Program Permits People Brought to U.S. As Children to Live, Work Without Fear of Deportation
Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden/Burlington) issued the following statement Friday regarding President Donald J. Trump’s plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which enables undocumented people who arrived in the United States as children to contribute to America’s economy and society:
“I find it cruel that President Trump would enact policies that fly in the face of the inclusive values we cherish most, hurting those who were brought here as children and just want to make positive contributions to the nation in which they have lived most of their lives. Sitting in classrooms next to our children, they were raised to believe in our values and cherish our freedoms in our public schools.
“Children who had no choice but to come to the United States deserve to be treated with respect, something we here in New Jersey have always prioritized. This fundamental notion was at the foundation of my legislation to allow these young people to attend our colleges and continue their education while paying in-state tuition rates. We have always known the importance of immigration and welcome the diversity of backgrounds represented in the next generation of leaders. Regardless of his or her background, every young person in New Jersey is an important part of our Garden State identity.”