SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF: Former president Obama's initiative, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is all set to be repealed by Donald Trump. The President, however, would give the Congress six months to draft a legislation to replace it. Trump decided to delay enforcement of his decision to end the programme, a source said, adding that he could change his mind.
The decision represents a compromise of sorts after Republicans and business leaders asked Trump to keep the programme that protects nearly 800,000 young men and women, also called “Dreamers” from deportation and allows them to work legally. Business tycoons including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who signed a letter to the president outlining the economic contribution of Dreamers supported the programme. Prior to the news of Trump's action, Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted, “250 of my Apple co-workers are #Dreamers. I stand with them.”
Rep. Joe Croweley, D-New York, made an impassioned press call, saying, “These are American children. Eighty per cent of Americans support DACA and keeping these DREAMERS right here where they belong.” He noted that Trump had promised compassion for undocumented children on several occasions after he was elected to the office. “They're not here for hand-outs, they're not here to harm, they're here to contribute to our country.”
When asked if litigation would ensue in case the DACA is repealed, Crowley said, “We will exhaust every legal avenue. But the President could show his compassion by not prosecuting or persecuting DACA kids, and give peace of mind to these young people. We cannot send these children back to the country of their birth.” Earlier in February, Trump had said that the DACA executive order was one of the most difficult issues he has had to deal with.
