WASHINGTON, D.C. — HRC has joined governors, attorneys general and hundreds of elected officials and other civil rights organizations across the country in a letter supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and Dreamers.
The letter comes amidst reports that Donald Trump is considering ending DACA after ten attorneys general from across the country called for it to be rescinded. That would leave immigrant youth who were brought to the U.S. as children — including an estimated 75,000 LGBTQ Dreamers — without work permits, driver’s licenses, and vulnerable to deportations.
The letter sates in part:
In late June, attorneys general from ten states threatened to sue the Trump Administration if it does not end DACA; twice that number wrote to encourage the administration to maintain and defend the initiative. We urge President Trump to sustain his commitment and preserve DACA. We also encourage President Trump and Republicans and Democrats in Congress to enact legislation that replaces fear and uncertainty with permanent protection for Dreamers. The recently introduced stand-alone Dream Act of 2017 would do that and we support it.
As the leaders of communities across the country—individuals and institutions that have seen these young people grow up in our communities—we recognize how they have enriched and strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations, and families. We believe it is a moral imperative that the administration and the country know we are with them. We also join together to send our assurances to Dreamers: we see you, we value you, and we are ready to defend you.
Read the full letter here.
