Marc Veasey Slams DOJ Decision Ending Deportation Protections for DACA Recipients

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Veasey, who has conducted several ICE detention and processing center visits, released the following statement showing outrage towards the new actions by the U.S. Department of Justice that make it easier to deport individuals protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

"The Department of Justice's latest move to weaken protections for DACA recipients is deeply concerning and undermines the stability of hundreds of thousands of young DACA recipients who call this country home," said Congressman Veasey.

According to recent reporting, appellate immigration judges sided with the Department, making it easier for the federal government to pursue deportation cases against DACA recipients by limiting their ability to challenge removal orders. "Dreamers have lived, studied, and worked in this country for their entire lives. They are essential members of our communities, but most importantly, they are human and deserve to be treated with humanity," Veasey added.

Veasey emphasized that weakening DACA protections would also have significant economic consequences-particularly for Texas. Dreamers contribute over $412 million in state and local taxes and more than $441 million in federal taxes annually, while holding a collective spending power of approximately $2.9 billion. Without protections like those proposed in the Dream Act, Texas could lose up to $6 billion in GDP each year.

At a time when our nation should be working toward comprehensive immigration reform, actions like this create fear, racial profiling and uncertainty for children who were brought here at a young age, and this is the only country they've ever known. "I urge the Administration to reverse course," said Veasey, "and I call on Congress to act swiftly to provide permanent protections for Dreamers-not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is integral to our economy and the future of our country."