Rep. Adriano Espaillat and New York Advocates Stand in Solidarity to Protect DACA Recipients and Immigrant Families

Statement

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) was joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR) and immigrant advocates during a press conference held earlier today at his Washington Heights district office in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in DHS v. Regents of California, which is scheduled for argument before the United States Supreme Court later today.

"DREAMers are OUR children, they are my children," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "When I look into their faces, I see my own face and I see their aspiration and determination to create rewarding lives and contribute to their communities in the only place they have ever called home. Two federal courts have already determined that President Trump's termination of DACA was unlawful, and as this case heads to the United States Supreme Court, the fate of nearly 800,000 young people rests right here in the palm of our hands. We stand today in support of the Dreamers throughout our communities and around the nation to say we are a nation of aspiration and we will fight for them."

"Our nation has a storied and sacrosanct legacy as a nation of immigrants," New York Attorney General Letitia James said. "For generations, America has proudly served as a beacon of fairness and opportunity for all who work hard and play by the rules. This is precisely what we are fighting to protect with our lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's termination of DACA. In the name of fairness and equal justice under the law, we trust that our case and our values will prevail."

"Our city is a beacon for immigrants from all over the world -- and every New Yorker regardless of immigration status should be protected. The Trump administration's outright assault on DACA recipients is backwards and betrays America's promise to them. This is about right over wrong -- they must be allowed to stay. I proudly stand with Congressman Espaillat and all the immigration advocates speaking out for the DACA program," said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.

"DACA gives young people who were brought here as children a chance to build a life outside the shadows," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "The average DACA recipient came to the United States as a young child and has called this country home for nearly 20 years. They are students, teachers, first responders, entrepreneurs, and community organizers who make our country stronger and contribute every day. Shame on Donald J. Trump for his anti-immigrant policies that threaten the lives and livelihoods of nearly 800,000 immigrant youth and their families."

"We are proud to join Congressman Espaillat during today's solidarity event in support of Dreamers and acknowledge his continued fight in Washington on the behalf of immigrant families in New York and around the nation," said Alba Villa, Executive Director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR). "Denying DREAMers the ability to continue working, studying and living up to their potential by rescinding the promises our nation made to protect them is cruel, immoral and wrong. As DHS v. Regents of California heads to the Supreme Court, we must keep our promise and not turn our backs on Dreamers or their families."

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