Hahn Helps “Dreamers” Navigate New Immigration Program

WILMINGTON, CA – Last night, Congresswoman Janice Hahn joined the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) to host a community workshop on President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. At the event, immigration advocates joined community leaders, teachers and parents to provide young immigrants and their families support to navigate this new program. Over 125 young immigrants took the opportunity to receive step-by-step guidance and connect with legal resources.

“You are our future,” Congresswoman Hahn told the crowd. “You are what makes this country great. Your hard work, your passion, your dedication—there is nothing more American than that.”

“At long last, we are extending a long overdue measure of justice to young people who are American in every way that matters but on paper,” continued Congresswoman Hahn. “All these young men and women want is the opportunity to live openly and work legally in the only home they have ever known. Though we still need comprehensive immigration reform, this is an exciting step in the right direction.”

The capacity crowd last night listened to attorneys Meredith Brown, Kristy White, and Ingrid McCall lead panel discussions and answer questions about the DACA application. Later, the attorneys provided one-on-one application reviews.

President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program gives certain young people who came to the United States as children the opportunity to stay and work without the threat of deportation. These young people, often referred to as “Dreamers” from the federal and state DREAM Acts, have been able to apply for deferred action since August.

In response to high demand for DACA application guidance, Congresswoman Janice Hahn offers dedicated office hours in her district office for young people with questions about the program.

• San Pedro District Office—140 West 6th Street, San Pedro CA: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
• Wilmington District Office—544 N. Avalon Boulevard, Suite 307: Thursdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
• By appointment at (310) 831-1799

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