Business, community leaders urge NC senators to support DREAM Act for millions of immigrants

Dreamer status for millions of immigrants brought here as children could end any day after a court ruling.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham has introduced bipartisan legislation for the DREAM Act of 2021.

On Saturday, a virtual panel of business and community leaders and Dreamers urged North Carolina senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr to support the bill.

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Those at the panel included former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl, who is now the co-chair of the American Business Immigration Coalition. Ric Elias, Red Ventures CEO, and Novant Health Chief Community Impact Officer Dr. Phil Brown also attended the panel.

“As citizens, they are going to pay taxes, build businesses, raise children and educate children,” McColl said.

Cesar Bautista, who is a Dreamer, said before the DREAM Act he couldn’t get a driver’s license; and despite being at the top of his high school class, he didn’t know if he would be able to go to college.

The panel said there are more than 30,000 DACA-eligible individuals in North Carolina, and Dreamers in the state pay nearly $140 million in state and federal taxes.

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