The following is a statement from Association of American Universities President Barbara R. Snyder about the House passing H.R. 6, the “American Dream and Promise Act of 2021:”
Today, the House advanced the “American Dream and Promise Act of 2021,” answering our repeated calls to provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients. We welcome this action, and we encourage the Senate to move quickly.
Many of these young undocumented immigrants are students, scholars, and scientists at America’s leading research universities, and they make invaluable contributions to science, our economy, our national security, and our communities. These bright young people – who are American in every way – deserve the kind of certainty that only legislation can provide. This requires a permanent solution that will allow them to continue to study, work, pay taxes, and live without the constant risk of detention and deportation.
The protections and pathways included in the “American Dream and Promise Act of 2021” also will help ensure that we retain American-educated talent and keep the bright minds that are vital to ensuring that our nation stays at the forefront of global innovation.
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Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities is composed of America’s leading research universities. AAU’s 65 research universities transform lives through education, research, and innovation.
Our member universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for research that improves public health, seeks to address national challenges, and contributes significantly to our economic strength, while educating and training tomorrow’s visionary leaders and innovators.
AAU member universities collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of leading research universities to American society.