For Immediate Release
Sept. 5, 2017
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) condemns President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), a program that protects eligible undocumented youth from deportation and provides them with work permits. Approximately 800,000 individuals, including over 30,000 Asian Pacific Americans, benefitted from the program.
“Ending protections for some of the most vulnerable in the immigrant community is a step back from progress. President Trump’s decision means that hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families now face an uncertain future,” said NAPABA President Cyndie M. Chang. “DACA protected undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from being suddenly deported from the country in which they grew up, went to school, and now work. There is bipartisan support for the protection of these young individuals.
“The Administration’s decision and their enforcement priorities underscore the need for Congress to enact meaningful immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship,” continued President Chang. “We urge Congress to take a first step and protect these youth by passing the bipartisan DREAM Act, sponsored by Senators Graham and Durbin. We stand with our immigrant communities, and urge our elected officials to do the same.”
The end of DACA will hurt every industry and community. Individuals protected by DACA are an integral part of the America’s present and future. They contribute to the American economy and to our rich and diverse culture. The Cato Institute estimates this decision will cost the United States $60 billion to deport 800,000 students and workers, and result in a loss of $280 billion in economic growth over the next 10 years.
NAPABA stands firmly in support of immigrant communities. Congress must stand with the immigrant community, uphold American values of diversity, acceptance, and inclusion, and work to protect DACA recipients.
For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected].