Former President Obama blasted the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that leaves hundreds of thousands of young immigrants in legal limbo as “self-defeating” and “cruel.”
?”T?his is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be?,” Obama posted on his Facebook page? Tuesday after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced an end to the program Obama created in 2012.
?He said President Trump’s decision to dump the program and give Congress six months to fix it isn’t about securing the borders, or providing for national security, or preserving jobs for Americans.
?”?This is about young people who grew up in America – kids who study in our schools, young adults who are starting careers, patriots who pledge allegiance to our flag. These Dreamers are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper?,” the former president said.?
“To target these young people is wrong – because they have done nothing wrong. It is self-defeating – because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military, and otherwise contribute to the country we love?,” he continued.
?”?And it is cruel?. ?What if our kid’s science teacher, or our friendly neighbor turns out to be a Dreamer? Where are we supposed to send her? To a country she doesn’t know or remember, with a language she may not even speak??,” Obama wrote.
Sessions said the DACA program was unconstitutional because Obama circumvented Congress and created the policy by executive action.
But Obama said said the legality of the program wasn’t ?part of the decision.?
“Let’s be clear: the action taken today isn’t required legally. It’s a political decision, and a moral question?,” he wrote. ” Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us.?”?
?He also called on Congress to protect the young immigrants who may end up deported in the absence of DACA.
“And now that the White House has shifted its responsibility for these young people to Congress, it’s up to Members of Congress to protect these young people and our future?,” Obama said. “I’m heartened by those who’ve suggested that they should. And I join my voice with the majority of Americans who hope they step up and do it with a sense of moral urgency that matches the urgency these young people feel.?”?