WASHINGTON, D.C. — Conservative leaders are insisting on finding a solution for Dreamers as reports emerge that the Trump administration is considering ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
This week, six Republican members of Congress from California, Florida, Nebraska and New York wrote a letter urging the administration to keep DACA in place “until we can pass a permanent legislative solution,” citing DACA recipients’ economic contributions and the threat posed by diverting enforcement resources toward people with deferred status.
In addition, conservative faith, law enforcement and business leaders around the country spoke in support after last month’s bipartisan introduction of the DREAM Act in the Senate and House. “We must find a way forward for these young people, who are American in everything but paperwork,” two Texas evangelical pastors wrote earlier in July.
An April Morning Consult poll found that 73 percent of Trump voters, and 78 percent of voters overall, believe Dreamers should be allowed to remain in the country.
“Recipients of deferred action are our friends, our colleagues and classmates, the family one pew over in church,” said Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum. “The administration should keep DACA in place until the president can sign a solution into law.
“The merits of a legislative solution for Dreamers stand on their own. It’s a good deal for American workers, period. DACA recipients are a key part of a healthy economy.
“The ball is squarely in Congress’ court. Only Republicans in Congress can address our broken immigration system in a way that lifts us up rather than divides us. They need to act.”