Following President Trump's decision to end DACA, a program that helps minors who came to the United States illegally stay in the country, several Nebraska officials released statements.
U.S. Representative from Nebraska, Don Bacon:
“I understand why many people are unsure of what the future holds for them and the fears they are feeling. I want to let those who are scared and uncertain know that I am committed to keeping law-abiding DACA recipients in the United States. This is the only home many of these children, students, friends, and neighbors have known.
Today’s announcement rescinding the DACA program recognizes that the Constitution gives lawmaking authority to Congress and that laws cannot be changed by executive order.
Congress needs to work on a balanced and compassionate approach that ensures law-abiding DACA recipients are able to stay in the country they call home, but also addresses employer compliance with immigration laws, secures our border, and improves our visa program. I am eager to work on a solution as soon as possible and I urge my colleagues in the House to make this a priority as well. We must fix our immigration system and provide the resources to secure our nation. As part of my balanced approach, I chose to co-sponsor the BRIDGE Act, which extends protections for DACA recipients while Congress works towards an updated immigration policy. I will work to ensure that legislation is passed."
University of Nebraska President, Hank Bounds:
“Today’s announcement changing the rules on DACA creates significant uncertainty for the hundreds of thousands of young people who have benefited from this program – including students at the University of Nebraska. These youth are hard-working, productive, valued members of our university community. They are exactly the kind of talented workers our economy needs.
“The chancellors and I stand firmly in support of our DACA students and are mobilizing whatever resources we can provide to ensure their well-being. Our message to them, as to all University of Nebraska students, is clear: They are welcome here, they are important members of our community, and we are proud of their courage and commitment to their education. We ask Congress to act quickly to remove the uncertainty for these young people who are working hard to pursue the American dream.”
U.S. Senator from Iowa, Chuck Grassley:
“However well-intentioned DACA may have been, the program was created by executive edict rather than by Congress as the Constitution requires. Because of President Obama’s executive overreach, DACA has faced numerous legitimate legal challenges, and now President Trump has asked Congress to sort it out,” Grassley said.
“Any legislative solution is going to have to be a compromise that addresses the status of those who have been unlawfully brought to this country and upholds the rule of law. President Trump should continue to work with Congress to pass reforms through the legislative process that encourage lawful immigration. In the meantime, I expect that the Administration’s immigration enforcement priorities will continue to target the thousands of criminals ahead of those who have otherwise abided by our laws.”
U.S. Senator from Iowa, Joni Enrst:
"America has been and always will be a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. However, many young undocumented children were brought here by parents, caretakers, and so forth through no fault of their own. As I have stated many times before, we must show compassion toward these children. While I do not support giving them citizenship, we must identify and pursue a measured approach that addresses their unique situation, but also respects the importance of our immigration laws and discourages future illegal immigration.
“It is now incumbent upon Congress to act. We have an opportunity to solve this issue, work to secure the border, and modernize the legal immigration system.”
Iowa Democratic Party:
“There are thousands of DACA recipients in the state of Iowa. Children who came here with their parents, who grew up here, and who call Iowa home. These children are part of our communities. They were told they could stay and continue to build their lives here, but now, Donald Trump is playing political games with their lives.
Trump's decision to end DACA is bad for our economy, it’s bad for Iowa, and it's bad for the soul of our nation. At our core, America is a nation of immigrants tied together by the common cause of creating a better life for our families.
The whole point of the American Dream is that it's open to everyone, but Donald Trump is trying to box us in. He's trying to limit our nation's possibilities. Donald Trump's decision to roll back DACA, cheapens the American dream and is an insult to us all."
Creighton University President, Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson:
"Today, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the current administration is rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration program and phasing it out over the next six months.
Creighton University is committed to supporting our DACA students, and we reaffirm our commitment to standing with them in this time of uncertainty. Any change in the DACA program will not affect our students’ status as members of our community in any way.
In November 2016, I joined presidents from other Jesuit and Catholic institutions nationwide to support undocumented students on our campuses through three public statements regarding the DACA program. The statements were issued by Pomona College, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. In August, I signed on to a letter to Gen. John F. Kelly, current White House chief of staff, seeking his
support for the nation’s immigrant youth, especially DACA students.
As Catholic and Jesuit, we are committed to upholding the human dignity of each person, strengthening family bonds, and allowing every student the opportunity to maximize her or his God-given talents through higher education. Creighton joins many universities and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in calling on our public representatives to create a permanent solution through the “Dream Act of 2017” to allow our DACA students the ability to remain in the United States, complete their studies, and continue to contribute meaningfully in our communities."
Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom:
"Our organization believes that the Obama executive order establishing DACA was unconstitutional and violates the Immigration Act of 1986. Illegal alien youth have taken jobs from lawful Nebraska citizens, burdened our public schools, and increased the costs for taxpayers through their use of our health care and welfare systems," said Doug Kagan, NTF president.
Under the Trump directive, DACA youth who have engaged in criminal activity will be subject to immediate deportation, though "NTF believes that the 6 month extension of DACA is compassionate, as it will allow DACA families to get their affairs in order prior to deportation."
Omaha Mayor, Jean Stothert:
"In 2015, I supported LB623 which gave DACA youth living in our state the opportunity to apply for a driver’s license. I also supported LB947, allowing these young people to obtain professional licenses to pursue a career they prepared and trained for.
The young immigrants granted DACA status were brought to the United States when they were very young, through no fault of their own. For most, eventual citizenship is their dream.
DACA has created opportunities for education, employment and service to our community and state and I remain supportive of the program."
