GALEO Applauds The Coca-Cola Company for their support of DREAM’ers & a bipartisan Congressional solution

(ATLANTA, GEORGIA) September 22, 2017 – Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO released the following statement regarding the signing of a letter from business leaders to include The Coca-Cola Company and their support of a bipartisan DREAM Act.

Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies across the country have signed on to this letter, including Starbucks, HP, Hilton Hotels, Salesforce, AirBNB, Uber, Facebook, Microsoft, Walmart, GM, Marriott, Target, Apple, Amazon, Visa, Pepsi, Google, IBM and others.

To have one of the largest corporations in our state, Coca-Cola, stand in solidarity with our nation’s brightest young minds demonstrates that the company continues its social responsibility of always standing up for moral issues that affect our nation. GALEO will gladly work with Coca-Cola as we work with leaders in our state to find a legislative solution for individuals who are helping our state grow and prosper.

GALEO would like to sincerely thank everyone who was involved in making this happen, including J.A.M. “Sandy” Douglas, Executive Vice President and President Coca-Cola North America, for signing on to the letter.

GALEO also urges other Fortune 500 companies in Georgia to follow Coca-Cola’s lead and stand for what is right in this crucial time.”

Text of letter:

With the rescission of the DACA program, it is urgent that Congress immediately pass the bipartisan Dream Act- or similar legislation – that gives Dreamers the permanent legislative solution they deserve.

Without a permanent legislative solution before next March, roughly 800,000 DACA recipients will lose their ability to work and study legally, will be forced from their jobs, and will be subject to immediate deportation. Further, without congressional action, our economy would lose $460.3 billion from the national GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions.

Congressional action and a permanent legislative solution is the only path forward to prevent these devastating consequences. This is urgent, and we only have a few months to act.

All DACA recipients grew up in America, registered with our government, submitted to extensive background checks, and are diligently giving back to our communities and paying income taxes. More than 97 percent are in school or in the workforce, 5 percent started their own business, 65 percent have purchased a vehicle, and 16 percent have purchased their first home. At least 72 percent of the top 25 Fortune 500 companies count DACA recipients among their employees.

Dreamers are vital to the future of our companies and our economy. With them, we grow and create jobs. They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage.

We urge both parties in Congress to work together to pass the bipartisan Dream Act or similar legislation that gives Dreamers the permanent legislation they deserve.