WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today some of the most prominent national Latino and conservative leaders released the following statement regarding the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:
We have been encouraged by President Trump’s comments about the future the undocumented immigrants who have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Right after his inaugural, President Trump stated that DACA beneficiaries “shouldn’t be very worried” and later on he stated that “[w]e are gonna deal with DACA with heart.”
Today we call on the president to compassionately consider his decision regarding the future of DACA to ensure that those who have benefited from it are not adversely affected. While we recognize that this program was not created in the appropriate constitutional manner, we should remember that DACA beneficiaries were brought into the country as minors, not on their own volition. The United States of America is their home. In addition, numerous studies demonstrate that DREAMers in general and DACA recipients in particular are productive members of society who greatly contribute to our economy.
We, therefore, call on the president to ask Congress to pass DREAM ACT legislation to provide permanent legal status to DACA recipients. We also request that he maintain DACA in place until Congress decides to approve such legislation.
Rev. Sam Rodríguez | President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Massey Villarreal | Former Chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and former Chair of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly
Mario H. López | President of the Hispanic Leadership Fund
Aquiles “Jimmy” Garza | Member of the Board, Hispanic Republicans of Texas
Pastor Mark González | Founder of the Hispanic Prayer Network
Artemio Muñiz | Chairman of the Texas Federation of Hispanic Republicans
Rev. Tony Suárez | Executive Vice President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Jacob Monty | National Republican Activist
Alfonso Aguilar | President of the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles
