Senate Democrats joined Republicans Monday to
clear the way for the passage of a short-term spending bill to fund the
government through Feb. 8 in exchange for a commitment to find a
legislative solution for the young, undocumented immigrants known as
Dreamers.
The Senate passed the measure this afternoon
and sent it to the House for approval, which was expected soon. The
measure will then go to President Trump for his signature.
ACE President Ted Mitchell commended the vote in a statement,
particularly the agreement to include a commitment to bring the issue
of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy and Dreamers
to the floor.
“College and university presidents are
extremely concerned about the future of Dreamers, the group of bright
and high-achieving young people brought to this country as children,” he
wrote. “We reiterate that it is unacceptable for them to be held
hostage to a political face-off and left in limbo as they try to make
decisions beyond the next few weeks about their education, jobs, or
service in the military. We stand ready to work with all parties to
reach a swift and fair resolution to this pressing matter.”
For more information on DACA and the Dreamers, see the Protect Dreamers Higher Education Coalition.