WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice announced the end of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows young undocumented people brought to the United States as children to live and work in the U.S. legally. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) issues the following statement:

“The United States is a country of immigrants and our shores have historically been a destination for those seeking freedom, justice, and opportunity. President Trump’s decision to end DACA is an attack on those ideals,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “DREAMers were brought to the United States as children, and today we know them as neighbors, coworkers, students, and military service members. To participate in the DACA Program, DREAMers had to pass a rigorous background check, pay a fee, and attend school, serve in the military, or be a party of the workforce, all on the promise that they would be allowed to stay in the United States under DACA rules. Today’s announcement breaks that promise. Stripping these young people of the opportunity to stay in the country they love and contribute to our economy is inconsistent with our American values.”

“Not only would ending DACA be a terrible loss for the many Alabamians who count DREAMers as friends and family, but it would devastate our economy, costing Alabama upwards of $180 million annually. I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will take action to find a permanent legislative solution for the hundreds of thousands of aspiring Americans directly impacted by the President’s decision.”

Over the course of its five-year history, DACA has allowed nearly 800,000 young people to come forward, pass background checks, and obtain permission to live in the United States lawfully. Ninety-seven percent of the DREAMers protected by DACA are in school or are employed in the workforce.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.