June 15, 2018

New Democrat Coalition Chair Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of DACA

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the announcement of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by President Obama. The DACA program has allowed nearly 800,000 immigrants who arrived in the United States as young children to live openly and contribute to their communities and the economy without fear of deportation. DREAMers contribute to our communities and boost our economy, create jobs, and raise wages for U.S. citizens.

New Democrat Coalition Chair Rep. Himes released the following statement:

“For months Speaker Ryan has promised to address the DACA crisis created by President Trump. Instead, he has refused to let the House work its will on bipartisan proposals.

“We have come to the negotiating table in good faith. We have put forward compromise measures that increase border security and create a path to citizenship for those who earn it. We have called for Republican leadership to bring four measures to the Floor under a Queen of the Hill Rule, and there is no fairer process than that. What House Republicans are doing is not in that spirit.

“The only feasible way to pass a permanent solution for Dreamers is through a bipartisan process, yet Speaker Ryan is locking Democrats out of the process completely. I will continue to demand a solution to keep these DREAMers in the only country they have known, and I will continue to demand a bipartisan path forward. For our economy, our communities and to be on the right side of history, I pray we prevail.”

Earlier this Congress, New Democrat Coalition Chair Jim Himes and Republican Tuesday Group Co-Chair John Katko penned an op-ed in The Hill urging Congress to provide a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers. As Members committed to the core principles of governing, the op-ed specifically calls for a Queen of the Hill rule to allow competing measures to be considered.



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