U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on President Trump’s Announcement to End DACA Program for Dreamers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Putting the DACA program in place was the right thing to do and it has worked for the past five years. President Trump’s decision ends this protection and breaks a promise we have made to nearly 800,000 young people who are either students, serving in our military, or are working in a job contributing to communities across America. This move by the President is wrong. It tears families apart and prevents Dreamers from reaching their full potential. It is now more important than ever for Congress to take action and do right by Dreamers, who have only known America as their home and built their lives here. I support bipartisan legislation, the Dream Act, introduced by Senators Graham and Durbin to protect these young people and allow them the opportunity to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. We must right this wrong and provide Dreamers a chance to continue helping us build a stronger country.”

In 2012, as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, President Obama granted reprieve from deportation and the ability to apply for a work authorization to young people who had been brought to the United States as children, that met certain educational criteria, and that had not been convicted of certain crimes. DACA provides temporary relief from deportation to immigrant students who arrived in the United States as children if they register with the government, pay a fee, and pass criminal and national-security background checks.

The Dream Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship. This bipartisan legislation would allow these young people, known as Dreamers, to earn lawful permanent residence and eventually American citizenship if they: Are longtime residents who came to the U.S. as children; Graduate from high school or obtain a GED; Pursue higher education, work lawfully for at least three years, or serve in the military; Pass security and law enforcement background checks and pay a reasonable application fee; Demonstrate proficiency in the English language and a knowledge of United States history; and Have not committed a felony or other serious crimes and do not pose a threat to our country.