Congress now has six months to replace DACA

Thousands of “DREAMERS” could face deportation, if Congress doesn’t come up with a plan to replace DACA.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday the end of the program.

Six months is the timeline Congress now has to come up with a plan to replace the DACA program.

“This is not a little matter,” says Sessions. “Ending the previous administration’s disrespect for the legislative process is an important first step.”

Sessions said the Obama-era program imposed on congressional powers when it was created in 2012 with an executive order by then President Obama.

DACA recipients are young people who came to the U.S. undocumented as minors under the age of 16. In a tweet, President Trump leaves it to Congress to address DACA which protects about 800,000 people in the U.S. from deportation, 7,600 of those right here in Wisconsin.

“Ending those opportunities for young people and their parents to stay in this country legally to work, pay taxes, to go to school, to be good citizens seems irrational to me,” says Tony Evers state schools superintendent.

Former President Barack Obama also released a statement saying in part:

“To target these young people is wrong - because they have done nothing wrong. It is self-defeating - because they want to start new businesses, staff our labs, serve in our military and otherwise contribute to the country we love. And it is cruel.”

You can read his full statement here.

County Executive Chris Abele says:

““I support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and urge Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together to ensure these crucial protections remain in place.”

Mayor Tom Barrett says he too stands in support for DACA recipients.

“Ending DACA would be unbelievably cruel to thousands of children who grew up here in the United States, who love this country, and who were raised here as Americans. I will join a growing bipartisan chorus of elected officials, community leaders, and business leaders all across this country to fight this senseless action.”

Following the announcement, current DACA recipients will not be affected until March of 2018.

As of now, no new requests will be processed.

Sources say DREAMERS will not be a high priority for deportation.