors together on the immigration issues that impact higher education, our students, campuses, communities and nation. We work to advance just, forward-looking immigration policies and practices at the federal, state, and campus level that are consistent with our heritage as a nation of immigrants and the academic values of equity and openness. The Alliance is composed of over 500 presidents and chancellors of public and private colleges and universities, enrolling over five million students in 43 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. 

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