Washington, D.C.– Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) issued a statement regarding today’s deadline for Congress to fix the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program after President Trump ended the program six months ago, jeopardizing the immigration status of more than 800,000 young immigrants:

“For six months, Republicans in Congress and President Trump have stalled all efforts to protect the lives of over 800,000 young American immigrants. Rather than advancing legislation that has bipartisan support, Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McConnell have obstructed all action and continue to use the lives of Dreamers as bargaining chips.

“Millions of Americans have called on Congress to act, sparking a grassroots movement that is spreading throughout the nation, with 80 percent of Americans supporting allowing Dreamers to remain in the country. However, Republican leaders continue to cater to a small, extremist sect of their party and deny the interests of the majority of our country.

“We call on Speaker Ryan and Leader McConnell to bring legislation to the floor that protects these young immigrants from deportation. We will not back down in this fight to protect the Dreamers and we will continue to call on Republicans in Congress and President Trump to act.” 

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.

 

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