President Obama has released his anticipated statement on President Trump's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program which would protect illegal immigrants from deportation if they arrived as minors. Obama enacted the program via executive action in 2012.
In his statement, Obama accuses his successor of casting a shadow once again on some of America's "best and brightest young people."
The office of Barack Obama releases statement on #DACA. pic.twitter.com/6rIPsz5VG1
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) September 5, 2017
The 44th president is not the only one defending his program. Republicans like Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) argue that they should not be punishing children who came here on the coattails of their parents.
The now former CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also pointed out some dire economic consequences of Trump's decision. Rescinding the work permits of 800,000 people would cost the country $280 billion over the next 10 years, he said, citing a Cato Institute study.
DACA critics, however, say this was Obama's fault to begin with, since he engaged in constitutional overreach by circumventing Congress.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the announcement that the White House would be ending the program Tuesday, but with a six-month delay. After his briefing, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told the media that President Trump "wrestled" with the DACA decision. It's now time for Congress to act on immigration reform, she said.