WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the White House announced it would remand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA) creating a six-month window for congress to create a fix and institute the policy as law.
Around the country, thousands protested the decision in the streets from Los Angeles to the White House. Meanwhile, politicians on every level of government have issued statements on the decision.
For Minnesota, home to approximately 6,300 DACA recipients, politicians are making statements down party lines.
In the second congressional district, Rep. Jason Lewis is looking forward to bringing a resolution to the DACA decision in congress.
“Federal law-making authority rests with Congress– not the executive branch,” Lewis said in a statement. “I support returning this power designated by the constitution to Congress. President Obama’s executive order skirted Congress’ constitutional authority and made DACA untenable in its current form. It’s important that we debate comprehensive solutions in the next six months and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to address the final status of DACA enrollees.”
ICYMI Our immigration system needs to be fixed, but those covered by #DACA should be allowed to stay: https://t.co/xDZkxogiCD
— Rep. Erik Paulsen (@RepErikPaulsen) September 6, 2017
On Twitter, Rep. Erik Paulsen called for DACA recipients to remain in the United States, but also for a fix in the current state of the United States immigration system.
Rep. Betty McCollum, who represents St. Paul and its surrounding suburbs, called Trump’s decision “a cruel betrayal.” Approximately 48 percent of Minnesota’s DACA recipients live in Ramsey County.
“President Trump’s elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is a cruel betrayal of 800,000 young DREAMers who love this country and call America home,” McCollum said in a statement. “Deporting college students, first responders, and service members who came to America as children is bigoted, callous, and does nothing to make America stronger.”
McCollum also called on House Republicans to bring legislation to protect those who are at risk of deportation.
Rep. Keith Ellison blasted the Trump administration for the decision stating “the President is catering to people who are extremist and prejudiced.”
“Nearly 80% of the general public supports permanent legal status for Dreamers,” Ellison said in a statement. “Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for DACA youth, the President is catering to people who are extremist and prejudiced. President Trump cannot separate his decision to coddle the neo-Nazis and the KKK in Charlottesville from his cruel decision to slam the door in the face of Dreamers. It’s what he means when he says “Make America Great Again.” Taken as a whole, his presidency represents a step backwards to the bad old days before “liberty and justice for all” was a commonly accepted idea.”
While Gov. Mark Dayton’s office did not issue a formal statement, Dayton did tell KSTP, “In Minnesota, we have a shortage of skilled workers,” noting, “So we’re going to take some 6,200 that are here under DACA and send them away?”
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
