In response to President Trump’s decision today to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and delay enforcement for six months, Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen released the following statement:

“President Trump’s decision today to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is yet another senseless and spiteful attack on the fundamental principles of freedom, opportunity, and success. We at Earthjustice stand in solidarity with Americans and our partners in the Latino and civil rights communities who are united in condemning this decision. The young people harmed by this decision were brought to America as children and share the same aspirations and goals as any other American: to live, work, and prosper in the country that they call home.  These young people are now facing the possibility of forced removal to countries many don’t know and the separation from loved ones, and we as a country are facing the loss of their talent, their promise, and their futures. We call on Congress to right this wrong by swiftly passing the bipartisan DREAM Act.

“Unlike the President and his allies, we choose unity over division. We choose to support our partners and allies and the groups we and they fight for when it comes to our rights, our air, our water, our lands, and our health. We choose to open doors for people to speak up and fight for their rights, not slam them shut. And when decisions like the one today darken our collective future as a country of progress and hope, our pledge is to continue fighting for justice to prevail.”