In response to the Trump Administration’s announcement to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Oxfam America President Abby Maxman made the following statement:
“Oxfam America strongly condemns the Trump Administration’s decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), destroying the hopes of 800,000 Dreamers and their families.
This cruel decision is an attack on the fundamental values of this country. DACA gave immigrant youth, largely Mexicans and Central Americans brought here as children, the opportunity to work hard, study, sustain their families, and contribute to their communities. By ending DACA, this Administration is putting the lives of Dreamers at risk by threatening their return to countries unfamiliar to them and that are plagued by violence with limited economic opportunities.
Since President Obama issued DACA in 2014, Dreamers have played an important role in our economy and our communities. The vast majority of DACA recipients hold jobs or are full time students. They are taxpayers, students, soldiers, and our neighbors. Not only are families and communities hurt with this decision, but ending DACA would cost the US $460.3 billion in GDP over the next decade.
Oxfam America stands with the Dreamers and their families. We will continue to fight for social justice, and stand against hate at home and abroad. We thank Senators Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and Richard Durbin, D-ILL for their leadership and we ask Congress to stand up to the White House by immediately passing legislation that provides permanent legal status for Dreamers to remain at home in the United States.”
