Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.) told Democratic leaders on Wednesday that they must go beyond DACA recipients to "take care of" their families as well.
Jayapal appeared on an episode of "Democrats Live," a show hosted by Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez and vice chair Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.). Jayapal discussed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and the Dream Act, which would provide legal protections for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors, or so-called Dreamers.
DACA is an executive order issued by former President Barack Obama that declined to enforce certain federal immigration laws for Dreamers. President Donald Trump rescinded the order earlier this month. He has since sought, along with Democratic congressional leaders, to strike a deal to enshrine the order as a formal law, which would be the Dream Act.
According to Jayapal, immigration reform is a "critical victory" and a "must win."
"The Dream Act is a critical victory; we must win that," she said.
"We've got to take care of these 800,000 young people," Jayapal added, "but also all the people who didn't apply for DACA, or don't qualify for the Dream Act."
"Then we've also gotta take care of their families, right. They're saying to us, 'Even if you take care of us, whats going to happen to our parents?'" she said.