Former First Lady Michelle Obama used the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago to deliver a forceful message on immigration, arguing that so-called “Dreamers” are an integral part of the American story.
Speaking before a crowd of political leaders, celebrities, and supporters on Thursday, Obama praised undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and have spent most of their lives in the country.
“Dreamers aren’t Americans, too. They are America. They are the beating heart of this country. They are us and we are them,” Obama said during her remarks.
The term “Dreamers” generally refers to individuals who entered the United States illegally as minors or were brought into the country by their parents and have since built their lives in America. The issue has remained a central point of debate in national immigration policy for more than a decade.
Obama framed the topic as one of shared humanity and civic responsibility.
“And to refuse to respect the contributions and experiences of people who are not exactly like us,” she said, “puts us all at risk.”
She continued by warning against dehumanizing others based on differences in background or status.
“Failing to recognize the humanity in all people puts us all on a slippery slope.”
The comments came during the official opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a major project on Chicago’s South Side. The center was funded through private donations at a reported cost of $850 million. Infrastructure improvements associated with the project added another $350 million, with those costs shared by state and local government.
MICHELLE OBAMA: “Dreamers… are the beating heart of this country.” pic.twitter.com/tJiyG7ajXY
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 18, 2026
The ceremony itself reflected the broad political and cultural network surrounding the former president and first lady. Attendees included former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
A number of prominent entertainers and media figures were also present, including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Stephen Colbert, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, and John Legend.
The event began with a land acknowledgment recognizing the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, and the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations.
While the center’s opening focused primarily on Barack Obama’s legacy and the institution’s future role, Michelle Obama’s remarks on immigration quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the day.
