Public Statement Regarding Announcement to Rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

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Release Date: 
Tuesday, September 5, 2017

 

Statement from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association Regarding the Recent Announcement to Rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

DACA recipients are Americans. NLADA stands in solidarity with its members and partners in the equal justice community, and the clients they serve. The decision to rescind DACA is counterproductive to our nation’s promise of equality and justice for all. DACA recipients strengthen our communities and economies. The program enables families to work their way up and enrich our society, through access to education and employment. More than ninety percent of DACA recipients are currently employed and nearly half are in school.

The equal justice community is united in its determination to protect the 800,000 friends, colleagues, and classmates who must now fear for their future in this country. Even as we fight against this development, the consequences will be severe, as vulnerable DACA recipients, such as those at risk of domestic violence and human trafficking, and even those who have served in our nation’s armed forces, are made less safe because of the potential consequences of seeking help. We therefore urge our nation’s leaders to stand up and preserve the DACA program for all the children and young adults who know no other home.