As moms and caregivers, we seek to protect our children. We advocate for clean air and solutions to climate change so that our children and grandchildren can lead healthy lives. So, today we are deeply dismayed that the Trump Administration has announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The DACA program, enacted in 2012, protects from deportation proceedings the 800,000 children and youth who were brought to the United States as children by their immigrant parents. These young people are known as “Dreamers.” They work toward the American Dream – and their contributions strengthen our nation. Indeed, their generation will help us solve our most pressing problems.
Trump’s announcement is especially bitter given the massive Gulf Coast flooding. In the Harvey-ravaged Houston area, thousands of Dreamers may be seeking shelter, food, water, and medical attention. Will today’s announcement keep these Dreamers and their families from seeking desperately needed emergency services – because they are afraid of being caught by authorities? What will happen to these young people?
Tearing our families asunder is not an American value.
The Dreamers are our friends, our neighbors, our family, our coworkers, our future…and we stand with them.
Photo via America By The Numbers