We Stand with DREAMers

President’s Trump decision yesterday to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), is devastating to the lives and futures of 800,000 young people – 17,000 of them right here in Colorado. DACA recipients (also called DREAMers) have grown up in this country and have pursued educations, military service, and careers in the U.S., becoming productive, contributing members of their communities. In order to have qualified for DACA, these young people had to pass a stringent vetting process and have no criminal records. The vast majority (95%) are in school or working. As a group, they were predicted to contribute $460.3 billion to the American economy over the next decade. Now, this cruel and pointless action threatens to derail their lives and separate them from their families, their friends, and the only homes they have ever known.

Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center stands with the DREAMers. We believe that all human beings, regardless of gender or creed or immigration status, deserve dignity and respect. DREAMers deserve access to the most basic tools required to build a healthy, meaningful life. They deserve to live their lives, to raise families, to contribute to their community without fear of being forcibly removed from it. DREAMers are a part of the Women’s Health community. They are our patients, our coworkers, our neighbors, and our friends. And we will continue to provide services for all who need them in our community, regardless of immigration status.

For those who are now living in fear because of the Administration’s action, know that you are not alone. For more information on the status of the law or for resources on where to go for help, see Here to Stay or United We Dream.

Currently, Colorado’s senators Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennet (D) are cosponsoring a bipartisan bill to protect young immigrants from deportation and to provide them a path to citizenship. We are proud of our lawmakers for taking this stand, and encourage everyone to contact them and express your support for this measure.