Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at DACA Anniversary Press Conference

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much, Vice Chair Aguilar, to you and Chair Ruiz. Thank you so much for bringing us all together today to observe, to celebrate the ten-year anniversary – but to recognize that our work is not done.

I just want to say – I don't want you to be frightened – but one of the things I'm famous for is standing for over eight hours in high heels and talking about our Dreamers on the Floor of the House. Have no fear; I won't do that today. But I'm tempted.

In any event, it was a reflection of the respect that so many Members, from the House and from the Senate, have for our Dreamers. They were sending me the letters from their constituents from their Dreamers bragging, here are our Dreamers, the gold standard in our country. Learning in our universities, teaching in our schools. Like Lizbeth, who we'll hear from – will speak about, again, growing our communities serving in our military, every aspect of our society greatly enhanced. Yesterday, I had a group from CHIRLA in my office, and I thanked them, those Dreamers, and I thank the Dreamers who are here.

Thank your parents for bringing you to America. You are a tremendous asset to us. I see that Lucille Roybal-Allard is here. She had the bill that we passed in the House more than ten years ago. She was the author of the [Dream] Act in the House. In the Senate, Dick Durbin, who has been a real champion on all of this. Under the leadership of Lucille Roybal-Allard, Nydia Velazquez, who at the time was the Chair of the Hispanic Caucus, we passed the legislation in the House. We're very proud. Couldn't pass the Senate. Thank God for Barack Obama who by executive order – made the executive order that we observe the ten year anniversary of now.

But all of us know that what we have to do is not only maneuver in the House and Senate, but mobilize in the country. The American people support Dreamers. We need them to weigh in with other elected officials here in Congress.

As you know, we have a court case coming up that we want to win, but we need to be prepared. We need to be prepared to make respect for our Dreamers the law of the land. And it's not just the Hispanic Caucus. Yvette Clarke with the Congressional Black Caucus, Judy Chu with the CAPAC – with the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus – Asian-American Pacific Islander initiative, all – every newcomer to our country is affected. Family is affected by this.

So thank you, Mr. Aguilar, for your leadership in the Congress on this. Another generation of fresh leadership, fighting this fight for Dreamers and for our country. And other pieces of legislation that are part of the [Dream and] Promise Act. And thank you, Raul Ruiz, for your leadership as well.

Zoe Lofgren has been a champion in the Judiciary Committee. You know, she taught – she – she was an immigration lawyer. She taught immigration law. She's a Chair of the Immigration Subcommittee. She has it covered from every angle. So her guidance is very important to us.

But your mobilization is the most important part of it. Home is here! Thank you all very much. Thank you.