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Frank Sharry on Trump’s Latest Dreamer Comments: “Unfortunately, We Expect No Pivot and No Softening”

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In a new interview with Time magazine released today, Donald Trump “did not back off his pledge to end” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program for DREAMers and offered a vague attempt to reassure those concerned about the fate of DREAMers, saying, “We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud … They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in never-never land because they don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund reacting to the latest from Trump:

“Before anyone falls into the trap of believing that Trump is ‘softening’ on immigration, they should remember that we’ve seen this movie before.  Recall that Trump’s supposed ‘softening’ this summer was followed by his darkest and most nativist immigration speech in Phoenix.

Trump has promised to revoke DACA work permits and expose DREAMers to deportation on Day 1 of his presidency. That pledge remains intact today.

If Trump is serious about making people “happy and proud,” he would reverse his position on canceling DACA and maintain the policy until he works with Congress to pass a broad, ample and stand-alone DREAM Act.  He would also shelve plans to deport millions of other hardworking immigrants who have built lives and families in America, and call on Congress to pass humane immigration reform.  Those policies are supported by the vast majority of Americans, but they’re not what Trump campaigned on and we do not expect he will govern on them either.

Unfortunately, we expect no pivot and no softening.  But we are mounting a massive resistance to Trump’s immigration plans.  There is a growing movement of states, cities, colleges, faith communities, and people of conscience who are pledging to stand up to Trump’s immigration policy vision and stand up for their immigrant family members and friends.  The safety and well-being of millions of Americans and aspiring Americans are on the line.”