Vice President Harris praised the Biden administration’s efforts to protect recipients of the Deferred Action for Deportation program for young immigrants on Saturday, marking the 12th anniversary of the Obama-era policy.
“The story of Dreamers is the story of America. Dreamers across the country serve in our military, teach in our classrooms, and lead small businesses as entrepreneurs. They are our neighbors, our classmates, and our loved ones,” she said. wrote in the statement“Their ambitions and aspirations power our communities, our economy and our country, and they deserve our protection.”
“I have worked with President Biden to preserve and strengthen DACA, including ensuring Dreamers have access to affordable health care, which will improve the health of all our communities,” Harris added.
But the vice president said it was ultimately up to Congress to strengthen protections for recipients of the program, which shields immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children from deportation.
“Lawmakers must pass legislation that creates a path to citizenship,” she wrote. “The time for a permanent solution is long overdue.”
Biden echoed her sentiments in his own statement Saturday, saying he was proud of the contributions “Dreamers” have made to the country.
“Twelve years ago today, President Obama and I announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, enabling young people to live and work in the only country they can call home,” he said. wrote in the statement“Since then, DACA has given more than 800,000 Dreamers the opportunity to legally work, get an education, start businesses, and contribute their incredible talents to making our communities better and stronger,” the White House said in a statement.
“Vice President Harris and I will continue to fight for Dreamers, but only Congress can provide permanent and lasting stability for them and their families. Congress must still act,” the president added.
Biden’s reelection campaign also released two videos Saturday criticizing former President Trump over his controversial immigration policies, including his threat to end the DACA program, and touting the pair’s commitment to protecting “Dreamers” and finding a path to citizenship for them and their families.
In one ad, “With the Dreamers” Ms Harris also slammed Mr Trump, the Republican front-runner, for his “cruel and ineffective” immigration policies under his administration, including family separations and threats to deport “millions” of people if he is re-elected.
