Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates, reacting to the President Trump’s threats to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Five years ago, the federal government made a promise to young undocumented immigrants: So long as they came forward, passed a background check, and met several other criteria, they could live in our country without the constant fear of deportation.

President Trump has threatened to go back on that promise and pull the rug out from underneath 800,000 young adults who are Americans in all but their paperwork. This would be morally indefensible and fiscally irresponsible. Not only would these Dreamers be put at immediate risk of deportation, but many would lose their jobs, have to drop out of school, and be unable to care for themselves or their families.

Rescinding the DACA program has been a longstanding goal of the white supremacist movement and, once again, Trump’s threats are proving that his loyalty lies with them instead of with the majority of Americans.

We will continue our united campaign for equality and protection for all, and we will not let Trump’s bigoted agenda define our nation.”

Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.

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