Source: YouTube
Barack Obama has offered a full statement in response to Donald Trump declaring the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The former POTUS took to Facebook to respond to Trump confirming the end of DACA Tuesday.
READ: Obama Expected To Condemn Trump's Decision To End DACA
"Let's be clear: the action taken today isn't required legally. It's a political decision and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn't threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us," Obama wrote. "...Ultimately, this is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be."
Trump's statement followed remarks from Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Under the plan, the Trump administration will stop considering new applications for legal status dated after Tuesday but will allow any DACA recipients with a permit set to expire before March 5, 2018, the opportunity to apply for a two-year renewal.
"...the Department of Homeland Security will begin an orderly transition and wind-down of DACA, one that provides minimum disruption. While new applications for work permits will not be accepted, all existing work permits will be honored until their date of expiration up to two full years from today," Trump said. "Furthermore, applications already in the pipeline will be processed, as will renewal applications for those facing near-term expiration. This is a gradual process, not a sudden phase out. Permits will not begin to expire for another six months and will remain active for up to 24 months. Thus, in effect, I am not going to just cut DACA off, but rather provide a window of opportunity for Congress to finally act."
"Above all else, we must remember that young Americans have dreams too. Being in government means setting priorities. Our first and highest priority in advancing immigration reform must be to improve jobs, wages, and security for American workers and their families," Trump concluded.
Now, DACA is in the hands of Congress, who has six months to save the program before it expires. People across the country are protesting Trump's decision to end DACA. Students at schools in Denver, Colorado, are walking out in response to the termination, while protesters have taken to Trump Tower in New York City.
