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ARLINGTON, Va.— In an on-the-record press call today, leaders from The LIBRE Initiative, Americans for Prosperity, Freedom Partners and Hilario Yanez – a Dreamer from Houston, TX – called on the president and Congress to settle on a bipartisan compromise to resolve the government shutdown through a deal that includes a permanent solution for Dreamers and increased security at the border. The call came in advance of a national addresses this evening by the president and Congressional leaders regarding border security and the situation at the southern border.

Below are excerpts from today’s media call. You can find a link to the full audio of the by clicking here.

Dreamer Hilario Yanez:

“I came here when I was one year old. And luckily by the Grace of God I was able to live the American dream through DACA… now I don’t know what the future looks like because DACA could be just wiped out, out of nowhere through the Supreme Court.

…

“It’s been frustrating. It’s been worrisome that I don’t know what the future looks like. It’s hard to plan every two years, and I don’t know how long I can do that. And right now I believe is the perfect time to come together, both parties, to unite and fix DACA once and for all.

…

“In times like this when we’ve been so divided, there’s never been a better time to come together, united, so I’m really hopeful for that. I want to see the president succeed, I want to see Congress succeed and I want to see this country succeed.”

The LIBRE Initiative President Daniel Garza:

“We’re looking for President Trump to make the case for a bipartisan solution.

…

“Americans have seen one opportunity after another to unite around a bipartisan solution on either DACA or border security squandered by both sides. The level of frustration has only increased. People expect their elected leadership to find solutions by working together, not promoting an agenda of obstinacy…but compromises need consensus from both sides and pairing a DACA solution and border funding has the support of people across the country.

“Americans know that Dreamers continue to strengthen our economy and our nation—folks like Hilario. This is a moment to deliver security and certainty to citizens in our country.”

AFP President Tim Phillips:

“It’s been literally decades since Congress and the president came together to genuinely fix our country’s failing immigration laws. And it is hurting so many people. So we are urging the President and the Congress, right now, to seize this opportunity that we see, and that we think a lot of people see, which will do two things: Provide a genuinely permanent solution for Dreamers and provide security at the southern border.  This is a reasonable deal. It is time for both parties, and for the Congress and the administration, to seize an opportunity that is right in front of them. This very solution has been talked about for a while—certainly our network has talked about it for a long time—and were once again at this key moment urging it…So, let’s get this done.”

Freedom Partners Vice President James Davis:

“We see this as an opportunity to end the shutdown, provide certainty for Dreamers and security for the country.”

BACKGROUND ON OUR EFFORTS:

The LIBRE Initiative, Freedom Partners Launch TV ad Supporting Dreamer, Border Deal

USA Today op-ed: ‘Dreamers’ might be key to ending the government shutdown, by Mark Holden

TIME: Koch Network to Push for Legal Status for Dreamers in 2019

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Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites activists in 35 states behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org. Freedom Partners is a non-profit, non-partisan chamber of commerce dedicated to protecting freedom and expanding opportunity for every American—no matter where they live, what they do or how much money they have.