CAPAC Members Commemorate the 12th Anniversary of DACA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tomorrow marks the twelfth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This transformative policy, enacted in 2012 by President Barack Obama and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), provides young immigrants eligibility for work permits and renewable two-year deportation deferrals.
In advance of tomorrow, CAPAC members released the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that means DACA recipients deserve a chance to continue building their lives in the U.S. without the fear of deportation. Since its inception, DACA has been a lifeline for nearly one million young people who have only ever called the U.S. their home. Yet in recent years, many DACA recipients have faced threats to their legal status, citing major backlogs and processing delays in their applications for renewal. Many AAPI immigrant communities also face further obstacles, such as language and cultural barriers to accessing and applying for DACA.
So as we recognize twelve years of DACA and its incredible impact, we must also recommit to pushing for permanent solutions for our Dreamers, such as passing the American Dream and Promise Act to protect AAPI and all DACA recipients, and fight for pathways to citizenship for all immigrants who call the United States home.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“Twelve years ago, President Obama established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, to allow certain undocumented youth to stay in the United States. For many of these young people, known as Dreamers, the United States is the only home they have ever known—yet their legal status still does not allow them to gain citizenship. Today, Dreamers are crucial contributors to our society, living, working, and raising families in communities across the country. Their hard work and determination are inspiring and a testament to the American Dream. I will continue fighting for a pathway to citizenship to give Dreamers the stability and full opportunity they deserve, as Americans.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“In the twelve years since the DACA policy was announced, thousands of Dreamers have been able to live in the U.S. free from the threat of deportation. Roughly 579,000 DACA recipients live and work in this country, including over 150,000 recipients in the state of California alone. Many DACA recipients work in our communities as teachers, nurses, firefighters and countless other professions that benefit society. Despite the invaluable contributions Dreamers have provided, countless years of litigation have thrown their status into limbo time and time again.
We must ensure the DACA program is not only protected, but that a pathway to citizenship is created. I am committed more than ever to fighting for Dreamers, and will continue to advocate for them in Congress.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“As we mark the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, we celebrate all that DACA recipients have contributed to our communities. This transformative policy changed the lives of countless people by allowing them to thrive without fear of detention and deportation. It is long past time to do right by DACA recipients and establish a pathway to citizenship in the only country they’ve called home. We must finally pass the American Dream and Promise Act to provide DACA recipients with the security they deserve.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):
“For 12 years, the DACA has enabled hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to work, study, and continue to build their lives in this country. Dreamers are valued members of our communities, and its long past time we provide them a pathway to citizenship. As we recognize the anniversary of DACA and its impact, we also reaffirm our commitment to protecting DACA, combatting anti-immigrant policies, and building a better future for all to feel safe, welcome, and heard in our country.”
Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06):
“Since its establishment 12 years ago, hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients have been able to build a life in our country and contribute to our economy. As teachers, first responders, entrepreneurs, and more, Sacramento County and so many other communities across our nation are stronger because of their contributions. Codifying protections and establishing a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and Dreamers is long overdue. I am committed to providing DACA recipients and Dreamers with the security and stability they deserve.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17):
“Today, I join my CAPAC colleagues in celebrating the 12th anniversary of DACA, a program that allows tens of thousands of young people to work, pursue an education, and contribute immensely to our nation’s economy. We must safeguard DACA and provide these inspiring young people and their courageous parents a pathway to citizenship. We also need to stop outrageous fees and other barriers for DACA recipients.”
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03):
“Since it was announced 12 years ago, DACA has opened up a chance at the American Dream for so many and embodied our nation’s great promise of opportunity and hope. In the only place they’ve called home, Dreamers deserve the chance to study, work, and grow. On this anniversary, I hope we can reflect on our remaining work, providing a clear pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, that can help deliver the stability and security they’ve long deserved.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):
“For over a decade, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has allowed hundreds of thousands of undocumented youth in California and across the United States to live, study, and work in this country without fear of removal. I am proud to represent so many Dreamers in the East Bay, and am grateful for their significant contributions to our communities. On the 12th anniversary of DACA, we must renew our commitment to create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants who call this country home.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13):
“As a first-generation immigrant, I know how hard acclimating to a new country can be. In the past twelve years, DACA has helped more than 800,000 young people make positive contributions to their communities without the fear of being deported. Immigrants make our country great, and I am proud to join my CAPAC colleagues in celebrating twelve years of DACA and supporting a pathway to citizenship for all DACA recipients.”
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07):
“Houston is a city of immigrants, and Dreamers are part of the fabric of our community, as they are in communities across our country. For more than a decade, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has allowed Dreamers to contribute to and build a life in our country—the only country many of them have ever known as home. I join my colleagues in the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in recognizing 12 years of DACA and in supporting a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.”
Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ-08):
“For the last twelve years, the DACA program has offered thousands of Dreamers stability and the opportunity to build a life in the only country they have ever called home. By providing protection from deportation and granting access to education and employment opportunities, DACA has empowered Dreamers to pursue their American story and contribute to their communities. As we mark this milestone, we must also acknowledge the challenges and uncertainties facing the program. It is imperative that we advocate for immigration reform that includes a permanent solution for Dreamers, ensuring their continued access to the rights and opportunities they deserve.”
Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15):
“When President Obama announced the landmark Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program 12 years ago, he knew this executive action could protect millions of Dreamers from the risk of deportation. Many of the young people impacted by DACA have only ever known the United States as home and have built meaningful lives in the communities they’ve grown up in. DACA affirmed their right to work, study, and build a future in America. Our unified commitment to DACA and the future of all Dreamers cannot waiver. Congress must pass a permanent solution and build a pathway to citizenship by passing the DREAM Act.”
Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38):
“Twelve years ago, the DACA program was created to protect millions of young people from the fear of being deported by the only country they’ve called home. Since then, DACA recipients have pursued college degrees, opened their own businesses, and contributed to our economy and culture. DACA has always been a temporary solution. And since the Supreme Court could soon decide the fate of our Dreamers - now, more than ever - we need comprehensive immigration reform so that DACA recipients and many others in this country can have a pathway to citizenship.”