Statement from NAE Executive Director Jeremy Robbins

Creating a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders is a critical piece of the effort to reform America’s outdated immigration system. It is past time for the uncertainty that has plagued Dreamers, TPS holders, their employers, and the communities they call home to end, and we support bipartisan efforts to achieve a solution. Our research finds that DACA-eligible immigrants and TPS holders:

• Are essential workers in the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of all DACA-eligible immigrants, some 542,000 people, are essential workers, including more than 60,000 in the healthcare industry alone.
• Are productive members of the workforce: 93 percent of DACA-eligible immigrants and 94 percent of TPS beneficiaries are employed.
• Pay billions in federal income, state, and local taxes: DACA-eligible immigrants pay close to $4.0 billion in taxes, while TPS holders pay more than $1.5 billion annually.
• Hold significant economic clout: DACA-eligible individuals hold $19.4 billion in spending power, while TPS holders hold $5.8 billion.
• Are job creators: There are approximately 43,000 DACA-eligible entrepreneurs. More than one out of every 10 TPS holders, or 10.5 percent, reported being self-employed.

We fully support legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers and TPS holders, and we urge the Senate to take swift, bipartisan action to make this a reality.