Issue Position: DACA/Dreamers

Issue Position

First and foremost, I believe that the Congress of the United States needs to do its job and create a legislative fix for the issues facing people who were brought here as minors. This applies both to the DREAM Act and DACA -- both being programs which temporarily address this issue.

If a person robbed a bank with a five year old, we would not charge the five year old with bank robbery. These children came to the United States through no choice of their own. Thus, they fall into a legal gray area. It's times like these that we must bring our values into the discussion in determining a course of action.

Dreamers have lived here, in the US, for all of their professional lives, and many of them throughout school. They work here. They learn here. They pay taxes here. Their families are here. They are American in everything but a technicality. On the practical side, these people are thriving members of their communities that we have spent time and expense to educate and train. Why would we send that talent away for another country to benefit when we need people like them in our own communities?

Until the federal government provides a permanent solution to this problem, the burden will fall to state and local governments to determine how to handle cases and issues. Our state would be remiss to push people out of their jobs, schools and communities -- to say nothing of heartless, as well. We would do serious damage economically and socially by trying to deport Dreamers. As such, while their status is in limbo, we at the state level need to treat them as we would treat our own children by ensuring that they can both thrive and contribute to our communities.

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