National leaders, grassroots activists, corporate titans, leading editorial boards, select Republicans, and a strong majority of the American people are in agreement: DACA should be preserved until Congress enacts a clean Dream Act that provides a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers.
Among the key voices making the case:
Washington Post editorial, “Will the Divider in Chief Strike Again?”: “There is no clamor for ending DACA, which polls suggest enjoys broad public support. Ending the program would be a cruel betrayal and a gratuitous blow against the very people Mr. Trump just months ago described as ‘incredible.’”
Bloomberg editorial, “What Donald Trump Owes Dreamers”: “There is no good reason to deny Dreamers’ participation in American life, and to deny Americans the benefits of Dreamers’ participation in the economy. In a world of complicated trade-offs, easing the path of Dreamers into education, employment and citizenship is an easy call. Trump should keep the promise to Dreamers. And Congress should pass the Dream Act of 2017 to secure it.”
Miami Herald editorial: “Come to DACA’s Defense, Mr. Trump”: “ending this program, DACA, would be a callous and inhumane act, wholly un-American … If President Trump is to consider this DACA dilemma ‘with heart,’ then his decision can be no other than to leave DACA in place and provide a vigorous defense should it have its day in court. The best thing he could do would be urge Congress to get to work on a comprehensive and fair immigration policy — the lack of which continues to play havoc with people’s lives.”
Arizona Republic editorial, “Is Donald Trump Man Enough to Save DACA?”: “This is a decision of great magnitude. The lives and futures of many children and families are at stake. Such a decision should not be made in response to threats or political agendas. Trump faces a false deadline imposed by the attorneys general from Texas and nine other GOP-led states, who threaten to sue if he doesn’t end DACA by Sept. 5. The president should call their bluff … DACA remains a necessary stopgap to provide a sense of security to these young people until Congress acts. Anybody who has a heart can see that. Trump needs to keep DACA in place and use his considerable bully pulpit to persuade Congress to finally pass the Dream Act.”
Newt Gingrich, via the Associated Press: “‘To me, it would be utterly irrational to pick a fight over the Dreamers,’ Gingrich said, adding that ending the program would further hamper the president and isolate his administration. Gingrich said senior Trump aides who believe DACA is unconstitutional were using the lawsuit threat as an ‘excuse’ to push Trump to act. Instead, he said, the president would be wise to let the deadline pass, and call on Congress to approve legislation protecting those covered by the program.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in Alan Gomez’s USAToday story on “We Are With Dreamers” sign-on statement: “Five years ago we made a promise to them that they could continue to stay here and work towards achieving their American dreams. Now there are national leaders cruelly threatening to break that promise, a move that would fly in the face of everything we stand for as a nation that welcomes those seeking opportunity for a better life. As governor I will do everything I can to keep our Dreamers safe here, at home.”
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, in story by Politico Florida’s Sergio Bustos: “The president should summon the moral courage to do the right thing and stand by these talented young people. They talk like Americans, eat like Americans, and think like Americans. They should be able to dream like Americans.”
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush supports Dreamers: “Come to DACA’s defense, Mr. Trump… With Presidential leadership, this can be resolved.”
“New York City march held ahead of President Trump’s DACA decision” via ABC7NY: “Thousands are marching in New York City Wednesday to defend DACA following reports that President Donald Trump may soon announce the end to protections for 800,000 young immigrants in the United States. Organizers say the protesters came together for a mass march to insist on dignity and justice for immigrant communities.”
“1,850 U.S. leaders to Trump: Don’t kill DREAMer protection program” by Alan Gomez in USA Today: “Trump is considering ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which President Barack Obama created. It has granted deportation protections to nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children. Eight governors, five state attorneys general, more than 130 mayors, 230 state legislators, and a slew of faith leaders, judges, police chiefs and sheriffs signed onto a statement asking Trump to reconsider. The vast majority of the signers are Democrats, including all the governors and attorneys general. They represent states ranging from California and Oregon to Minnesota, New York and Virginia. The list includes several Republicans, as well, such as Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and Aurora (Colo.) Mayor Steve Hogan.”
A “top Silicon Valley executive” to Mike Allen of Axios: “‘There’s no issue that’s more gut-wrenching for us. These are people who came out of the shadows, got jobs and mortgages — we see this as betraying fellow Americans. … This is consuming a ton of time at every major company.’ … [Allen then summarizes] Scores of high profile CEOs would pummel him publicly if he clears the way for mass deportation of kids. A similar dynamic has unfolded with his own staff, many of whom have faced pressure in social and family circles with each controversial move. Imagine the blowback if they stood by silently as kids were deported. One person close to the White House said: ‘This is different. This is families being torn apart. This is something that will follow [the aides] when they go back to real life.’”
Vox story by Jeff Stein, “The Resistance is Ready for Its Next Big Fight with Trump”: “The progressive resistance to President Donald Trump is gearing up for its next big fight — trying to protect 800,000 immigrants who could suddenly be vulnerable to deportation.”
New NBC poll shows strong support for Dreamers and DACA: “More than half of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, while nearly two-thirds said they support a program allowing “Dreamers” to stay in the U.S., which Trump is expected to end, according to a new NBC News SurveyMonkey poll.”
According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice Education Fund:
If President Trump allows his hand to be forced by the likes of Ken Paxton, Jeff Sessions and Stephen Miller, he will be committing a mistake of historic proportions. A decision that plunges 800,000 young people into crisis – forcing them to give up jobs, college careers, drivers licenses, and homes – will be recorded as one of the cruelest moves of his presidency. The reaction will be swift, the backlash will be intense, and the issue will dominate Congress until a clean Dream Act is enacted. The more direct path is right in front of the President: tell Paxton to back off, tell Sessions and Miller to get lost and tell America that we are going to keep things as they are until Congress does its job.
