"These young men and women have contributed to our society, businesses and economy, with many now serving in critical roles in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic."
WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation welcomed today’s action by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to reintroduce legislation to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“We commend Senators Durbin and Graham for leading the charge to provide a bipartisan and permanent resolution for millions of Dreamers across the United States,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “These young men and women have contributed to our society, businesses and economy, with many now serving in critical roles in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Now more than ever, it is time to provide them with a pathway to lawful permanent residence and ultimately American citizenship.”
NRF was among more than 140 businesses and trade associations that filed a friend-of-the-court brief last year asking the Supreme Court to uphold DACA, and welcomed its subsequent ruling in favor of the program last summer.
NRF is a member of the Coalition for the American Dream, which estimates nearly 1 million DACA recipients currently serve on the front lines of the pandemic as essential employees. The group recently sent a letter to President Biden pledging support for a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.