As a former state senator and Chair of the International Trade and Tourism Committee, I have met Alaskans from all walks of life who continue to amaze me. Thanksgiving only reinforces what I learned in the Alaska Legislature: Alaskans are compassionate and hardworking.
In these times, it is more important than ever to remember this spirit of acceptance, and reflect on why we are grateful to be Alaskans. At Thanksgiving, I feel grateful for the generosity I’ve witnessed time and again when residents welcome transplants and their families to our state. Alaskans understand that the hands and labor of newcomers have always played a major role in building community and strengthening Alaska’s economy.
That’s why I know readers are with me when I say: Congress needs to pass legislation that will allow the nation’s 800,000 Dreamers to stay in this country — permanently. Previously, Dreamers were protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was rescinded by President Trump on Sept. 5, passing the torch to Congress to find them a long-term legislative solution. These young men and women were brought to this country when they were very young. They came to United States illegally, but through no fault of their own.
Justice is not served by sending them home.
This state is not served by sending them home either. We’ll lose workers. We’ll lose students who are pursuing degrees so they can teach in our schools or heal patients in our hospitals. We’ll break apart families and, because at least 5 percent of Dreamers are also entrepreneurs, we could actually lose entire businesses.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has already said she’ll support legislation that will offer Dreamers a shot at permanent residency. I hope U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, will decide to join her.
The Dream Act is a bipartisan legislative solution for Dreamers in the Senate. The Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act in the House has increasingly gained Republican momentum. These two pieces of legislation are not all that different. Both would require Dreamers to work, go to school, or serve in the U.S. military. Both would require Dreamers to pay taxes and have clean law enforcement and security records. Neither would offer citizenship immediately, or let Dreamers jump current immigration lines.
Both would help our economy by creating jobs. The Niskanen Center, a nonpartisan think tank, estimates the House’s RAC Act would increase our state growth by $87 million over 10 years and would generate $23 million in new tax revenues.
This study reflects what we know of immigration more broadly. According to the New American Economy, foreign-born Alaska residents hold $1.4 billion in spending power. They pay $437 million in taxes and are responsible for creating more than 15,500 jobs. Together they make up three-quarters of the workers in our food and seafood industry. We know foreign-born individuals are more likely to graduate from college and that diversity is one of the most important ways we can attract and retain young talent to Anchorage.
Most Americans share one thing with Anchorage residents: multiple polls have found eight in 10 Americans support a permanent legislative solution for the Dreamers, and that includes more than three-quarters of Republican voters.
This year, I will join hands with my son and dear friends at the Thanksgiving table, and reflect on the many things that make me grateful to be Alaskan, including our diverse, industrious approach to community and new friends.
I hope Sen. Sullivan will help us in this mission by supporting the Dream Act or similar legislation much like Sen. Murkowski. These Dreamers are as American as they come, yet could be stripped from the only home they’ve ever known if a long-term legislative solution is not found by the March 5 deadline. Thanksgiving is a time to embrace our neighbors and vibrant communities, and celebrate belonging to this country. There is no better time to put the hearts and minds of Dreamers, their families, and their loved ones at ease before the holiday season.
Former state senator Lesil McGuire served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and in the senate from 2007 to 2016. My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.
