“President Trump’s latest action, to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, is a mean-spirited attack on young immigrants who contribute greatly to our economy and our country. Thanks to DACA, since 2012 nearly 800,000 young people who came to the United States as children have been granted temporary protection from deportation, allowing them to come out of the shadows and live, study and work in the only country most have ever called home. They deserve the security of knowing their status is secure, not to have their fate left up to Congress. Ending this program now creates grave uncertainty about their future and undermines our country’s core values. It is another unjust, indefensible attack on a vulnerable community and on the rich diversity that has always been one of our nation’s greatest strengths.

DACA recipients embody the American dream. Ninety-five percent are working or in school and, collectively, they contribute $1.2 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue per year. They do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens or to be denied equal opportunity and the chance to succeed.

The DACA program is popular with voters. Seventy-three percent of those who voted for President Trump want young people who are undocumented to be able to stay in the United States legally. Yet President Trump apparently does not agree. Coupled with his deeply disturbing remarks about the violence in Charlottesville, his unconscionable pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his heartless immigration policies, which have torn families apart and denied basic services to people in grave danger, today’s action shows once again that our president is comfortable with racism and bigotry and rejects the values most Americans hold dear.

Treating immigrant communities fairly is essential to creating a society that is free, fair and just, where nobody has to experience discrimination and all families can thrive. We endorse the bipartisan DREAM Act, which was reintroduced this year by Senators Lindsey Graham (R – S.C.) and Dick Durbin (D – Ill.) and would provide a path to citizenship for DACA recipients. Congress should make its passage a high priority.”