For Immediate Release: June 16, 2026
Contact: [email protected]
TheDream.US highlights the economic contributions of DACA recipients as Chicago officials consider resolution recognizing 14 years of DACA
CHICAGO, IL — Today, Chicago leaders, immigrant advocates, and Dreamers gathered at City Hall to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and consider a resolution honoring the contributions of DACA recipients in Chicago, Illinois, and across the country.
During a meeting of the Chicago City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, advocates, community leaders, and DACA recipients reflected on the impact of the program since its creation in 2012 and the ongoing uncertainty facing hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who continue to live without permanent legal protections.
As part of the discussion, TheDream.US President and CEO Gaby Pacheco and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Hyein Lee presented data on the economic contributions of DACA recipients in Illinois and Chicago from the new report, “When Dreamers Rise, Our Cities Rise,” highlighting the important role Dreamers play in the state’s workforce, economy, and communities. The post-graduate outcomes of 371 Illinois TheDream.US Alumni featured in the report translates to an estimated $12M in annual earnings, $2.5M in local, state, and federal tax contributions, and a concentration of professional talent in Business, Education, Public and Social Services, and Health and Medicine. The presentation builds on a June 4 fireside conversation hosted by TheDream.US at Chicago’s National Public Housing Museum, where civic leaders, educators, philanthropists, and Dreamer Alumni discussed the report’s findings and the importance of expanding educational and economic opportunities for Dreamers. The report and event were also recently featured by the Walder Foundation, which highlighted how Dreamers are helping strengthen Chicago’s workforce, economy, and civic life while underscoring the need for a permanent legislative solution.
The resolution recognizes that nearly 27,000 DACA recipients live in Illinois and that thousands work in critical industries, contribute billions in taxes, and serve their communities as educators, healthcare professionals, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and public servants.
“Fourteen years after DACA was created, Dreamers continue to strengthen our communities, economy, and workforce as teachers, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and leaders,” said Gaby Pacheco, President and CEO of TheDream.US. “Yet hundreds of thousands of Dreamers still face uncertainty because Congress has failed to provide a permanent legislative solution. As we mark another DACA anniversary, we should be focused on creating stability and opportunity for the people who have already demonstrated their commitment to this country. Dreamers deserve the chance to continue learning, working, and contributing to the only home many have ever known.”
The discussion comes as many DACA recipients face growing uncertainty due to significant renewal processing delays. Across the country, Dreamers have reported losing jobs, being placed on unpaid leave, and postponing educational opportunities while waiting for renewal decisions. The resolution also calls on Congress to pass legislation providing Dreamers with a pathway to permanent legal status and citizenship. More than a decade after DACA’s creation, participants emphasized the need for a lasting legislative solution that would allow Dreamers to continue learning, working, and contributing to the country they call home.
About TheDream.US
TheDream.US is the nation’s leading organization supporting Dreamers at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, immigration, and advocacy. We’ve awarded over 13,000 scholarships to immigrant youth from 120+ countries and 45 states, with more than 5,000 graduates to date. We partner with close to 80 colleges in 19 states and Washington D.C. to provide scholarships, career support, and access to legal options that help Dreamers break through systemic barriers and achieve social mobility.
Through data, Scholar and Alumni stories, strategic partnerships, and targeted state and local advocacy, we work to expand equitable access to college, professional pathways, and permanent legal status. For more information on TheDream.US, visit www.thedream.us
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