Hoyer Statement on the Republican Amendment Targeting DREAMe

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Hoyer Statement on the Republican Amendment Targeting DREAMers

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after voting in opposition to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act that included anamendment which would prohibit the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement funds to implement President Obama’s June 2012 deferred action program:

“It is completely unacceptable that Republicans passed an amendment today targeting ‘DREAMers,’ who were brought to this country as children and want only to help build a stronger America. Their amendment is an attack on the values that have always made our country a beacon of freedom, justice, and opportunity – and it is the reason why I voted against the underlying appropriations bill.

“For these young people we call ‘DREAMers,’ President Obama’s executive order protecting them from deportation sent a strong message that they are valued as part of America’s present and its future. In undoing this policy, this Republican amendment would deny funding to immigration enforcement officials to prioritize deportations of criminal offenders over those of hardworking, innocent young people. This amendment legalizes discrimination and is bad policy.

“We must address our broken immigration system through comprehensive reform, and I am encouraged that bipartisan legislation has advanced in the Senate and that a bipartisan group of Members continues to meet to discuss the prospects for introducing legislation in the House. I strongly urge the Senate to remove this provision when it considers this appropriations bill.”







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