Rep. Newhouse, Reichert comment on Administration plan for DACA

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says it wants Congress to come up with a plan to replace the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program the Trump administration is phasing out, which shields young immigrants from deportation. The administration is giving Congress six months to come up with a legislative fix before the government stops renewing permits for people covered by DACA.

U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement in response to the Administration’s announcement to wind down the program:

"Today’s decision phasing out DACA creates more uncertainty for Dreamers,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The debate must now return to the people’s representatives in Congress. President Obama’s unilateral executive action was never the long-term answer, which is why Congress must now act to protect children brought here through no fault of their own. The individuals I have met with are outstanding young people who desire to improve our communities in Central Washington. I believe that our borders must be secured, and our laws must be upheld, but we must also understand that these young people grew up in America and know no other life. They need the stability of a permanent legislative solution provided by Congress. I am committed to working on behalf of Dreamers and urge my colleagues to work together to provide a legislative solution.”

On Friday, Rep. Newhouse joined Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and House colleagues in a letter urging Speaker of the House Paul Ryan for a legislative solution to give certainty to beneficiaries of the DACA program.

Rep. Newhouse is a cosponsor of legislative protections for children brought here through no fault of their own, including H.R. 496, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, and H.R.1468, the Recognizing America's Children (RAC) Act. Rep. Newhouse is also a cosponsor of H.R.60, the Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training (ENLIST) Act.

Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) made the following statement regarding his support for protecting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This statement follows a letter he sent on Friday to Speaker Paul Ryan, urging the House take up legislation to address the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“Children who were brought here by no fault of their own see America as their country and their home,” said Rep. Reichert. “They are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, spouses, and honored members of the military willing to sacrifice their life for our freedom. Punishing these individuals who have contributed so much to our communities and for a crime they did not commit is not in the American DNA. We are a caring, compassionate people and we in Congress must work toward a long-term immigration solution that is fair, respects the dignity of families, and allows all individuals to pursue the American dream.”

Rep. Reichert has supported initiatives to protect the children who came to the United States by no fault of their own and know America as their home. Earlier this year, he cosponsored the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, a bipartisan bill which allows individuals who meet the standards of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to remain in the United States without fear of deportation for a period of three years while Congress works toward a more permanent solution. In March, Rep. Reichert cosponsored a bill to provide that solution for these individuals - the Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act, which gives DACA participants a chance to earn a legal status. Additionally, he cosponsored the Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training (ENLIST) Act, which allows undocumented immigrants who served in the Armed Forces to become lawful permanent residents and apply for citizenship.