Don't Be Silent – Support DREAMers

Show our "Dreamers" that our commitment is stronger than ever.

Read the message from Jeff Ginsburg, Executive Director.

Dear Friends,

At EHTP, we believe that ALL students should be given the opportunity to realize their best possible selves.

As we recover from the hatred and bigotry of Charlottesville, the Muslim ban, and the pardoning of former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, we are again faced with another gut-wrenching hit to our values and beliefs. Today, President Trump decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), in an attempt to deny 800,000 “Dreamers" the opportunity to build their lives in a country they rightfully call home. This is yet another unimaginable step by the Trump administration and an enormous, direct threat to many members of EHTP and the East Harlem community.

Who are the Dreamers? Most Dreamers grew up in America and currently attend school or are employed. They pay taxes and give back to their communities. They are our neighbors, brought to the United States as minors by parents who wanted better lives for their children. They are caring adults whose children attend our programs and schools. They are our students. They are our College Scholars.

In a keynote address at our Annual Gala in May, one of our own scholars courageously shared her story as a Dreamer. She said she “was always told that people like [her] would never achieve success.”

But like so many Dreamers, she defied the stereotypes espoused by the racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric that President Trump has emboldened. This scholar finished in the top 10% of her graduating high school class of over 400 students. She is the first in her family to go to college, and she received a full scholarship to attend one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

I stand here today optimistic, determined, and less fearful than I’ve ever been because I know that my education and success is something that no one can take away from me.

“I may be just one out of 11 million in this country who are undocumented, but this voice is tired of hiding and [is] ready to be heard. So listen very closely because I am not throwing away my shot.”

Ending DACA not only lacks basic compassion and decency, it's also bad for our economy. More than 400 business leaders made this point in a recent letter to President Trump, noting that "Dreamers are vital to the future of our companies and our economy. With them, we grow and create jobs. They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage."

As a community, we have come together to #BuildLove and celebrate the diversity of our families. We must act now to force Congress to pass legislation that fully protects Dreamers within the six-month deadline.

Here’s how you can help.

• Don't be silent - Post your support with the #BuildLove campaign and #DefendDACA.
• Don't be silent - Contact your congressional representatives and let them know you support the DREAM Act. You can find resources to do this on the dreamers.fwd.us website.
• Don't be silent - Go to DefendDACA.com to learn about events in your community and other ways you can advocate for our immigrant community.
• Don't be silent - Forward this email to 10 people, including those with whom you don't usually bring up politics.

We stand together in support of DACA, Dreamers, and the values that make America strong.

Sincerely,

Jeff Ginsburg
Executive Director