President elect, Donald Trump and his administration have succeeded in ending DACA – a program protecting the descendants of undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.
This program allowed for nearly 800,000 to live in America free from deportation. As of today, Homeland Security will no longer process as Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is no longer withheld.
Obama implicated this program 5 years ago allowing almost a million people to live in peace and fuel the economy freely. The ‘Dreamers’ as they call them know nothing but US soil as they’ve been here for the mass majority of their lives and feel more connected to American cultures.
Former president Barack Obama also speaks out.
“Let’s be clear: The action taken today isn’t required legally,” Obama said.
“It’s a political decision, and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us.”
“They are that pitcher on our kid’s softball team, that first responder who helps out his community after a disaster, that cadet in ROTC who wants nothing more than to wear the uniform of the country that gave him a chance,” Obama said.
“Kicking them out won’t lower the unemployment rate, or lighten anyone’s taxes, or raise anybody’s wages … Ultimately, this is about basic decency.”
Congress has until March of 2018 to help those with already approved DACA statuses. House speaker, Paul Ryan, says
“It is my hope that the House and Senate, with the president’s leadership, will be able to find consensus on a permanent legislative solution that includes ensuring that those who have done nothing wrong can still contribute as a valued part of this great country.”