New Jerseyans Embody the Best America has to Offer

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, last week I was outraged when President Trump announced that he would be ending the DACA program. DACA recipients are contributing members of our society, have no criminal record, and have known only this country as home. They work at leading American companies. They have served our country in the military.

On the day of the President's decision, I met with several young people at Rutgers University in my district who may now face deportation. I was impressed by their courage in coming forward to tell their stories and to challenge the President's reckless action.

Some examples: Yeimi, a 17-year-old from Freehold, left Mexico when she was 1 year old. She said at the meeting I had: ``I do want to become something in life, because that is why I am here. I do not want this dream to be shattered because DACA, apparently, is going to be killed.''

Then there is Alma, a 23-year-old from Perth Amboy in my district, who added: ``DACA has opened doors for me that I never knew existed.

The elimination of this executive order without an appropriate replacement would not only be devastating for DREAMers but to the country as a whole.'' And I agree with Alma.

Mr. Speaker, these New Jerseyans embody the best America has to offer, and I will continue to stand by their side as we work together to protect their DACA status. We need to pass the Dream Act as quickly as possible.

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