This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/05/donald-trump-dreamers-program-young-immigrants
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Trump ends 'Dreamers' program, leaving fate of 800,000 uncertain | Trump ends 'Dreamers' program, leaving fate of 800,000 uncertain |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump on Tuesday thrust the fate of nearly 800,000 young, undocumented migrants into uncertainty by terminating an Obama-era program that protects the so-called Dreamers from deportation. | |
| The 2012 policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) will be phased out by 5 March 2018, leaving Congress with six months to enact new protections for Dreamers through legislation. | The 2012 policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) will be phased out by 5 March 2018, leaving Congress with six months to enact new protections for Dreamers through legislation. |
| New applications will no longer be accepted, while those currently in the program will all lose their status by March 2020, with the first permits expiring in March 2018 – unless Congress passes legislation allowing them to stay. | |
| “I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents,” Trump said in a written statement. “But we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws.” | “I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents,” Trump said in a written statement. “But we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws.” |
| Trump said he had advised the Department of Homeland Security that Daca recipients “are not enforcement priorities [for deportation] unless they are criminals, are involved in criminal activity, or are members of a gang”. | Trump said he had advised the Department of Homeland Security that Daca recipients “are not enforcement priorities [for deportation] unless they are criminals, are involved in criminal activity, or are members of a gang”. |
| Trump also called on Congress to act, saying he was providing US lawmakers with “a window of opportunity” to address the status of Dreamers. But the president stopped short of outlining what sort of legislation he would support to codify protections for Dreamers into law. | |
| Attorney general Jeff Sessions announced the administration’s decision in a statement delivered from the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, in which he said Daca was “being rescinded”. | Attorney general Jeff Sessions announced the administration’s decision in a statement delivered from the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, in which he said Daca was “being rescinded”. |
| “To have a lawful system of immigration that serves the national interest,” Sessions said. “We cannot admit everyone who would like to come here. It’s just that simple.” | “To have a lawful system of immigration that serves the national interest,” Sessions said. “We cannot admit everyone who would like to come here. It’s just that simple.” |
| His remarks came hours after Trump placed the onus on US lawmakers, tweeting: | His remarks came hours after Trump placed the onus on US lawmakers, tweeting: |
| Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA! | Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA! |
| Trump’s move follows months of speculation over whether he would keep intact or tear apart the landmark executive action by Barack Obama that lifted the threat of deportation for migrants brought to the US before they were 16. | Trump’s move follows months of speculation over whether he would keep intact or tear apart the landmark executive action by Barack Obama that lifted the threat of deportation for migrants brought to the US before they were 16. |
| Around 800,000 such people live in the US, qualifying by having been under the age of 31 as of 15 June 2012. Their status must be renewed every two years. | Around 800,000 such people live in the US, qualifying by having been under the age of 31 as of 15 June 2012. Their status must be renewed every two years. |
| Sessions repeatedly referred to the group of young, undocumented immigrants as “illegal aliens” while declaring: “The nation must set and enforce a limit on how many immigrants we admit each year and that means all can not be accepted. | Sessions repeatedly referred to the group of young, undocumented immigrants as “illegal aliens” while declaring: “The nation must set and enforce a limit on how many immigrants we admit each year and that means all can not be accepted. |
| “This does not mean they are bad people or that our nation disrespects or demeans them in any way,” the attorney general said in his brief statement, taking no questions from the assembled media. “It means we are properly enforcing our laws as Congress has passed them.” | “This does not mean they are bad people or that our nation disrespects or demeans them in any way,” the attorney general said in his brief statement, taking no questions from the assembled media. “It means we are properly enforcing our laws as Congress has passed them.” |
| Although Sessions did not provide a timeline for phasing out Daca, he noted that acting DHS secretary Elaine Duke had chosen “to initiate a wind down process” in a bid to mitigate the immediate effects of the decision. | Although Sessions did not provide a timeline for phasing out Daca, he noted that acting DHS secretary Elaine Duke had chosen “to initiate a wind down process” in a bid to mitigate the immediate effects of the decision. |
| In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, senior DHS officials said they would allow anyone with a Daca permit expiring between now and 5 March to apply for a two-year renewal, so long as the application is submitted by 5 October. But other Dreamers whose permits do not expire within the next six months would be poised to lose their status as early as 5 March, exposing them to the threat of deportation. | In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, senior DHS officials said they would allow anyone with a Daca permit expiring between now and 5 March to apply for a two-year renewal, so long as the application is submitted by 5 October. But other Dreamers whose permits do not expire within the next six months would be poised to lose their status as early as 5 March, exposing them to the threat of deportation. |
| The administration also declared that new applications for Daca dated after 5 September will not be considered, shutting down access to the program for those who are not already beneficiaries. | The administration also declared that new applications for Daca dated after 5 September will not be considered, shutting down access to the program for those who are not already beneficiaries. |
| Trump’s decision was swiftly condemned by immigration advocates, business leaders and Democrats, many of whom pointed to the contributions of Dreamers – named after failed legislation called the Dream Act – to their communities and economic prosperity. | Trump’s decision was swiftly condemned by immigration advocates, business leaders and Democrats, many of whom pointed to the contributions of Dreamers – named after failed legislation called the Dream Act – to their communities and economic prosperity. |
| “This is a sad day for our country,” Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. | “This is a sad day for our country,” Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. |
| “The decision to end Daca is not just wrong. It is particularly cruel to offer young people the American Dream, encourage them to come out of the shadows and trust our government, and then punish them for it.” | “The decision to end Daca is not just wrong. It is particularly cruel to offer young people the American Dream, encourage them to come out of the shadows and trust our government, and then punish them for it.” |
| House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of committing “a deeply shameful act of political cowardice and a despicable assault on innocent young people in communities across America”. | House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of committing “a deeply shameful act of political cowardice and a despicable assault on innocent young people in communities across America”. |
| “The president’s cruel and heartless decision to start deporting Dreamers in six months demands an immediate response from the Republican Congress,” she said. | “The president’s cruel and heartless decision to start deporting Dreamers in six months demands an immediate response from the Republican Congress,” she said. |
| Republican House speaker Paul Ryan, who in recent days expressed his hope that Trump would not terminate Daca, responded to Tuesday’s announcement by characterizing Obama’s policy as “well-intentioned” but “a clear abuse of executive authority [and] an attempt to create law out of thin air”. | Republican House speaker Paul Ryan, who in recent days expressed his hope that Trump would not terminate Daca, responded to Tuesday’s announcement by characterizing Obama’s policy as “well-intentioned” but “a clear abuse of executive authority [and] an attempt to create law out of thin air”. |
| “Congress writes laws, not the president, and ending this program fulfills a promise that President Trump made to restore the proper role of the executive and legislative branches,” Ryan said in a statement. | “Congress writes laws, not the president, and ending this program fulfills a promise that President Trump made to restore the proper role of the executive and legislative branches,” Ryan said in a statement. |
| The House speaker nonetheless said it was important for Daca recipients to “have clarity” on how they would be affected in the phase-out period, while calling on Congress to act. | The House speaker nonetheless said it was important for Daca recipients to “have clarity” on how they would be affected in the phase-out period, while calling on Congress to act. |
| “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,” Ryan said. | “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,” Ryan said. |
| The highly partisan atmosphere in Congress will make the passage of any legislation to protect Dreamers an uphill battle. Democrats are near uniform in their support of legislation known as the Dream Act, which seeks to codify legal status for Dreamers into law, but previous iterations of the bill have fallen to steep opposition from conservatives. | The highly partisan atmosphere in Congress will make the passage of any legislation to protect Dreamers an uphill battle. Democrats are near uniform in their support of legislation known as the Dream Act, which seeks to codify legal status for Dreamers into law, but previous iterations of the bill have fallen to steep opposition from conservatives. |
| Democrats were scathing in their assessment of Trump’s decision to upend Daca absent a legislative solution. | Democrats were scathing in their assessment of Trump’s decision to upend Daca absent a legislative solution. |
| “It takes someone with a dark heart to do something as cruel and pointless as this,” Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut. | “It takes someone with a dark heart to do something as cruel and pointless as this,” Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut. |
| “Dreamers are Americans – they grew up here, went to school here, work here,” he added. “Their entire lives are here.” | “Dreamers are Americans – they grew up here, went to school here, work here,” he added. “Their entire lives are here.” |
| US lawmakers, who returned to Washington on Tuesday after the August recess, already face a series of pressing fiscal deadlines in the coming weeks that include averting a government shutdown and securing emergency funding to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. | US lawmakers, who returned to Washington on Tuesday after the August recess, already face a series of pressing fiscal deadlines in the coming weeks that include averting a government shutdown and securing emergency funding to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. |
| Trump’s decision to throw the vexing issue of immigration into the mix not only complicates a packed legislative agenda, but also raises the stakes ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. The president already shares a contentious rapport with Republicans in Congress, who might be reticent to cast politically thorny votes while fending off primary challenges from the right, where any pro-immigrant actions are viewed as “amnesty”. | Trump’s decision to throw the vexing issue of immigration into the mix not only complicates a packed legislative agenda, but also raises the stakes ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. The president already shares a contentious rapport with Republicans in Congress, who might be reticent to cast politically thorny votes while fending off primary challenges from the right, where any pro-immigrant actions are viewed as “amnesty”. |
| Pressure had mounted on Trump to determine the fate of Daca. Activists on the right bemoaned the president’s failure to immediately rescind it. In an attempt to force a decision, 10 state attorneys general, led by Ken Paxton of Texas, imposed an arbitrary deadline of 5 September on which they threatened to take the administration to court. | Pressure had mounted on Trump to determine the fate of Daca. Activists on the right bemoaned the president’s failure to immediately rescind it. In an attempt to force a decision, 10 state attorneys general, led by Ken Paxton of Texas, imposed an arbitrary deadline of 5 September on which they threatened to take the administration to court. |
| Immigration advocates intensified their campaign to keep Daca intact while directing their pleas to Republicans in Congress. Youth groups launched a hunger strike in the Wisconsin congressional district represented by House speaker Paul Ryan, calling for legislation to make the status of Dreamers – named after a failed Senate bill – permanent. | Immigration advocates intensified their campaign to keep Daca intact while directing their pleas to Republicans in Congress. Youth groups launched a hunger strike in the Wisconsin congressional district represented by House speaker Paul Ryan, calling for legislation to make the status of Dreamers – named after a failed Senate bill – permanent. |
| Obama unveiled his executive action to allow hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented migrants to stay in the US without fear of deportation on 15 June 2012. | Obama unveiled his executive action to allow hundreds of thousands of young, undocumented migrants to stay in the US without fear of deportation on 15 June 2012. |
| “They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper,” Obama said, announcing the policy in the White House rose garden. | “They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper,” Obama said, announcing the policy in the White House rose garden. |
| Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants went on to gain temporary status through Daca, which enabled them to study and work legally in the US and obtain documents such as driver’s licenses, for which they were previously ineligible. | Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants went on to gain temporary status through Daca, which enabled them to study and work legally in the US and obtain documents such as driver’s licenses, for which they were previously ineligible. |
| Conservatives decried Obama’s action as unconstitutional but his administration turned to it after multiple failed attempts by Congress to resolve the status of Dreamers through legislation known as the Dream Act. | Conservatives decried Obama’s action as unconstitutional but his administration turned to it after multiple failed attempts by Congress to resolve the status of Dreamers through legislation known as the Dream Act. |
| The majority of Daca recipients are from Mexico, comprising roughly 78% of the program, according to the to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. California is home to more than 220,000 initial Daca recipients, the highest in the country, followed by Texas, which has more than 124,000 recipients, and Illinois, with more than 40,000 recipients. | |
| As a candidate, Trump repeatedly pledged to tear apart Daca on “day one” of his presidency. But shortly upon taking office, the president signalled that he might reconsider his approach to the Obama-era policy. | As a candidate, Trump repeatedly pledged to tear apart Daca on “day one” of his presidency. But shortly upon taking office, the president signalled that he might reconsider his approach to the Obama-era policy. |
| “We are going to deal with Daca with heart,” Trump said in February. “The Daca situation is a very difficult thing for me, as I love these kids, I love kids. I have kids and grandkids, and I find it very, very hard doing what the law says exactly to do and, you know, the law is rough.” | “We are going to deal with Daca with heart,” Trump said in February. “The Daca situation is a very difficult thing for me, as I love these kids, I love kids. I have kids and grandkids, and I find it very, very hard doing what the law says exactly to do and, you know, the law is rough.” |