The US president promised to scrap the protection scheme but has run into stiff opposition
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President Donald Trump is expected to announce on Tuesday that he’s scrapping a program to protect deportation immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children.
The US president’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, will not be enforced immediately, giving Congress six months to draw up alternative legislation.
DACA is thought to protect some 800,000 young men and women from deportation and allows them to work and study legally.
Many of those affected have never known any other home but America.
“Well I mean right off the bat, my heart is sunk, I don’t feel any emotions. I feel like I’ve been dealing with this for weeks now and the uncertainty is just killing me at this point,” said DACA program recipient Luis.
Dem lawmaker rips Trump for reportedly ending DACA: He cares about his base, not the country https://t.co/mePHHaQ1gD pic.twitter.com/7BnlJU2NSO
— The Hill (@thehill) September 4, 2017
Since entering the White House, Trump has made a crackdown on illegal immigration one of his key priorities and deportations have subsequently increased.
However sources close to Trump also warn that he could change his mind about DACA an Obama-era policy, the fate of which has been described as a “tug of war” between left and right.
We promised DACA recipients they’d be protected if they came forward. Total break of trust to pull it out from under them now.#DefendDACA pic.twitter.com/6Lfz4OBLYR
— Jonathan Riley (@JonRiley7) September 4, 2017
Many Republicans and several prominent business leaders say the so-called “Dreamers” make important economic contributions and that ending the program would hit growth and tax revenue.
But critics argue that illegal immigrants take jobs away from US citizens.
DACA, despite the emotional appeal, is unconstitutional.
Trump makes the correct move to repeal it. #DACA
— GOP news (@GOPNewsRoom) September 4, 2017