We all benefit when 'Dreamers' become citizens. Congress shouldn't wait to act

“Dreamers” are our kids. While not born in the United States, they are raised as Americans.

They participate in our communities, help drive our local economies and love our country. So, why are they living at the mercy of Congress?

More than 70% of the American public supports a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers.” Yet, these young people remain in citizenship limbo, with limited options at a time when many are just about to begin the next phase of their lives as engaged young adults.

It is time for Congress to do the right thing.

Who are 'Dreamers?' Bright, successful youths

Who are “Dreamers?” They are children brought to America because of the circumstances and decisions of their parents. The United States is the only country they know, and they are, in every other respect, as American as any citizen.

Reyna Montoya’s story is one Arizona example. As a child, she was brought to Arizona by her parents who were fleeing violence as her father stood up to corruption. Today, Reyna is recognized as a community leader in Arizona and has won multiple accolades, including Forbes’ 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur.

Darian Benitez, a recent graduate of Brophy College Preparatory, is a “Dreamer” who was brought to Arizona when he was 4 years old. Because the state of Arizona made him ineligible for in-state tuition, he left our state to pursue a degree at Harvard.

Bright, successful youth such as Reyna and Darian are an essential element of the future of our cities, and are vital to the success of our state.

Reyna and Darian are currently protected from deportation by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but that protection is temporary and tenuous. DACA alone is not the answer.

Uncertainty for them is greater than ever

Since 2012, the DACA program has provided temporary administrative relief from deportation to these children. Yet, in July, a lone federal judge in Texas ruled the DACA program unlawful, ordering the government to stop processing new DACA applications.

Now, the level of uncertainty for “Dreamers” and their families is greater than ever. Instead of moving forward, we are going backward.

More than 800,000 DACA eligible youth have applied and received DACA status. Across the country, there are more than 616,000 DACA recipients, with 23,010 DACA recipients living in Arizona. DACA-eligible immigrants account for more than half a million essential jobs, including 62,000 in the health care field.

DACA-eligible individuals contribute $4 billion annually in local, state and federal taxes. Here in Arizona, our 36,000-plus “Dreamers” pay more than $93 million in federal taxes and $87 million in state taxes – revenue that helps fund our libraries, police departments and schools.

'Dreamers' deserve more than this

Creating a permanent, just and inclusive solution for “Dreamers” and immigrant communities is more critical now than ever. We all benefit when “Dreamers” are citizens.

Congress has the opportunity to end the legal limbo for “Dreamers” and provide a pathway to citizenship. This is a pragmatic and long overdue fix that most Arizonans and Americans want federal lawmakers to tackle before the end of their legislative session this year.

As mayors who constantly witness the local contributions “Dreamers” make to our communities, we encourage Congress to prioritize legislation that creates a path to citizenship for these young men and women.

“Dreamers” should not be condemned to live their lives bearing the load of constant uncertainty. It is unacceptable and immoral.

The time to resolve this is now. Let’s come together, leave partisanship aside, and do what’s right for our Arizona “Dreamers”.

Kate Gallego is mayor of Phoenix. John Giles is mayor of Mesa.