WASHINGTON, D.C., September 1, 2017 — The Niskanen Center is proud to support the immigration reform bills put forth by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL). The ‘Recognizing America’s Children’ (RAC) Act is a balanced, conservative approach that provides a permanent answer to one of the most urgent issues affecting the country.

The RAC Act establishes an earned pathway to citizenship for immigrants who came to the United States under the age of 16 and before 2012. It would ensure that over two million Dreamers will be eligible for legal status, as long as they have a clean record and graduate college, sustain employment, or enlist in the military.

“I applaud Senator Tillis for demonstrating bold leadership and dedication in identifying constructive, conservative solutions to our nation’s most difficult problems,” says Jerry Taylor, president of the Niskanen Center. “This permanent, legislative, Republican-led initiative protects Dreamers who work, study, or serve in the military.”

Taylor adds, “Republicans should embrace this historic opportunity to pass meaningful immigration reform.”

According to original economic analysis by Niskanen’s Karl Smith and Jeremy L. Neufeld, the passage of the RAC Act will create 115,000 new jobs and add $79 billion to GDP over the next decade.

“As the Niskanen study demonstrates, Dreamers are high-achieving and well-educated individuals who will provide a tremendous economic boost to our country for years to come,” says Linda Chavez, senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and former official in numerous Republican administrations. “Sen. Tillis deserves praise for promoting a conservative Dreamer solution that outlines an organized process by which talented and hard-working young undocumented individuals can earn legal status.”

Chavez notes, “Such a proposal is hugely popular amongst the American people—Republicans and Democrats alike—and should have the support of this Congress.”

We applaud Sen. Tillis’ leadership in tackling positive reforms to our immigration system, and look forward to continuing our engagement on Capitol Hill to protect these young immigrants permanently.

To view our economic impact report, click here.

The Niskanen Center is a Washington, D.C.-based libertarian think tank that works to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.

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