WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and against the Trump administration’s attempt to end the program:
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court on DACA elevates immigrant youth and upholds what New Mexicans already know: Dreamers contribute immeasurably to our communities and the Trump administration’s ill-conceived attempt to rip up this successful program was not only wrong, but illegal. Home is here for thousands of New Mexico Dreamers, and many more Dreamers across the country. Now, they can continue to live in the country they call home.
“But this decision should not be used as an excuse for Congress not to act to protect Dreamers permanently. It is long past time that the Trump administration and the Senate Republican majority stop holding Dreamers hostage and pass a path to citizenship. For over a year, legislation to protect Dreamers – passed by House Democrats – has languished in Majority Leader McConnell’s legislative graveyard. The Trump administration chose to create this chaos by rescinding DACA in 2017, and Congress owes it to these young Americans —some who are health care workers serving on the front lines of this pandemic, teachers educating our children through distance learning and members of our military defending our nation— to pass a path to citizenship now. And we cannot stop there. We must keep fighting the immoral decisions by the Trump administration to deny asylum-seekers the right to their day in court and reunite families separated by inhumane and misguided policies.
“Today’s decision is a victory for Dreamers and for all who believe that families belong together. Now, the American people and New Mexicans are ready for comprehensive immigration reform that will provide the long-term certainty and protection that families need.”
