For Immediate Release:
September 5, 2017
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us
Grosso denounces Trump's heartless decision to end DACA
Washington, D.C. – Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), chairperson of the Committee on Education, released the following statement, on today’s announcement that President Donald Trump will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months:
“President Trump’s decision to end DACA is simply heartless. These young people have built a life here—living, learning, and working alongside neighbors, families, and friends. The District of Columbia and the whole country are better for it. Casting their lives into further uncertainty, he has chosen to abdicate his moral leadership and recklessly pin their futures on the whims of Congress by delaying action for another six months.
“Only hate could motivate a president to tear these individuals from their communities like this. I urge Congress to act before the March expiration of the program to secure the place of DACA recipients in our country.
“As the Chairperson of the Committee of Education, I am particularly concerned about how this assault on families and neighborhoods will negatively affect students, filling them with fear and causing emotional distress over the possibility that they or a loved one could be snatched away at any time. Trauma such as this stands as a significant barrier to the success of our students—one that I have worked to address as a top priority of the committee.
“The District of Columbia stands for the human rights of everyone, including our immigrant neighbors regardless of legal status. I pledge to do everything I can on the Council to protect their place in our city and in our nation. I implore the young people impacted by this terrible decision to keep studying, working, and striving toward their dreams.
“This year, Mayor Bowser and the Council provided $500,000 in new funds for legal service providers who stand ready to help those who need it. I urge anyone with questions about their immigration status to contact one of the following organizations.”
- AYUDA - (202) 387-4848
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc. - (202) 772-4352
- Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center - (202) 393-3572, ex. 22
- Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International - (202) 529-2991
- Whitman-Walker Health Legal Services - (202) 745-7000
- Human Rights First - (202) 547-5692
- KIND Inc. - (202) 824-8680
- Asian/Pacific Island Domestic Violence Resource Project Confidential Helpline - (202) 833-2233
- DC Affordable law Firm’s D.C. Immigrants’ Rights Project, in partnership with the Ethiopian Community Center and Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (202) 844-5430
- CARECEN - (202) 328-9799
- CAIR Coalition - (202) 331-3320
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