NELP Statement in Response to Reports of Trump Administration’s Possible End to DACA

Washington, DC—The following is a statement from Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project:

“Reports that the Trump administration is considering putting an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are far from surprising, but they are still deeply troubling and completely reprehensible.

“DACA allows certain young people who came to this country before they turned 16 to live and work in the U.S., providing temporary relief from deportation. It is impossible to fully express the profound impact the program has had not only on the lives of hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth and their communities, but on our economy and our country as a whole.

“Though he has not yet touched DACA, it would not be at all out of character for this president to do so. Since his very first campaign speech, Trump has time and again used the power of his position to incite hate, violence, and disunity in our communities across the country.

“Because of the successful DACA program, 800,000 brave young people are living and flourishing in our country. They are students, teachers, doctors, parents, and small-business professionals who are integral to our communities and economies. This is their home, and they belong here.

“Donald Trump has made his stance towards immigrants and his propensity for hate-filled policy clear. But Republican officials have a choice. Are they going to protect the thousands of young adults who want only to continue with their lives, at home, or are they going to side with the white supremacists Trump continues to cater to, and stand back as the president wreaks havoc on the lives of these young Americans and our country as a whole?

“If they want to be on the right side of history, Republican officials should urge Trump to keep DACA, and they should do so immediately.”