FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Following is a statement by Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman on legislation introduced today by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to provide “provisional protected status” to DREAMers.
We applaud Senators Lindsey Graham, Dick Durbin, Lisa Murkowski, and Dianne Feinstein for their introduction of the BRIDGE Act. The measure would allow for “provisional protected status” and a reprieve from deportation proceedings for many children brought to the United States by their parents.
We believe this bipartisan bill would help the new administration develop a humanitarian approach to this vexing issue as work continues on comprehensive immigration reform. Many of these young people are working hard to earn college degrees so that they can contribute to the only country they have known, the United States. Their hard work and devotion to improving themselves and our society represent the best of American values.
AAU look forwards to working with the new Congress next year for swift passage of the BRIDGE Act.