Support for Quick Action on DREAM Act of 2017

Earlier today U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Trump administration’s decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program over the next six months. Today’s actions increase the urgency of providing a permanent legislative fix for the 800,000 young Dreamers who are proud to call America their home.

The Idaho Charter School Network believes all families deserve the opportunity to send their children to great schools that provide them with an excellent education. Public charter schools have an important role to play in ensuring quality school options are available to the state’s increasingly diverse student population. All Idahoans benefit when children excel in school, get jobs and pay taxes.

Latinos are the fastest-growing population in Idaho K-12 enrollment. Because of the strength and demands of Gem State agriculture, we rank high among states in the percentage of undocumented children who could face deportation as a result of the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

All Idaho children deserve a future where studying hard, playing by the rules and following their dreams is supported and protected. We join the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and state charter school advocates across the country in supporting the DREAM Act of 2017. We encourage Congress to move on this legislation quickly so as to ensure all Idaho families and their children have equal access to the American Dream.