Acclaimed documentary follows DACA recipient Sam Soliman’s journey after his mother’s deportation and highlights the ongoing fight for permanent protections
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the offices of Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) and Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), in cooperation with FWD.us and United We Dream, hosted a screening of the short film Almost American on Tuesday.
The film follows Sam Soliman as he navigates the emotional and legal realities of being a DACA recipient, highlighting the uncertainty that comes with a life in long-term legal limbo.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04), who attended the screening, underscored the need to fight for immigrant rights.
“I think it’s critical for us that we continue to do this kind of work, and the film that Sam put together is a very powerful statement on behalf of the effort that needs to be made to continue this fight,” said Ivey. “We need to fight this on all fronts to really have a chance to turn it around. It’s gonna take some time and the sad thing is in the meantime thousands of people’s lives are being undermined or destroyed. It’s a reminder for us every day of why we’ve been called to this mission to address this and fight against this.”
Following the viewing, a panel featuring Soliman, Gaby Pacheco of TheDream.us, Andrea Senteno of MALDEF, and Diana Pliego of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) discussed current challenges and attacks on the DACA program, the reality of life as a Dreamer, and the ongoing push for the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.
“Almost American is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Sam’s story captures the uncertainty, sacrifice, and emotional toll that far too many Dreamers and mixed-status families continue to face every day. Fourteen years after DACA was created, Dreamers are still living in limbo despite the countless contributions they have made to our nation. Their futures should not depend on court rulings or shifting political winds. They deserve permanent protections, stability, and a pathway to citizenship. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will continue leading the fight to honor Dreamers’ contributions and ensure they can live, work, and build their futures in the only country many of them have ever called home.” said CHC Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
“Almost American reminds us that DACA is not just a policy debate. It is about people, families, and futures that remain uncertain. Sam’s experience shows what too many Dreamers continue to face today: living one renewal at a time, never knowing whether a delay, a court decision, or a change in policy could turn their lives upside down. Dreamers have grown up here, built their lives here, and contributed to the only country many have ever known. They deserve more than temporary protections. They deserve stability and a pathway to citizenship.” said CHC Whip Rep. Sylvia Garcia.
“People who were brought to this country as children and have lived here for decades shouldn’t just dream about citizenship—they deserve a real chance to get it. DACA was never supposed to be the end of the conversation. Hundreds of thousands of Dreamers have been and continue to be trapped in uncertainty without a clear path forward. This film reminds us that Congress is long overdue in acting on the American Dream and Promise Act and in providing Dreamers with a concrete path to citizenship,” said Rep. Levin.
Co-directors Soliman and Saritha Rothermel, alongside co-producers Baktash Ahadi, Adrian Selkowitz, and Jasmine Hawamdeh, delivered Almost American to tell the story of Sam Soliman living as a DACA recipient in Pennsylvania. In August 2025, the government deported Sam’s mother to the Philippines.
You can view the full conversation on the CHC Youtube channel.
About the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is over 43 members strong. The CHC serves as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, please visit chc.house.gov.