The Republican-led Congress voted tonight to pass a short-term spending bill through January, but shamefully punted on protecting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. We know the consequences of this all too well—every day that Congress delays, another 122 DACA recipients lose their work permits, driver’s licenses, and protection from deportation. Already, about 12,000 DACA recipients have fallen out of status.
Buzzfeed: “The legislation, called a continuing resolution, keeps the government funded until Jan. 19, 2018. It passed the Senate Thursday night 66 to 32, soon after it passed the House by a vote of 231-188. President Trump is expected to sign it into law well before Friday’s midnight deadline for a shutdown.” But, the fight to protect Dreamers is just getting started. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus:
“We will continue to be relentless in our fight for Dreamers because we need this done now. We will leverage every single opportunity to keep all Congressional leaders committed to the goal of permanently protecting Dreamers by mid-January. You can bet on the CHC, Dreamers, many rank-and-file Republicans, and the overwhelming majority of Americans to hold this Congress accountable.”
Congress should have dealt with protecting immigrant youth yesterday, rather than Republicans kicking the can down the road. That is both frustrating and heartbreaking, but it also means that Congress has another chance to get this right. We are closer than ever before to getting legislation passed. January is the last chance for Congress to get this done, and DACA recipients and their allies will keep fighting. And, holding the Republicans and Democrats who voted to deport Dreamers accountable.
“Congress may be leaving town, but we are here to stay,” said the National Immigration Law Center. “We will be here and ready to put our elected officials back to work in January. We are resolute in our mission to ensure that immigrant youth have a secure future in this country, which is their home, and we will continue to fight alongside immigrant youth and our partners until we win.”