Born in Manhattan, raised in Queens and transplanted to the Mid-Hudson Catskill region over the last 30 years between Ulster and Sullivan Counties has galvanized my support of the Dreamers in our neighborhoods and in the country.

My rural home is an agricultural area which has been developed as a food processing corridor. Many of these families have become an extended part of my family and have a Dreamer in their household. These families have long been the cornerstone locally of agri-business, and for the food processing industries in our region.

This is a legislative emergency, and it is an immediate threat to the stability of these individuals, these families and our community. For this reason, we must urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, and Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, that offers a lasting solution for Dreamers to live without fear of deportation and be recognized as part of this great nation. It is a solution that not only benefits us, but also benefits the economy. It is estimated that over $433 billion in GDP would be lost over the next decade if Dreamers lose their jobs and are subject to deportation. However, the benefits go beyond dollar signs. Dreamers are educators, health professionals, service men and women, fulfilling a vast number of roles that benefit the lives of all Americans on a daily basis. Congress should pass the DREAM Act now.

Some misconceptions that surround the Dreamers: That they don't pay taxes and are on welfare. This is not true. They pay income taxes — $11.64 billion a year, and they cannot collect welfare benefits. Some say that they are criminals, also not true — Dreamers cannot have a criminal record to apply for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).

I would also ask that we all join together in communicating to our Representative John Faso of the 19th Congressional District, who has shown concern and support for these young people in his district. Now is the time for Congressman Faso to join in and sign on to the 2017 Dream Act. We cannot go wrong standing with this group of scholars, servicemen and contributors to our community, they will surely persist and make us all proud.

Sandra Cuellar Oxford is a member of the Working Families Party, State Committee, and a Union Representative for the UFCW Local 888.