WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the failure of Republicans to take action to protect DREAMers before the March 5 deadline set by President Trump after he terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and created this crisis:
“When President Trump unnecessarily ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in September, he issued a six-month delay and asked Congress to take action allowing DREAMers to stay here by the March 5 deadline. Today, that deadline has arrived, with no action by Republicans, who control the Congress. Democrats have offered a number of bipartisan proposals to address this crisis, but President Trump has dismissed them out of hand and House Republicans have refused to bring any measures to the Floor for a vote. Meanwhile, federal courts have issued conflicting injunctions, sowing further uncertainty and insecurity among DREAMers and their families and for the many American businesses employing DACA registrants and benefiting from their labor and expertise.
“Democrats will continue fighting for DREAMers to be able to stay here and have a pathway to citizenship, and we will do everything in our power to keep families together. These young people are contributing every day to our economy, to job creation, to our national security, and to building stronger communities. They are teachers, nurses, first responders, and innovators. They are part of America’s present and part of our future. Congress must not fail them, or else we will fail this country. House Republicans must bring legislation to the Floor to protect DREAMers and provide a pathway to citizenship – I call on them to let the House work its will.”