February 18, 2021
HACU statement on introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has issued the following statement on the introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA). The act includes an eight-year pathway to citizenship for people in the country without documentation, who arrived by January 1, 2021. The bill also provides an adjustment of status for the nation’s Dreamer and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students, and those with Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure statuses, among its many provisions.
"HACU wholeheartedly supports this comprehensive immigration reform package, which would not only bring relief to our DACA and Dreamer students but would help their families regularize their status,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Comprehensive immigration reform which treats those within our borders humanely and justly is long overdue.”
“The Administration campaigned on a promise of introducing comprehensive immigration reform, and these bills provide a positive first step to enact reform. HACU looks forward to working with both houses of Congress and the Administration on not only passing the Dream Act and protections for our students, but also on a comprehensive immigration reform package for their families. Many are essential frontline workers, including those who work in agricultural, service, elder and childcare, and health fields among others,” added Flores.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Sacramento, California and Washington, D.C. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Additional information is available at www.hacu.net.