Merkley Statement on Trump’s Move to Dismantle DACA, Endanger Future for DREAMers

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s move to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and remove key protections for DREAMers:

“President Trump’s move to go back on our promise to DREAMers is not only heartless, it’s shortsighted. Since DACA was implemented five years ago, 11,000 Oregonian DREAMers have strengthened our local economies and the fabric of our communities. These are young Americans who came here through no fault of their own as children, and know no other home. DREAMers are productive and contributing members of our society, and ending this program would be not only a heartless betrayal, but also a devastating $460 billion blow to America’s economy.

“America is a nation that keeps its word – but President Trump fundamentally betrayed that promise today. This is not ‘law and order’; this is tearing families apart and shaking the foundations of our local economies.

“We cannot turn our back on nearly 800,000 courageous young leaders. These are our friends and our neighbors. I won’t stand idly by as President Trump tries to recklessly and heartlessly remove them from this great nation. I’m going to fight vehemently to ensure that they can keep contributing to the nation that they love.”