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Labor organizations, companies urge Congress to find a solution for 'Dreamers'

Dozens of labor groups and businesses are calling on Congress to come up with a permanent solution for "Dreamers" to stay in the U.S. Dreamers is the collective term for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as kids — including those who have the Obama-era program DACA.

DACA has given hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people temporary protection from deportation and a work permit. But now the program could come to an end after more than ten years because of an ongoing court battle waged by GOP-led states. 

In a  letter to Congressional leaders this week, companies like AirBnb and Amazon say Dreamers make essential contributions to the American economy — both as part of the workforce and as consumers who contribute millions in tax revenue to federal, state and local governments. 

In September, a federal judge in Texas  ruled the Biden administration's version of the DACA program is illegal. The case is now likely headed to the Supreme Court.

They say now — as the fate of the program hangs yet again in the balance in a federal appeals court — it’s up to Congress to ensure Dreamers are allowed to stay and work in the U.S.

Alisa Reznick is a senior field correspondent covering stories across southern Arizona and the borderlands for the Tucson bureau of KJZZ's Fronteras Desk.