LULAC Laments Amendment Which Will Have Negative Consequences for Latino Youth
June 7, 2013
Contact:
Paloma Zuleta, 202-833-6130, PZuleta (at) LULAC . org
Washington, D.C.- Today, Margaret Moran, National LULAC President released the following statement in response to yesterday’s amendment to the 2014 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The amendment, which passed in the House of Representatives by a 224 to 201 vote and was sponsored by Republican Congressman Steve King from Iowa, would essentially prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using prosecutorial discretion in deportation cases. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that was implemented by President Obama last year that offered temporary relief to undocumented young people who qualified for the program.
“Passing this amendment endorses the deportation of DREAMer students who were brought to this country at a young age, want to continue their education in this country, and are poised to make significant economic and social contributions to the only country they have ever called home. The almost unanimous GOP support of the amendment indicates that the House of Representatives is clearly more interested in using the opportunity to pander to an extreme base.”
“Preserving the family unit is extremely important to the Latino community and with yesterday’s amendment, the House of Representatives sent a clear message in that when they speak about family values they do not include Latinos. As the immigration legislation moves to the House of Representatives, we will be keeping a watchful eye and calling on our membership and community to support passage of immigration reform.”
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About LULAC: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org