By Laura DeKoven Waxman
July 2, 2012

In Orlando, 32 mayors, including many Conference of Mayors leaders, co'sponsored a policy resolution calling on the Department of Homeland Security to create a program allowing DREAM Act eligible youth to apply for provisional status on a case-by-case basis, thus removing their fear of deportation and allowing them to remain in the United States to pursue further education, work, or serve in the military. North Miami Mayor André Pierre introduced the resolution in the Criminal and Social Justice Committee, which reported it out on June 13. It was discussed further by the Immigration Reform Task Force the next day. The effort was orchestrated by former Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.

On the morning of June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that, "Effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings." She explained further that, "Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization."

A few hours later, President Obama discussed the new policy in the White House Rose Garden. "Now, let's be clear — this is not amnesty, this is not immunity. This is not a path to citizenship. It's not a permanent fix," the President said. "This is a temporary stopgap measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while giving a degree of relief and hope to talented, driven, patriotic young people." And because this is a temporary measure, the President called on Congress to pass the DREAM Act this year and to pass comprehensive immigration reform. "As long as I'm President, I will not give up on this issue, not only because it's the right thing to do for our economy — and CEOs agree with me — not just because it's the right thing to do for our security, but because it's the right thing to do, period," Obama continued.

Reacting to the President's announcement, Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa said, "By ending the deportation of certain young immigrants and making them eligible to work in this country, President Obama has taken a bold step in the direction of a more humane and more sensible immigration policy….The President has also protected young immigrants, many of whom have been here since they were infants and have spent their whole lives in this country. Instead of fearing deportation, instead of facing the prospect of being separated from their loved ones, hundreds of thousands of young people can now do what generations of their predecessors have done. They can contribute their energy and enthusiasm and their dreams and determination to their new home and help drive the future prosperity and growth of the United States." Villaraigosa went on to say, "This is only a first step and much still needs to be done," and called on Congress to pass the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.

Also reacting to the announcement was Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas, Chair of the Conference of Mayors Task Force on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, thanked President Obama and Napolitano for their leadership and said that he has "…been deeply troubled that these young men and women, that are here illegally through no fault of their own, and who we have allowed to serve and die for this county in the armed forces have had no path to being considered for citizenship. While the Administration feels that legislation is required to create the path to citizenship, I am happy that these young men and woman can now come out of the shadows and pursue their dreams of success without fear of deportation."

The resolution was unanimously adopted by the full Conference of Mayors during the June 16 business session. When she presented the Criminal and Social Justice Committee's resolutions to the body, Acting Chair Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder said, "As you know, yesterday the President announced that the Administration will allow DREAM Act eligible students to apply for deferred action, granting them protection against deportation and the ability to get work authorization. I am pleased to report today that this is exactly what one of our resolutions calls for."