Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) today issued the following statement after a Texas judge ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and blocked the Department of Homeland Security from approving new DACA applications.
“This ruling is wrong and will threaten the safety of tens of thousands of new DACA applicants who will no longer be able to pursue protected status. It must be overturned. The U.S. is the only home that Dreamers have ever known, and they should not be forced to live in fear of deportation. DACA empowered undocumented youth to come out of the shadows and contribute to our communities in immeasurable ways – from serving in our military to being on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. I’ll continue leading efforts in Congress to provide permanent relief for Dreamers and finally give them the opportunity to become full citizens of this country. We must pass the American Dream and Promise Act without delay.”
The first and only Latina Senator, Cortez Masto has consistently worked to protect DACA recipients, pushing back strongly against the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate the program. She has long advocated for passage of legislation to put Dreamers on a path to citizenship.
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