Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 Introduced

Source: Senator Martin Heinrich (D - NM)

Washington, D.C. - September 9, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) are leading efforts in the House and Senate to safeguard the private information—such as addresses and telephone numbers—of the young immigrants known as DREAMers to ensure that they are not targeted for deportation.

“Nearly a million DREAMers across the country have come out of the shadows because of the promise that DACA represented, including more than 7,000 from New Mexico. These are some of our brightest students and veterans who came forward based on the promise that our government would not deport them and provided personal information about themselves and their families. However, DREAMers across the country now face a harsh uncertainty about their future and are worried that the information they shared will be used against them. To do this would be an extraordinary and unprecedented breach of trust by our government,” said Heinrich. “That is why I introduced the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act to safeguard DREAMers’ private information—such as addresses and telephone numbers. We must protect the personal information DACA applicants entrusted with the government and ensure that they are not unfairly targeted by President Trump for deportation.”

“DREAMers provided their personal information in exchange for protected status. No matter what one may think about the DACA program, it is wrong to use this information against DREAMers and Congress needs to prevent that from happening,” said O’Rourke.

Heinrich and O’Rourke introduced bicameral legislation to protect the confidentiality of information submitted in requests for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA) from disclosure to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection for any purpose other than implementing the DACA Program, unless there are national security concerns or other limited exception.

A copy of the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 introduced by Heinrich and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is available here.

A copy of the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 introduced by O'Rourke and U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) is available here.

FAIR Responds to the Newly Reintroduced Dream Act

Washington, D.C. - July 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in response to the introduction of the Dream Act.

"Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin have still not grasped the idea that the starting point for any immigration reform legislation must be in addressing decades of failed policies that have undermined the interests of the American people. The Dream Act of 2017, introduced by Graham and Durbin, once again attempts to serve the interests and address the demands of the people who break our immigration laws ahead of the longstanding concerns of the American people.

"The voters sent a very clear message that they want true immigration reform. These reforms include a revamping of legal immigration policies that create endless chains of family migration, enforcement of laws that prevent illegal aliens from claiming American jobs, enhanced border security, and a demonstrable effort on the part of the government to enforce our nation’s immigration laws.

"Amnesty for illegal aliens is not immigration reform. It is simply repeating the mistakes of the past. The American people have repeatedly rejected sweeping amnesties for illegal aliens, and targeted ones such as the Dream Act, because amnesty is unwarranted and fails to recognize the American public as the primary stakeholder in U.S. immigration policy.

This latest amnesty attempt by Senators Graham and Durbin will similarly be rejected by the American people.”

Made In America Week ....(and more...)

From the House of Representatives

Grijalva Signs Resolution of "No Confidence" Against Trump, Declares Him "Utterly Unfit" to Serve As President
Raul Grijalva (D-AZ, 3rd)
July 20, 2017
Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement after signing a resolution of “no confidence” in Donald Trump’s fitness to serve as President of the United States. Amongst other grievances – including Trump’s suppression of the Press, verbal assaults on women, and violation of the Emoluments Clause - the resolution addresses Trump’s troubling connections to the Russian Government during the 2016 presidential campaign. The resolution also comes after reports that Trump held a secret second meeting with Russian President, Vladimir Putin during the recent G-20 summit as well as new revelations that an eighth person with deep Russian business ties attended the June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a Russian attorney connected to the Kremlin.
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There is an old addage that says "If you keep looking for something wrong with someone long enough, you will find it. So, stop the witch hunt and you might gain more confidence. Of course, since he is not a lefty liberal, I'm sure there is nothing you will like about him. You guys have already made it clear that you will not work with anyone who isn't. Personally, I have no confidence in you because of that.

Grothman to Appropriators: Defund Anti-American Area Studies Programs in Higher Education Act
Glenn Grothman (R-WI, 6th)
July 20, 2017
“… at too many Title VI centers across the country, academic diversity is severely lacking, with many centers using the young, malleable minds of college-aged students as a one-sided sounding board for professors’ anti-American and anti-Semitic political agendas. These professor’s significant biases seep into how their students approach their academic course of study and prevent students from being exposed to alternative viewpoints—perspectives that often reflect the positive aspects of long-practiced and accepted American foreign policies and norms.
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It's about time someone start focusing on how our young men and women are being affected by these rogue professors.

During ‘Made in America' Week, Guthrie Votes to Improve Energy Infrastructure, Create Jobs
Brett S. Guthrie (R-KY, 2nd)
July 20, 2017
Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, voted for two bills to improve energy infrastructure in the United States, the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 2883) and the Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act (H.R. 2910).
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GUTIÉRREZ REACTS TO SENATE INTRODUCTION OF NEW DREAM ACT
Luis Gutierrez (D-IL, 4th)
July 20, 2017
On Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced a new version of the DREAM Act (an acronym for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). The President has pledged, through a spokesperson, to fight this bipartisan legislation that would allow immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to live and work here legally if they meet certain criteria. This happens as the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, the program that provides temporary deportation relief for Dreamers and allows them to work legally) is under attack by Republican leaders and it is clear the President and his team are unlikely to defend it. This could make the 800,000 people who would qualify for the DREAM Act and who currently have DACA vulnerable to deportation, especially because they have registered with federal authorities as part of the program.
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Hartzler Introduces Bill to Protect Subsidized Housing from Smoke Damage
Vicky Hartzler (R-MO, 4th)
July 20, 2017
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced the Smoke Free Affordable Housing Act (HR3322) today to encourage subsidized housing developers to maintain a healthy environment for residents while protecting the subsidized property from expensive smoking related remediation costs. The federal government is investing billions of dollars every year in subsidized housing only to see many properties seriously degraded by smoke damage within only a few years. The Smoke Free Affordable Housing Act would incentivize subsidized housing developers to establish and maintain smoke-free policies to create a healthy environment for residents and protect the investment of hardworking taxpayers.
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Congressman Higgins Says Proposed 2018 Federal Budget is a Vehicle to Take from Hardworking Americans & Give to the Wealthy
Brian Higgins (D-NY, 26th)
July 20, 2017
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), a member of the House Committee on the Budget, objected to the Fiscal Year 2018 budget resolution introduced by House Republicans this week which slashes Medicare and fails to invest in the growth of the American Economy.
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Higgins Issues Statement on U.S. - China Rice Agreement
Clay Higgins (R-LA, 3rd)
July 20, 2017
“The best rice in the world is grown in the heart of Acadiana, with Louisiana rice farmers already contributing more than $700 million to the state’s economic output each year. Expanding rice exports, while ensuring that Louisiana farmers are competing on a level playing field, supports thousands of jobs and generates much-needed economic activity in rice country. I’m glad to see Secretary Perdue and officials at USDA announce the opening of this new market, and I’m confident that Louisiana rice farmers are poised to strengthen our state’s position as one of the world’s leading rice exporters.”
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Hill Reaffirms Commitment to Enhancing American Energy Resources
French Hill (R-AR, 2nd)
July 20, 2017
“We’re working hard to implement American energy policies that boost our energy independence, benefit consumers, protect our environment, and preserve our natural resources. The common sense bills we passed this week remove unnecessary red tape and provide flexibility to our states—creating jobs, moving towards energy independence, and promoting a strong national energy policy. Enhancing our energy resources across Arkansas and the nation will greatly increase jobs and benefit hardworking Americans.”
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