Florida Immigration Reform Coalition Responds to the Announcement of the SUCCEED Act, Calls on Congress to Pass DACA Legislation to Keep DREAMers in the Economy

Miami, FL — Today, Florida business and community leaders responded to the announcement of the SUCCEED Act, legislation that addresses the uncertain future of DREAMers following the announcement to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The group applauded Congress for taking steps to address solutions for DACA recipients, including Congressman Cubelo’s proposed Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act.

“DREAMers represent the best and brightest of the American dream. I’m encouraged to see Congress recognize the need to address the future of DACA recipients this year, and I hope to work together with Congressman Curbelo and the Florida Congressional delegation to produce a meaningful economic solution,” said State Senator Rene Garcia (R-Hialeah).

“Both the SUCCEED Act, and the RAC Act proposed by Congressman Curbelo, take the necessary steps to protect and enable the many DREAMers that are vital to our economy,” said Julio Fuentes, President & CEO of Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “It is my hope that the Florida delegation works together to create a sustainable and long-term solution for the many DREAMers that call our state home.”

“I applaud Congress for acknowledging the important role DREAMers play in our economy and hope these proposals lead to a solution this year,” added Carlos Carrillo, Executive Director of Associated General Contractors of South Florida. “I encourage our delegation to support the SUCCEED act as well as Congressman Curbelo’s Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act. It’s time we allow DREAMers to focus on school and work instead of their immigration status.”

The group called for solutions that harness the power of the foreign-born individuals eligible under DACA. According to the New American Economy (NAE) brief  Spotlight on the DACA-Eligible Population, in Florida:

• As many as 46,105 Floridians are currently DACA-eligible
• Despite the rhetoric claiming undocumented youths are a drain on the Florida economy, 90 percent of the DACA-eligible population who are at least 16 years old are employed
• Florida’s DACA-eligible population earns almost $1.4 billion in total income annually
• Florida’s DACA-eligible population contributes more than $214.2 million in total taxes annually, $120.6 million of which goes to state and local tax revenue in the state of Florida

“I am hoping that Florida Senators Rubio and Nelson sign on to the SUCCEED Act introduced by Langford, Hatch and Tillis and then reach agreement with Congressman Curbelo’s RAC Act so we can finally fix a problem we should have solved years ago. Politics should take a back seat to good public policies,” said Dr. Ed Moore, President of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

“Addressing a workable solution for DREAMers should be an imminent priority for Congress. I’m glad to see Republicans in the Senate restart the discussion on this important issue for the US economy,” Dr. Peter A. Wish, Commissioner, Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. “My hope is that the Florida Delegation will work with sponsors of the SUCCEED Act, and with Congressman Curbelo’s proposal, to create a lasting solution for these hardworking and talented individuals that embody the very best our country has to offer.”