Engel statement on the Supreme Court hearing oral arguments today on DACA

Statement

"President Trump's decision to rescind DACA has put fear in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of DREAMers. These individuals are active members of our society who pay taxes, create jobs, and help drive our nation forward. To subject these DREAMers, many of whom have only known the U.S. as their home, to the threat of deportation is flat out wrong. I have heard directly from many constituents who depend on DACA, and I am heartbroken by the trauma and fear they now face. It is imperative that we continue to do all we can to fight against this President's xenophobic policies.

"Earlier this year, I along with my colleagues in the House passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, to ensure DREAMers, TPS recipients, and DED holders are protected and afforded a pathway to citizenship. But as usual, Senator McConnell refused to act on this meaningful legislation. As a result, we now are dependent on the Supreme Court offering a favorable decision that upholds DACA. As you can imagine with this court, I find that concerning. Nonetheless, I have signed onto a bipartisan, bicameral Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court in defense of DACA with the hope that lending my voice will help bring about true justice.

"The President continues to forget that we are a nation of immigrants. Demonizing people who have come to our country by no fault of their own is not only backwards, it's heartless. We must remember that the overwhelming majority of American citizens have had ancestors who immigrated to our country. Shutting the door on the next generation of immigrants would be disgraceful. That is why we must stand in defense of DACA; not only because it is the right thing to do, but because standing up for immigrants is what our nation has always been about."

Background: DACA has provided protected status and work authorization to hundreds of thousands hardworking young DREAMers brought to this country as children by their parents. The program was rescinded by President Trump over 2 years ago, but has been extended due to a court injunction. House Democrats have passed legislation, H.R. 6 the "American Dream and Promise Act," which would provide a pathway to citizenship to DREAMers in addition to Temporary Protective Status (TPS) recipients, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, which Congressman Engel voted in favor of.

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