Dear HACE Partners & Members,
On behalf of the HACE Board of Directors and Staff, we proudly represent the interests of all Latinos and advocate for their personal and professional development. HACE’s vision is to see a world where Latinos reach their full potential for themselves and their communities. The recent decision to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), as announced on Tuesday by the White House Administration, is a direct threat to the HACE vision, the Latino community and the US economy. DACA is a successful policy that has provided the opportunity for 800,000 undocumented young people who were brought to the United States as children, to contribute to society, obtain jobs, and pursue higher education. In order to participate in this opportunity, each individual had to pass a background check and pay a $495 fee.
Today, we have many DACA recipients who are now active business owners, employers, professionals or pursuing higher education in the legal field, healthcare, business, public service, and military, to name a few. As the fastest and youngest growing demographic group, rescinding DACA is a direct threat to the Latino community and to the overall US economy, where will lose 280 billion in lost tax revenue over the next decade according to a CATO study. See more of the economic impact here.
Some stats on our 800,000 DACA recipients and why they are an asset to society:
- 98% speak English
- 70% have attained or are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree
- 90% over the age of 25 are currently employed
- Those over age of 25 twice as likely to start a business
This is not a Latino issue, this is an American issue. HACE’s mission is to positively impact the American workplace by cultivating the pipeline of Latino talent and providing Latino professionals the insight, access, and support to be successful in their careers. HACE cannot continue to fulfill our mission without our 800,000 DREAMers.
Please see below and take action.
Sincerely,
Patricia Mota
President & CEO of HACE
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TAKE ACTION:
- Call your elected representative and urge them to support legislative remedies that will preserve DACA and protect it from Executive action.
- Volunteer to fill out the non-legal portion of DACA forms. Sign up for a training by The Resurrection Project here.
- Keep track of the Dream Act of 2017 (S. 1615 (Graham R-SC), H.R. 3440 (Roybal-Allard D-CA) as introduced. The dream Act of 2017 authorizes the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for individuals who are long-term U.S. residents and enter the U.S. as children. These bills could be amended in the coming weeks and months and it will take our collective voices to ensure that DREAMers and their families are protected.
FOR DACA RECIPIENTS:
- Employers cannot fire you before your DACA status expires.
- An employer cannot ask you about your DACA status.
- Your Social Security number is yours for life, regardless of your documentation status or the existence of the DACA program.
- Your work permit is still active until it expires.
- If you are outside the country on Advance Parole make sure to return right away.
- NEW APPLICANTS: The administration will stop considering new applications for legal status dated after Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
- RENEWALS: DACA recipients with a permit set to expire before March 5, 2018 have the opportunity to apply for a two-year renewal but must do so by October 5, 2017.
RESOURCES:
- The Resurrection Project’s legal services team will have walk-in hours every Friday in September from 9am – 6pm at 1801 S. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60608 for DACA Renewal assistance.
- Information Sessions happening every Tuesday in September at 5:30pm
- September 12: Benito Juarez Community Academy (1450 W Cermak Rd.)
- September 19: La Casa (1815 S. Paulina)
- September 26: Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School (2111 W. 47th St.)