Sylvia Garcia leads Houston event urging House to pass Dream and Promise Act as dreamers describe renewal delays

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia urged the U.S. House to pass the American Dream and Promise Act at a Houston press conference where DACA recipients described renewal delays that they say threaten jobs and carry the risk of detention and deportation.

Garcia framed DACA as a promise that has yet to be fulfilled and said ‘‘the House must vote on the American Dream and Promise Act.’’ She said the program was intended to ‘‘defer action’’ against people brought to the United States as children and called on Congress to make the protections permanent.

The event included brief remarks from Rep. Al Green and Rep. Christian Menefee, one‑minute statements from State Rep. Christina Morales and City Council member Alejandra Salinas, and testimony from several DACA recipients about the effects of delayed renewals.

‘‘Do you stand with dreamers?’’ Garcia asked, urging members of Congress to answer the question publicly.

Rep. Al Green read reporting about Social Security projections and argued that ‘‘declining immigration is also expected to weaken Social Security’s finances’’ because fewer workers would be paying into the system. Green said that long‑term reliance on young workers adds an economic argument to the call for protections.

Several DACA recipients described personal and employment consequences they say flow from renewal delays. Marco Antonio Cruz Dinares said he submitted a renewal application in January and that his DACA will expire on June 25, 2026. ‘‘If my DACA renewal is not in by the 25th, I will be placed on a 30‑day leave of absence from my job,’’ he said, adding that losing employment could put him at risk of detention or deportation.

Wendy Flores, who described herself as a DACA recipient working in behavioral services, said the uncertainty ‘‘weighs heavily on our mental well‑being and our stability.’’ Flores cited figures she attributed to advocacy research, saying DACA recipients ‘‘contribute an estimated $9,400,000,000 in federal, state, and local taxes each year and generate $25,000,000,000 in spending power,’’ and that nearly 300,000 serve in roles ‘‘deemed essential to the nation’s infrastructure.’’ Those figures were presented by Flores as estimates.

Another speaker, who was introduced from the stage as Daniel Banda but who identified himself in remarks as Daniel Bridal, said he grew up in Texas and pleaded for a permanent pathway to citizenship. ‘‘This is a 5 alarm fire,’’ he said, urging Congress to act.

Susana Duran, who identified herself as the Houston organizing manager of the Workers Defense Action Fund, said the organization’s membership is largely immigrant and voiced support for ‘‘citizenship for all.’’ The congresswoman also noted local elected officials and advocates who joined the event.

Garcia closed by thanking the mayor’s office for allowing the group to use Legacy Hall and left the event open to questions. She said litigation over DACA is ongoing in federal court in Houston and repeated her call for Congress to ‘‘keep the promise’’ by passing legislation that provides permanent protections.

The press conference did not include formal votes or legislative action; organizers urged the House to bring the American Dream and Promise Act to the floor.