WASHINGTON, D.C. – (February 14, 2018) – The following is a statement from Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Click here to see AHLA’s letter to Senate leadership. 

“The hotel industry is fundamentally an industry of people. Our employees are as global as our guests. We are proud of our diverse workforce, which includes a large component of international workers, both permanent residents of the United States and those here temporarily for employment.

“That’s why it’s imperative that Congress and the Administration to find a permanent solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The hotel industry is a significant employer of DACA recipients, and AHLA has been a leader in advocating for a legislative solution to provide them with permanent status. Unfortunately, we are well past the point of avoiding disruption to businesses and, more importantly, the lives of our employees and their families. Protecting DACA recipients is both compassionate and common sense. We implore the Senate to find a permanent legislative solution that provides Dreamers with the legal certainty they deserve.

“We thank Senator McConnell and Senator Schumer for their leadership on this issue, and stand ready to support them in passing a permanent legislative solution for DACA recipients.”