Press Releases

Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement one year after President Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program without a legislative substitute:

“It has been one year since President Trump ended DACA and we are no closer to passing any solution for Dreamers. He abandoned nearly 800,000 immigrants, including 38,000 San Diegans, who are our friends, neighbors, and coworkers by ending DACA. Dreamers still face uncertainty because Republicans in Congress have failed to offer and pass a solution. The Trump Administration’s disgraceful hatred and bigotry have plunged our nation’s immigration system into chaos and continues to hurt Dreamers and their families.

In the last year, the Trump Administration has demolished these young people’s American Dreams. They banned immigrants seeking refuge in the U.S. based on their religion. They ripped children from their parents’ arms—hundreds of whom are still not reunited with their parents. They are threatening to deport immigrant parents if their children—U.S. citizens—access their federal benefits.

Everyone agrees our immigration system is broken. Yet, Republicans have repeatedly failed to demonstrate leadership or willingness to work with Democrats and they tried to jam through partisan immigration bills that had no chance of passing. Congress needs to vote on common-sense, bipartisan bills, like the USA Act, which is a step forward to fix the immediate problems—protecting Dreamers and modernizing our border security. Then, we need to have larger conversations and work together pass the comprehensive immigration reform we need.

America is founded on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, then we will have a place for you. We must keep that promise.”