Skip to main content

Rep. Napolitano’s Statement on GOP Border Bill, Attempt to Eliminate DACA

August 1, 2014

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) released the following statement on the House Republican proposals to address the unaccompanied minors situation and eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

"One day after failing to address the humanitarian crisis on our southwest border, our Republican colleagues voted today to remove critical protections for refugees of violence and eliminate the successful DACA program. Thousands of unaccompanied children who have fled violence and threats in their home countries are being met at our southwest border by armed militias.

"The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states:

It is a sad day for our country. A chamber of Congress is poised to send vulnerable children back to danger and possible death. It violates our commitment to human rights and due process of the law and lessens us as a nation. I pray that this legislation never sees the light of day.

"We agree. We must address the root causes of migration, not punish these vulnerable and innocent children. Our federal agencies are running out of funding to deal with this unfortunate situation, so we need action now to provide the necessary resources, ensuring protections and due process of our law.

"Despite their claims to support our young DREAMers, today's action on DACA proves Republicans have been working to eliminate it. DACA has been a tremendous success, expanding access to education, employment, and security to hundreds of thousands of young people educated in the U.S who have known no other country. We stand with these courageous DREAMers who deserve our support. My colleagues and I will continue to fight for total immigration reform."

###

Issues:Immigration