Engel Statement on March 5th Deadline for DACA Renewal
“Today is the day DREAMers have been dreading since President Trump unilaterally decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, more commonly known as DACA. It’s a sad day indeed.
“For months, Congress, under Republican rule, has done nothing but pay lip-service to the very real problem the President created when he killed DACA. Despite a near constant outcry from Democrats, advocates, DREAMers themselves, their friends, and their families, the GOP has done nothing. As a result, 800,000 DACA recipients have been left to twist in the wind, with hundreds losing their legal status every single day, opening them to the very real possibility of deportation. Though, court rulings have provided temporary reprieve by halting the termination of DACA, DREAMers still urgently need a permanent legislative fix. Unfortunately, there appears to be no solution in sight from Republican leadership, which is absolutely shameful.
“As discouraging as this process has been, it’s not at all surprising. The GOP has been pushing a not-so-subtle xenophobic agenda for some time now, and the plight of the DREAMers was never a real priority to their party. If they really cared about DREAMers, they could have at any point in time passed a continuing resolution that included a DACA renewal. But instead, they used these kids as a bargaining chip to try and advance their hardline, anti-immigrant agenda.
“Since the decision was made to end DACA, Congress has passed five continuing resolutions to fund the government on a short-term basis. I have voted against all five of them because they did not protect our DREAMers. The time for talk is over. Republicans must immediately bring to the floor a clean Dream Act before more families are torn apart by their heartless ploy. Enough games.”
STATEMENT ON STATE DEPARTMENT FAILURE TO USE ANTI-PROPAGANDA FUNDING
Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the Department of State’s reported failure to use $120 million designated to combat Russian propaganda:
“Weeks after Secretary Tillerson lamented that it’s ‘very difficult’ to stop Russia’s meddling in our elections, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that this Administration isn’t even interested in trying. Last summer, I pressed the State Department to use the resources Congress provided to push back on Russian propaganda, yet the Department hasn’t spent a single dollar. I’m tired of excuses and I’m tired of waiting. When Secretary Tillerson appears before our Committee later this month, I expect to hear why this Administration has again ignored Congress and what his Department intends to do to deal with this attack on our democracy.”
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