APLU Urges House to Approve American Dream and Promise Act of 2019

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today sent the following letter to congressional leaders urging that the House approve the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.

June 3, 2019

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Steve Scalise
Minority Whip
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Minority Leader McCarthy, and Minority Whip Scalise:

On behalf of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), I write today to express strong support for H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.

APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities. Annually, its 197 U.S. member campuses enroll 4.1 million undergraduates and 1.2 million graduate students, award 1.1 million degrees, employ 1.1 million faculty and staff, and conduct $42.4 billion in university-based research.

The American Dream and Promise Act would protect the thousands of Dreamers in our nation who through no fault of their own find themselves in an untenable situation. For many, the United States is the only home they can remember and English the only language they speak. Providing lawful permanent residence in the United States and eventually citizenship is both the morally right thing to do as well as a boost for our economy as Dreamers earn degrees and positively contribute to society. Many Dreamers are studying at our nation’s colleges and universities but without legal certainty and work authorization, their ability to contribute their full potential to the United States will be significantly hampered. APLU also strongly supports providing Dreamers access to federal student aid and states providing access to in-state tuition.

We also support the provisions addressing the status of individuals in our country through Temporary Protected Status providing opportunities to become permanent residents and eventually U.S. citizens.

APLU urges the House to pass the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 Please do not hesitate to let me know how APLU can be helpful.

Sincerely,

Peter McPherson
President
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities