WASHINGTON, DC – Artists and entertainers at Sunday’s 90th Annual Academy Awards ceremony made powerful statements of support for immigrants and Dreamers at the star-studded event, using their platforms to speak out for immigrants and stand with them. Acclaimed directors Guillermo Del Toro and Alejandro González Iñárritu and film producer Jordan Horowitz and actor Kumail Nanjiani demonstrated their strong support while wearing “I Am An Immigrant” and “I Stand With Immigrants” pins on the red carpet, while actors Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani made a heartfelt appeal on behalf of Dreamers as they presented the Academy Award for production design:
“We are… immigrants… and like everyone in this room, and everyone watching at home, we are dreamers,” declared actor Lupita Nyong’o. “Dreams are the foundation of Hollywood, and dreams are the foundation of America.”
“And so — to all the Dreamers out there, we stand with you,” asserted Kumail Nanjiani.
The robust demonstration of support for immigrant communities highlights the many ways that immigrants impact and contribute to our nation’s culture and economy. The award-winning artists’ support comes at a particularly meaningful time, as today marks the deadline given to Congress to pass legislation to protect Dreamers who continue to live their lives in fear and uncertainty until lawmakers act to pass legislation protect them from deportation. Substantially more Dreamers lose DACA protections everyday following the March 5th deadline.
