DREAMers make our country stronger. They have a right to live here without fear

With the stroke of a pen 10 years ago, the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people across our nation were changed for the better. This week, as we observe the 10-year anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), I applaud this program’s success and am reminded of how much more we have to accomplish for immigrant communities.

Because of DACA, the United States has continued its long tradition of welcoming innocent people fleeing persecution and violence, seeking safety and honoring freedom. It has given hundreds of thousands of young people, DREAMers, the opportunity to work, live and chase their dreams in the United States without fear of deportation.

In Florida and across the country, the resilience of DREAMers — young children who came to the United States with family or loved ones, and who qualified for DACA — remains extraordinary. And so is their passion for our country.

Given the eligibility requirements of the program, every DREAMer has spent at least 15 years living in the United States. They and their families traveled a long, hard road to achieve their current place in America. And most DREAMers have only ever known one home and pledged allegiance to one flag — ours.

The historic creation of DACA a decade ago has allowed DREAMers to participate in our communities along with their peers, contribute meaningfully with temporary protection from deportation and receive legal work authorization.

My grandfather taught me America was built for those willing to work hard to seek the promise of a new life. He came to America from the small island of Cyprus, in hopes of a better tomorrow.

Similarly, DREAMers have made their homes here with that same promise in mind, advancing our communities every day.

The more than 24,000 DREAMers who call Florida home are our neighbors, classmates and friends. They run businesses, protect our streets, teach our children, staff our hospitals and make our communities what they are. DACA recipients are essential to Florida’s workforce. They are employed in healthcare, food supply and education. In Florida, they currently contribute $173.5 million in federal taxes and more than $78 million in state and local taxes.

As we mark this important anniversary, I am reminded of the DREAMers who have given their all to our country and are still waiting for acceptance in return.

I’m committed to removing the barriers that DREAMers face and actively pushing for a pathway to citizenship. For too long, too many people in power have greenlit bigotry, fearmongering, and hate, enacting cruel policies designed to withhold the respect and dignity immigrants deserve. For example, Gov. DeSantis’ executive order to block unaccompanied children from being reunited with their families or loved ones is a stain on our state. .

This week, communities across the country came together to celebrate a decade of relief for immigrant children. But the work is far from over.

I will continue to support the 24,000 DREAMers and the one out of every five Floridians who are immigrants and call our state home. I will continue to support a fair pathway to citizenship that respects our laws and treats people fairly. Fighting for fair, legal and equitable access to our country will not be easy, but it will be worth it.