DACA Termination

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to the administration's cruel and inhumane decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

President Obama first implemented DACA in 2012, to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of immigrant children, many of whom are young adults and have lived in the United States for years and known no other home other than the United States, have a place here in America. This program was rooted in the best of our political tradition and intended as a temporary fix until Congress chose to take action.

In 2013, the Senate rose to the challenge and passed a bipartisan reform proposal. However, this Chamber callously refused to even consider the Gang of Eight proposal and instead let it die a slow and painful legislative death.

We are now being called upon to resume the fight, and we must not squander this opportunity. What my colleagues need to understand here and now is that this is not a game. The fate of nearly a million people hangs in the balance. Today's coldhearted decision will impact their health, wellness, families, and earning potential for years to come. DREAMers are generally beginning the most productive years of their lives.

This is not a hypothetical question. It is real. We need to get to work, Mr. Speaker, right away.

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