Texas CEOs, University Presidents, and Lawmakers Held Immigration Summit in Support of Bipartisan Dream Act

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, a broad coalition of more than 200 business leaders and CEOs, university presidents and elected officials gathered at the "Texas Prospers: Keeping Our State Competitive and Prosperous through Bipartisan Dream Legislation" summit to call on Congress to pass a Dream Act without any further delay. The bipartisan Dream Act that would protect more than 200,000 Texas Dreamers that are key to the state’s economic prosperity. You can watch the recording here.

The event was attended by over 200 Texas business leaders and CEOs, university presidents, and bipartisan lawmakers, including Texas Republican House Speaker Joe Straus (retired), Chris Wallace, CEO, North Texas Commission, Thomas Mengler, President, St. Mary's University, Glenn Hamer, CEO, Texas Association of Business, Dennis Nixon, IBC Bank CEO, Melissa Stewart, Executive Director, Texas Restaurant Association Houston Chapter, Justin Yancy, President, Texas Business Leadership Council, and many more.

“This is a moment of historic opportunity — not just for the undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children, but for Texas, which is home to more DACA recipients than any state not named California. We believe this isn’t a partisan issue; it’s good policy and good business. It’s good for the future of Texas, and our Country. Providing Dreamers a path to permanent legal status — a chance to make good on the opportunities this country has given them — that’s the cornerstone of the American Dream," said Woody Hunt, Hunt Companies Senior Chairman and Co-Chair of the Texas Business Immigration Coalition. 

Joe Straus, former Texas Republican House Speaker said, “Pragmatic immigration policies that recognize immigrants' many contributions are good for Texas and directly tied to our economic success. It's critical that members of the business community work cooperatively with elected officials as we address immigration issues in a sensible way.”

"I look forward to supporting the leadership of St. Mary’s Law School alumnus Senator John Cornyn in passing a bipartisan Senate Dream Act. The time for a solution is now," Thomas Mengler, President of St. Mary's University said.

"On top of the stress of dealing with the pandemic, I worry about my future in the United States, about the possibility of the US District Court in Houston ruling that DACA is unconstitutional and the threat of another president taking away my ability to work and contribute to my community," said Jesus Contreras, Houston Paramedic and DACA recipient. "The time is right for a Dream Act that will protect hundreds of thousands of Dreamers like me from deportation and allow us to fully be part of the country that we call home."

This event was co-hosted by the Texas Business Immigration Coalition, American Business Immigration Coalition, and Texas Opportunity Coalition, and co-sponsored by the Texas Business Leadership Council, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education & Immigration, Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Community Colleges, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce, North Texas Commission, Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and The Libre Initiative.