Heinrich Marks Fifth Anniversary Of DACA Implementation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement to mark the 5th anniversary of the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows undocumented immigrants, known as DREAMers, who arrived in the United States as children to apply for temporary protection from deportation: 

“In the five years since its implementation, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has changed the lives of some of our brightest students and veterans who have come out of the shadows to earn an education, contribute to our economy, and give back to their communities and their country.

“I’ve had the privilege of meeting several DREAMers in New Mexico and sharing their inspiring stories. These are young people working to become doctors, scientists, lawyers, and engineers. They want to start businesses, teach in our classrooms, and contribute to America's success. 

“We should never be a country that kicks out some of our best and brightest students. We should not be a nation that tears families apart. I will not stand for policies that are contrary to our fundamental American ideals and values. I know how hard immigrants work, how much they believe in this country, how much they're willing to give back, and how different my own life would be if America had turned my father away when he immigrated here as a young boy.

“I will continue to fight for DREAMers and the promise DACA represents for thousands of young people across New Mexico.”

Earlier this year, Senator Heinrich introduced the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017 to safeguard the private information—such as addresses and telephone numbers—of DREAMers to ensure that they are not targeted by the Trump Administration for deportation.