The end of DACA: Reaction from local leaders and politicians

President Donald Trump is defending his decision to phase out a program protecting young immigrants from deportation, saying he is giving Congress a “window of opportunity” to act.

The program created by former President Barack Obama has given nearly 800,000 young immigrants a reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the country.

Below are statements from local leaders:

EL PASO BISHOP MARK SEITZ & LAS CRUCES BISHOP OSCAR CANTU: A Betrayal of Leadership. The Need for a Moratorium on Deportations.

Jesus taught that law should be at the service of human beings and communities (Mk. 2:27). Jesus showed that leadership is about transcending petty divides, defending the vulnerable, and guaranteeing human dignity.

The devastating news that the Trump administration has rolled back basic protections from deportation for young immigrants is a betrayal of the law’s greater purpose, a betrayal of leadership’s duty to protect the innocent, and a betrayal of the compassion the President Trump promised Dreamers.

Our border communities know the contributions, hopes and character of our Dreamers, forged in a climate of endless anxiety, uncertainty and political turmoil. Nearly one million strong across the country, Dreamers are leaders in our parishes, graduates from our schools, veterans of our armed services, and first responders who have provided brave service in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Even in the absence of political leadership, we know their dreams will not be extinguished. Dreams can soar higher than the pharisaical abuse of the law and political brinksmanship. In the dedication of our Dreamers to our highest American ideals and in the coming together of our country behind them, we see the seeds of renewal in our country and the renewed possibility of immigration reform. The fate of Dreamers once again falls to Congress, who rather than pitting us against each other, must work to promote the good of all.

In the meantime, with the strength of Jesus’ “no” to those who would use the law to lay unfair burdens on the innocent, we will continue to say “no” to deportation, family separation and the militarization of our communities. While we wait on reform, we call for an immediate moratorium on the deportation and detention of those who would pose no danger to our communities.

And let us all continue to say “yes” to a country that nurtures the hopes and aspirations of its young people. “Yes” to laws that correspond to our human and family values. “Yes” to those who soar high on the strength of their dreams.

STATEMENT FROM U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)

“This policy, while well-intentioned, was implemented without the approval of Congress by a President who exceeded his authority under the Constitution. This President now has the chance to work with Congress towards finding a solution to this issue where his predecessor failed. These children who were brought here illegally through no fault of their own continue to make positive contributions to Texas and the nation, and it’s important for us to achieve a long-term resolution.”

STATEMENT FROM U.S. Representative Will Hurd (R-TX)

“There is no doubt that our immigration system is broken. Congress must provide a permanent, legislative solution for children brought here through no fault of their own. We should create immigration policies that strengthen our economy and keep Americans safe, which is why I look forward to working with my colleagues to make a permanent, legislative solution that allows people who have only known America as their home, to stay and continue contributing to our Nation’s culture, economy and history.”

STATEMENT FROM El Paso State Senator Jose Rodríguez, Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus

DREAMers are part of the American future. These young people are Americans in every meaningful way, and this un-American action by the president works to deprive them of their dreams.

This is no surprise, unfortunately. This president is a bully who kicked-off his campaign by calling immigrants rapists and pledged to build a border wall. He undermined the rule of law and the judiciary by criticizing the integrity of Judge Curiel, simply because of his Mexican heritage. He began his presidency by imposing an unconstitutional, discriminatory travel ban. Most recently, he pardoned the racist actions of Sheriff Arpaio. He has no respect for the U.S. Constitution or the rule of law. He is failing as president, and as he did during the campaign, when he is in trouble, he looks for a scapegoat. While he has many, his main target, over and over, has been immigrants.

Typical of bullies, he is passing the buck. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that Congress do its job and pass comprehensive legislation that will protect these young Americans from deportation and provide them with a legal pathway to citizenship. DREAMers, more than 124,000 in Texas who by one estimate produce $6 billion in annual economic output, are students, teachers, doctors, workers, and small business professionals, who are integral to our communities and provide tremendous benefits to our economy. They are not bargaining chips for a border wall.

STATEMENT from U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)

“President Trump’s decision to end DACA protections is a heartless and grave mistake. We should never be a country that kicks out some of our best and brightest students. In the five years since its implementation, DACA has changed the lives of many of our brightest students and veterans who have come out of the shadows to earn an education, contribute to our economy, and give back to their communities and their country. I’ve had the privilege of meeting DREAMers in New Mexico and sharing their inspiring stories. These young people are smart, inspiring, and most of them don’t know how to be anything but American.

“We should not be a nation that tears families apart. I will not stand for policies that are contrary to our fundamental American ideals and values. I know how hard immigrants work, how much they believe in this country, how much they’re willing to give back, and how different my own life would be if America had turned my father away when he immigrated here as a young boy.

“The fight is not over. I will continue to stand with DREAMers and defend the promise DACA represents for thousands of young people across New Mexico.”

Senator Heinrich supports the bipartisan DREAM Act introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Earlier this year, Senator Heinrich introduced the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 to safeguard the private information-such as addresses and telephone numbers-of DREAMers to ensure that they are not targeted by the Trump Administration for deportation.

A message from UTEP President Diana Natalicio to DACA students:

I join your UTEP family in expressing support for you and the achievement of your educational aspirations. We understand and very much regret that, with every breaking news story or rumor, the visa uncertainties that surround you gain new intensity and cause enormous stress and apprehension for you and your loved ones.

What we want to be sure you know is that UTEP stands fully behind you and your dreams of a successful future through the attainment of your UTEP degree. Please know, too, that we will do all within our power to ensure that you have the opportunity to achieve your educational goals on our campus.

I trust that you know about the support services that are available to you at UTEP, and that you won’t hesitate to reach out to them. Dean of Students, Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis (cmandalis@utep.edu or 747-5648), is prepared to provide you with additional information about these services and any other support that you may need.

Your abundant talents, high aspirations and diligence have enabled you to become successful UTEP students and esteemed members of our UTEP family. We look very much forward to our opportunity to celebrate with each and every one of you when you cross the Don Haskins Center stage to receive the UTEP degree that you will earn through your hard work and determination to succeed.

With our most heartfelt good wishes……Go Miners!

STATEMENT FROM Department of Homeland Security

“This Administration’s decision to terminate DACA was not taken lightly. The Department of Justice has carefully evaluated the program’s Constitutionality and determined it conflicts with our existing immigration laws,” said Acting Secretary Elaine Duke. “As a result of recent litigation, we were faced with two options: wind the program down in an orderly fashion that protects beneficiaries in the near-term while working with Congress to pass legislation; or allow the judiciary to potentially shut the program down completely and immediately. We chose the least disruptive option.”

On June 29, the attorneys general of Texas and several other states sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asserting that the DACA program is unlawful for the same reasons stated in the Fifth Circuit and district court opinions regarding an expansion of the DACA program and the now-rescinded program known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). The letter noted that if DHS did not rescind the June 2012 DACA memo by September 5, 2017, the states would seek to amend the DAPA lawsuit to include a challenge to DACA.

Yesterday, Attorney General Sessions sent a letter to Acting Secretary Duke articulating his legal determination that DACA “was effectuated by the previous administration through executive action, without proper statutory authority and with no established end-date, after Congress’ repeated rejection of proposed legislation that would have accomplished a similar result. Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch.” The letter further stated that because DACA “has the same legal and constitutional defects that the courts recognized as to DAPA, it is likely that potentially imminent litigation would yield similar results with respect to DACA.” Nevertheless, in light of the administrative complexities associated with ending the program, he recommended that the Department wind down the program in an efficient and orderly fashion, and his office has reviewed the terms on which the Department will do so.

Based on guidance from Attorney General Sessions, Acting Secretary Elaine Duke today issued a memo formally rescinding the June 15, 2012 memorandum that created DACA, and initiating an orderly wind down of the program. This process will limit disruption to current DACA beneficiaries while providing time for Congress to seek a legislative solution. The details are contained in Acting Secretary Duke’s September 5 memorandum, and in our Frequently Asked Questions.