Hi all-please see below, NRDC and Voces Verdes' joint statement on the immigration debate, which we sent to the Hill yesterday.

Nora

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From: Slesinger, Scott (NRDC) [mailto:info@thesoftedge.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2018
To:
Subject: Statement on Immigration Legislation

Dear Dayne,

The ongoing debate in the Senate over the future of immigration has left millions of people vulnerable and facing an uncertain future. Congress has solutions at their fingertips, if only they are willing to show a commitment to protecting immigrant youth and recognizing the value that immigrants bring to our country. The U.S. is a country of immigrants, and immigrants not only built this country, but are essential to continuing to help us thrive. This sentiment is reflected in the fact that 87% of Americans<http://t.congressweb.com/l/?KVAKKOWVGCJSETZ> support Dreamers staying in the country.

With this in mind, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) urges Congress to swiftly pass legislation to provide protection for immigrant youth who were brought to this country as children and know no other home. We oppose tying the future of these young immigrants to a destructive, divisive, and unnecessary border wall that will wreak havoc on our environment and send isolationist and xenophobic signals to the rest of the world, or to discriminatory and unfounded changes to our immigration laws. President Trump's proposed border wall would not only be enormously harmful for people, communities and public safety; it would be devastating for wildlife and our nation's cornerstone environmental laws.

America thrives on diverse communities, strong families, and bright futures for our children-and that includes Dreamers. We must preserve their ability to be a vital and vibrant part of our society and economy and to continue to pursue the American dream. It is unacceptable for Dreamers to be scapegoated as criminals; they are our students, our workers, all have gone through background checks, have fought and died for our country, and collectively contribute more than $460 billion to our economy in a decade.

Congress must work toward an urgent solution to this crisis and provide permanent protections for Dreamers that embodies the spirit that has made this country a beacon of hope for so many. We urge you to act with urgency and integrity to protect immigrants and oppose funding for an unnecessary and harmful border wall.

Sincerely,

Scott Slesinger
Legislative Director
Natural Resources Defense Council

Adrianna Quintero
Founder and Executive Director
Voces Verdes