Donald Trump Ends DACA Program for ‘Dreamers,’ Social Media Reacts

The Trump administration on Tuesday formally announced their decision to rescind DACA, a program that currently protects nearly 800,000 young immigrants—who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children— from deportation. Congress will have six months to act before the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which was put in place under the Obama administration, is phased out in March 2018.

“To have a lawful system of immigration that serves the national interest, we cannot admit everyone who would like to come here,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “That is an open border policy and the American people have rightly rejected it. Therefore, the nation must set and enforce a limit on how many immigrants we admit each year and that means all can not be accepted.”

He continued, “Congress should carefully and thoughtfully pursue the types of reforms that are right for the American people. Our nation is comprised of good and decent people who want their government’s leaders to fulfill their promises and advance an immigration policy that serves the national interest. We are a people of compassion and we are a people of law. But there is nothing compassionate about the failure to enforce immigration laws.”

In a statement, President Donald Trump, who previously told DREAMers to “rest easy,” said that it was “time for Congress to act,” which he echoed on Twitter. “As President, my highest duty is to defend the American people and the Constitution of the United States of America,” Trump said in a statement. “At the same time, I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents. But we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws.”

Ending DACA was one of Trump’s campaign promises, however, he reversed his pledge to “immediately terminate” the program in June. According to The Atlantic, Trump previously told ABC’s David Muir that immigration policies and DACA recipients were being looked at “with great heart.”

Congress, get ready to do your job – DACA!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2017

ABC News reports that no new applications will be accepted after Sept. 5, but pending applications filed before the announcement will still be processed. Additionally, “anyone who has a DACA permit expiring between now and March 5, 2018, can apply for a two-year renewal. That application must be submitted by Oct. 5.” Those who lose DACA will be put at risk for deportation.

According to a 2012 Pew Research Center survey, 63 percent of U.S. adults approved of the DACA program, which increases accessibility to education and work for young immigrants.

IMPORTANT:

These are the 5 things you need to know about Trump's announcement to end #DACA.

RT & Share widely! pic.twitter.com/c4eMaAnb2s

— United We Dream (@UNITEDWEDREAM) September 5, 2017

See how social media reacted to Trump’s decision to end DACA below:

Social Media Reacts to Donald Trump’s Decision to Rescind DACA Program

I'm sad for #Dreamers living in fear. Sad we have a lame excuse for a President. Sad Congress didn't act b4 to avoid this. Sad for America.

— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) September 5, 2017

Subjecting Dreamers to mass deportation is part of the bigoted policies that are a cornerstone of @realDonaldTrump’s admin. #DefendDACA

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 5, 2017

DREAMers are: students, teachers, doctors, small-business professionals & more. They are integral to our communities & economies #DefendDACA

— Caring For Us (@caring_for_us) September 5, 2017

DREAMers are some of most hardworking and tenacious people. If you think they are taking your jobs, work harder. #DACA #keepDACA

— Melissa (@ItsMeMLo) September 5, 2017

Okay. The Bad Man continues to do bad.
Your move, Congress.#DefendDREAMers #DREAMAct #LetsGo

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) September 5, 2017

"No one has more respect for women than me."
"I'm the least racist person…"
"I love the dreamers."

Liar. Racist. Coward.#DACA pic.twitter.com/nMWN8kkLnA

— Samantha Adams (@MsSamAdams) September 5, 2017

Furious and heartbroken to see the U.S. abandon #DACA, which made our country stronger and more prosperous. To the Dreamers: I'm so sorry.

— John Green (@johngreen) September 5, 2017

Dreamers grew up in America. It’s their home. Ending the program, deporting them back to a country they don’t even know, would be cruel.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 5, 2017

Dreamers go to school, earn degrees, work, start businesses & families. They are Americans. The kind of Americans we want in America. #DACA

— Ron Asher (@rmasher2) September 5, 2017

Why is empathy and human kindness a partisan issue? This is cruel, pointless, and worst of all, this is unAmerican. #DACA

— Jeeniya (@jeeniya90) September 5, 2017

They have been here since childhood. They trusted the government. They are America. #DefendDACA

— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) September 5, 2017

Nearly 1 million young immigrant #DREAMers will be at risk of deportation if @realDonaldTrump ends #DACA. We demand #DefendDACA! #HereToStay

— Gina Rodriguez (@HereIsGina) September 4, 2017

Ending #DACA is one of the most heartless things this administration has done. And that's saying something.

— Cass VanNostrand (@cassandradale55) September 5, 2017

May you never know what it feels like to come to this country as a child, to do your best and to dream, only then to see today. #DACA

— pdhillon (@preengles) September 5, 2017

Imagine being deported from the only country you knew as home. Those protected by #DACA ARE Americans. They know nothing else.

— Angela Romeo (@allforangela) September 5, 2017

We warned you not to threaten our neighbors, @realDonaldTrump. New York City will fight to defend our Dreamers.

— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) September 5, 2017

The President has revealed that he is as heartless as he is uninformed. DREAMers are our friends and neighbors. #DefendDACA

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) September 5, 2017

What are your thoughts on Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals “Dreamers” program? Do you support DACA? Sound off in the comments section below!

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr