Cummins Inc. joined more than 90 other companies, associations and various other organizations in signing a letter in today’s New York Times urging a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
The letter to President Biden and congressional leaders follows a recent U.S. District Court ruling that found the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was unlawful. The decision left thousands of immigrants widely known as Dreamers facing at best an uncertain future, including potential impediments to finding and retaining work.
“We strongly urge Congress to pass legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers,” states the letter in The Times. “Securing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers not only is the right thing to do but is a huge economic benefit to the United States.”
DIVERSE GROUP IN SUPPORT
Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger signed the letter along with leaders from a diverse group of companies and oganizations, including Apple, Amazon, Eli Lilly, Facebook, Google, IBM, IKEA and Salesforce, as well as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the National Young Farmers Coalition, the Texas Restaurant Association and Northwestern University.
“Dreamers add billions of dollars to our GDP; they are employees who fill key roles at our companies; they pay federal, state, and local taxes; they work with us, start their own small businesses, teach our children in school, and serve in our military,” the letter says. “About half of all Dreamers are essential workers who have been serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.”
This is not the first time Cummins leaders have spoken out in support of Dreamers. Linebarger called for action to protect Dreamers in an opinion article for The Indianapolis Star in February.
“They are Americans,” Linebarger said in the piece. “They’ve grown up here, attended school and are significant contributors to our economy and society; some have even served our country in the military. Let’s remove fear and uncertainty and put them on a path to citizenship.”
FOCUS ON CONGRESS
Biden renewed his call for action on behalf of Dreamers after the July 16 court decision.
“Yesterday’s Federal court ruling is deeply disappointing,” Biden said in a statement July 17. “While the court’s order does not now affect current DACA recipients, this decision nonetheless relegates hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to an uncertain future. The Department of Justice intends to appeal this decision in order to preserve and fortify DACA.
“…But only Congress can ensure a permanent solution by granting a path to citizenship for Dreamers that will provide the certainty and stability that these young people need and deserve.”
