With President Trump’s decision to put an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, many Americans are emotionally reacting with a mixture of shock, sadness, and disappointment, as protests have broken out all over the country. In times like these, America’s listening for the sage words of former President Barack Obama — whose administration was the architect of the program — more than ever.
Thankfully, on Tuesday afternoon Obama put out an eloquent and lengthy statement on Facebook, and while it doesn’t undo the heartbreaking decision made by Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, it does at least provide some solace and comfort in these troubling times. The former POTUS started out by admitting that immigration can be a controversial topic, and that we all strive for safety, secure borders and a dynamic economy. He went on to say that he understands that “people of goodwill” can have legitimate disagreements about how to fix the system, however that’s not what this boils down to.
But that’s not what the action that the White House took today is about. This is about young people who grew up in America – kids who study in our schools, young adults who are starting careers, patriots who pledge allegiance to our flag. These Dreamers are Americans in their hearts, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper. They were brought to this country by their parents, sometimes even as infants. They may not know a country besides ours. They may not even know a language besides English. They often have no idea they’re undocumented until they apply for a job, or college, or a driver’s license.
Over the years, politicians of both parties have worked together to write legislation that would have told these young people – our young people – that if your parents brought you here as a child, if you’ve been here a certain number of years, and if you’re willing to go to college or serve in our military, then you’ll get a chance to stay and earn your citizenship. And for years while I was President, I asked Congress to send me such a bill.
He continued, reminding us that this proposed bill never came, which led to the creation of the DACA program, and has only led to the deportation of criminals and made America overall stronger and more secure as a result.
Let’s be clear: the action taken today isn’t required legally. It’s a political decision, and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn’t threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us. They are that pitcher on our kid’s softball team, that first responder who helps out his community after a disaster, that cadet in ROTC who wants nothing more than to wear the uniform of the country that gave him a chance. Kicking them out won’t lower the unemployment rate, or lighten anyone’s taxes, or raise anybody’s wages.
Ultimately, this is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want to be.
What makes us American is not a question of what we look like, or where our names come from, or the way we pray. What makes us American is our fidelity to a set of ideals – that all of us are created equal; that all of us deserve the chance to make of our lives what we will; that all of us share an obligation to stand up, speak out, and secure our most cherished values for the next generation. That’s how America has traveled this far. That’s how, if we keep at it, we will ultimately reach that more perfect union.
You can read his statement in its entirety here, and remember what it was like when we had a president who used his words to inspire, rather than — as many believe Trump does — lash out with threats against those who dare to disagree with his administration’s agenda.
(Via Facebook)