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Political leaders, others respond to DACA decision

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Statements regarding the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program:

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.): "However well-intentioned, President Obama's DACA program was a clear abuse of executive authority, an attempt to create law out of thin air. Just as the courts have already struck down similar Obama policy, this was never a viable long-term solution to this challenge. Congress writes laws, not the president, and ending this program fulfills a promise that President Trump made to restore the proper role of the executive and legislative branches. But now there is more to do, and the president has called on Congress to act. The president's announcement does not revoke permits immediately, and it is important that those affected have clarity on how this interim period will be carried out. At the heart of this issue are young people who came to this country through no fault of their own, and for many of them it's the only country they know. Their status is one of many immigration issues, such as border security and interior enforcement, which Congress has failed to adequately address over the years. It is my hope that the House and Senate, with the president's leadership, will be able to find consensus on a permanent legislative solution that includes ensuring that those who have done nothing wrong can still contribute as a valued part of this great country."

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): "President Trump's decision to eliminate DACA is the wrong approach to immigration policy at a time when both sides of the aisle need to come together to reform our broken immigration system and secure the border.

I strongly believe that children who were illegally brought into this country through no fault of their own should not be forced to return to a country they do not know. The 800,000 innocent young people granted deferred action under DACA over the last several years are pursuing degrees, starting careers, and contributing to our communities in important ways. While I disagreed with President Obama's unilateral action on this issue, I believe that rescinding DACA at this time is an unacceptable reversal of the promises and opportunities that have been conferred to these individuals.

The federal government has a responsibility to defend and secure our borders, but we must do so in a way that upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation. I will be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to devise and pass comprehensive immigration reform, which will include the DREAM Act."

Rep. Darrell Vista (R-Vista): "When President Obama unilaterally created DACA, he unlawfully overstepped his executive authority and only put a temporary band-aid on a problem which prolonged uncertainty for many children brought here through no fault of their own. The Administration's decision today puts the onus on Congress to address this challenge in the right way: for the long-haul, with respect for our nation's laws, a desire to enhance the integrity of our borders, and a sense of compassion for those who were brought here in their childhood years ago and wish to stay as productive members of our communities. I'm eager to get to work on a permanent fix and call on Democrats and Republicans alike to immediately put political posturing aside and let this be a catalyst to achieve long-overdue reforms in this important area of concern."

Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego): "By ending DACA, President Trump ignores the Dreamers' economic impact to our country. He has not only put them at risk, but our economy at risk as well. While it's sad that Trump is siding with the worst elements of his administration, it's not surprising given his past rhetoric on immigration … DACA has been a rousing success. Many Dreamer kids in the workforce are earning high wages – an average of $17 per hour. Nearly half of Dreamers are attending school. Over the next decade, Dreamers are expected to contribute half a trillion in economic activity. The Dreamers are contributing to America in a positive way and they should be allowed to keep contributing."

Calif. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-80th District): "It's hateful. It's vicious. It's cruel. It's disgusting. My heart breaks for the hundreds of thousands of people who are now forced to cope with this living nightmare. I can only pray Congress musters some basic human decency and prevents this horrific policy from becoming reality."

Rev. Robert McElroy, Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego: "Today the hope that our national policies will retain any shred of humanity in their treatment of undocumented immigrants has been extinguished. The Trump Administration's decision to initiate the process of eradicating the rights of hundreds of thousands of young men and women to legally live and work and contribute in American society not only robs them of their security in remaining in the only homeland that many of them have ever known; it also robs our nation of some of the finest young people who seek to build up our country for the next generation. Today, across this great land, untold families will be weeping at such harshness. Our Lord, who was both a refugee and an immigrant during his journey on this earth, will weep with them. And the Church will stand in steadfast solidarity and action with them, no matter what is coming. The Catholic community has encountered too many waves of nativism in the history of our country not to know that such prejudice and divisiveness must be resisted at its root."

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer:"We are not going to fix our immigration problems on the backs of innocent children. The young men and woman here under DACA - many who are living in the only country they have ever known - are students, innovators, business owners and veterans who enrich our country and contribute to our economy and our culture. Only Congress can provide the legal certainty on immigration that our country needs and these young people are relying on, and it's time for the legislative branch to act."

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