Utah reactions to Trump’s DACA decision

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced he would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program, which shielded the children of undocumented immigrants from being deported. Here are some reactions from around Utah to that decision:

Rep. Mia Love:

“As a child of immigrant parents, I am sensitive to the position in which young, undocumented immigrants find themselves. From the beginning, Congress should have taken the lead in crafting a solution to this issue. No one person should unilaterally determine the fate of hundreds of thousands of others. The President’s decision today will allow Congress to craft policy that works for all. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming months on a solution consistent with the principles that Utahns hold dear.”

Rep. Chris Stewart:

“While well-intentioned, the way the Obama administration went about enacting DACA was unconstitutional. Authority to alter immigration law clearly only lies within the purview of Congress. Nonetheless, I believe that we must protect those individuals who came to this country as children. I’m a cosponsor of two pieces of legislation that will continue to protect children of undocumented immigrants. These include the BRIDGE Act and the ENLIST Act. These bills bar the removal of individuals who were brought here under the age of 15 that are currently pursuing education, have recently graduated, or are serving in the armed forces. I look forward to Congress authorizing a long-term, legislative solution to this important and pressing problem.”

Sen. Orrin Hatch:

“I called the President last week to urge him not to rescind DACA because I believe it puts DREAMers, who were brought here as children through no fault of their own, in an extremely difficult position. 

“I agree with the President—we need tougher enforcement of our immigration laws, but we also need a real, permanent solution that recognizes the positive impact Dreamers have in our communities. And as I said last week, that solution must come from Congress.

“Immigration is a complex issue, but I believe we have a real opportunity for bipartisan solutions and compromise on issues including border security, high-skilled immigration, and a path forward for our dreamer population.”

Sen. Mike Lee:

“DACA was an illegal abuse of executive power, and it’s important to reaffirm that the president cannot unilaterally rewrite the law. Today’s decision puts the ball in Congress’ court to address the problem of the approximately three-quarter million DACA participants, who originally came to the country as children. A balance between compassion and deterring future illegal immigration can be found.”

Attorney General Sean Reyes:

“DACA is a creation of executive order that can be undone by executive order. It is why for years many leaders at the state level, including myself, have advocated for immigration reform by Congress that would have greater permanency and legal legitimacy. If President Trump rescinds the DACA executive order, which I believe he has every right to do, I strongly encourage him to allow enough time for Congress to pass legislation providing a path for Dreamers that takes into account the values they have exemplified to this point. It is incumbent on Congress to take up with urgency an issue it should have acted upon a long time ago.

“In my view, it would be inhumane if Congress fails to find a solution for those who may have come unlawfully as children but who are otherwise law abiding, productive, and committed to defending America. There are several proposed bills already being discussed to that end. At the same time, it would be irresponsible for Congress not to tackle at least some of the other pressing immigration issues facing our nation as part of such a solution.

“We must find a way to make sure that we are not in the exact same position ten or twenty years from now. This will only come with increased control of our borders, a more sensible approach to immigration policy, and a much more disciplined and consistent enforcement of that policy.

“It is unconscionable to deport a young person who came to this country as a child or even infant without any choice of their own. These kids are our kids too. They grew up next door to you and me, played on the little league teams we coached, went to school with our children, worked in local businesses, and by and large, they are leading productive lives contributing to our economy and the strength of America.

“These children grew up believing they are American and so many of them have lived lives of which America can be proud. Rather than deporting those in whom America has already invested a great deal of resources, I urge Congress to pass legislation that provides a workable path forward so these young people can prove their ongoing commitment to this country and benefit all of us with their talents and skills. This can be done as we strengthen borders, security, and the economic viability of America.”

Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams:

“I’m disheartened by President Trump’s action to overturn DACA. But now that the deportation clock is ticking, I strongly urge Congress to quickly pass a law allowing deferred action for young people who came to the U.S. as children, to continue. 

“The futures of 800,000 young people—including thousands in Utah—hang in the balance. 

“These are youth who are studying, working, serving in the military and contributing to our community. We elected our representatives to come together in a bipartisan way to reform our broken immigration system and making DACA the law of the land is a critical first step.”

Salt Lake Chamber:

“The time has not only come but is well past due, for action on immigration at the federal level. Common sense immigration reform would boost economic growth, create jobs, and spur innovation and entrepreneurship. And it would renew America’s legacy of being an open and welcoming country where anyone who works hard can achieve his or her dreams.

“Today’s announcement from the Trump Administration is just another example of why our country needs a lasting and compressive solution to immigration policy, and Congress is the right place for this to take place. I am a firm believer that Congress, for far too long, has abdicated this responsibility.

“It’s time to do away with the harshness that divides this country and do what’s right. The future of more than 9,000 young people in Utah and hundreds of thousands more across the country hang in the balance. The last five years have proven that DACA works. The large majority of DACA recipients are hardworking, contributing members of our society and an important part of our economy.

Whether it is high-skilled visa applicants or dreamers, these people are our neighbors, friends, employees, and bosses. I’m hopeful Congress, including all of Utah’s federal delegation, will follow Senator Hatch’s leadership on this issue and move forward with real immigration reform in concert with The Utah Compact. The time for half measures, executive actions and kicking the can down the road are over.”

ACLU of Utah: