President Obama issued a concerned statement Tuesday about his successor's rollback of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which prevents the deportation of illegal immigrants who came here as minors.
To rescind the program, Obama wrote, is to cast another shadow over some of America's "best and brightest young people." Our country is stronger as a result of the 800,000 undocumented citizens who made the effort to gain work permits and make significant contributions to our economy, he and other DACA proponents have argued. These "patriotic" young people, he said, should not be punished for their parents' actions. America is the only home they know.
It was an emotional plea. Yet, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) says it's Obama's fault to begin with. He should not have given these young folks false hope.
Obama admin should be criticized for putting children in danger -- coaching them to cross treacherous desert for a disingenuous promise.
— Rep. Trent Franks (@RepTrentFranks) September 6, 2017
He blamed his Democratic colleagues too.
Democrats failed to pass DACA when they had Senate + WH. Can’t blame GOP for their botched attempt.
— Rep. Trent Franks (@RepTrentFranks) September 6, 2017
Now that the White House has spoken, it is Congress' turn to act, President Trump tweeted. He gave them a six-month window to make DACA constitutional. Some Congress members, like Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), called the president's decision to delay "compassionate."
Congress, get ready to do your job - DACA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2017