Dear Neighbors,
I wanted to share information about an upcoming listening session, immigration resource fair and some important information regarding recent DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) developments.
Listening Session Next Tuesday, September 26
Please join Senator Dziedzic and me for a listening session next Tuesday at Daybreak Press, 720 Washington Ave. SE, from 4:00-5:00pm. I appreciate hearing directly from you about the issues that are important to you and it helps guide my decision making at the Capitol.
Immigration Resource Fair September 30
Immigration is a complicated and confusing process. We can help! Drop in any time at the Brian Coyle Center (420 15th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55454) from 4:30-6:30pm on Saturday, September 30th to have your immigration questions answered by experts. Resources Include:
- Free Consultations with Immigration Lawyers
- Tabling and Information Sharing
- Know Your Rights, Citizenship, and Immigration Enforcement Presentations
Find more information by clicking here.
President Trump’s Action Against DACA Recipients
On September 5th, President Trump’s Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, announced that the Department of Justice would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program authorized by President Obama in 2012. The administration is giving Congress six months to fix the policy by legislative means. You can read the letter I sent to the President with my colleagues, demanding he protect Dreamers, by clicking here. Congress needs to act on comprehensive immigration reform that works for everyone.
Minnesota Dreamers Speak Out
The Minnesota House POCI Caucus (People of Color and Indigenous), Minnesota Dreamers and other advocates for immigration reform spoke out eloquently against the rescission of DACA and asked all of us to contact our federal elected officials [link] to fix this problem legislatively and restore DACA. You can read the POCI Caucus Joint Statement here [link] and watch the press conference by clicking here [link] or below.
What Now? Renew by October 5th
There are at least 6,300 DACA recipients who live in Minnesota, and 800,000 nationwide. Their DACA application allows them to live legally in the US for a period of two years if they arrived here as a child and meet the other program requirements. An estimated 95% of those recipients are enrolled in classes or working.
If you or someone you know is a DACA recipient, they should know that even though the program won’t end until March of 2018, they must apply for renewed DACA status by October 5, 2017. USCIS is only adjudicating DACA renewal requests received by Oct. 5, 2017, from current beneficiaries whose benefits will expire between Sept. 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018. You can learn more about the changes here [link].
I want you to know that as an immigrant, and a refugee, I find the actions of this administration against immigrant communities deeply disturbing, and I am constantly searching for ways we can fight back against these actions that are hurting cherished members of our community. This is a very difficult time for many of our neighbors, both those who have been positively impacted by DACA, and those immigrant neighbors who have not been eligible. I see you and I value your contributions to our country, and you can always feel safe reaching out to me as your state representative if you have questions or concerns, or if I can be of assistance in any way.
It is an honor to represent you, and I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ilhan Omar
State Representative