Farmworker Justice Condemns President Trump’s Decision to End DACA Program

Farmworker Justice condemns President Trump’s recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  “This action epitomizes the divisive, cold-hearted approach of the Trump Administration to immigrants and immigration policy,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice.  “The President is ignoring broad public support for the DACA program as well as the humanitarian needs of families affected by DACA, including many farmworker families. Congress should respond immediately to protect the youth who are participating in and eligible for the DACA program by passing the bi-partisan DREAM Act,” he added.

Terminating DACA places the nearly 800,000 young people whom the program allows to work and live in the United States at risk of deportation.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also announced that it will stop receiving applications for the program. The potential for deportation for both current and potential DACA youth is acute due to the Trump Administration’s increased arrests and deportation of undocumented immigrants.   

DACA has played a critically important role for the youth eligible for the program, including undocumented farmworkers and children of farmworkers.  By eliminating the constant fear of deportation, DACA allowed aspiring Americans to contribute more fully to their communities and be empowered in their workplaces.  DACA recipients are integrated into our nation’s communities and workforces, including in our food and agriculture sectors.  The impact of ending the program will be deeply felt not just economically but also socially.

A majority of the nation’s farmworkers laboring on our farms and ranches are undocumented immigrants.  About one-half of farmworkers have children who have not reached adulthood.  Most undocumented farmworkers have been living and working in the U.S. for many years and are vital contributors to our agriculture and food systems. Many undocumented farmworkers and their children are living in fear of arrest and deportation due to the marked increase in the detention and removal of undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records.

Since DACA’s inception in 2012, Farmworker Justice has collaborated with farmworker-serving  organizations to help farmworkers and their children participate in the DACA program. Farmworker Justice will continue to work with groups throughout the country to support DACA youth and to win legislation to overturn this unconscionable decision, as well as ensure that the fate of DACA youth is not used as leverage for increased funding for the Administration’s mass deportation plans, attempts to militarize the border, or reduce workers' rights. Farmworker Justice also will continue its efforts in support of legislation to create a path to citizenship for all aspiring Americans, including undocumented farmworkers and their family members.

 

 

Farmworker Justice condemns President Trump’s recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  “This action epitomizes the divisive, cold-hearted approach of the Trump Administration to immigrants and immigration policy,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice.  “The President is ignoring broad public support for the DACA program as well as the humanitarian needs of families affected by DACA, including many farmworker families. Congress should respond immediately to protect the youth who are participating in and eligible for the DACA program by passing the bi-partisan DREAM Act,” he added.

Terminating DACA places the nearly 800,000 young people whom the program allows to work and live in the United States at risk of deportation.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also announced that it will stop receiving applications for the program. The potential for deportation for both current and potential DACA youth is acute due to the Trump Administration’s increased arrests and deportation of undocumented immigrants.   

DACA has played a critically important role for the youth eligible for the program, including undocumented farmworkers and children of farmworkers.  By eliminating the constant fear of deportation, DACA allowed aspiring Americans to contribute more fully to their communities and be empowered in their workplaces.  DACA recipients are integrated into our nation’s communities and workforces, including in our food and agriculture sectors.  The impact of ending the program will be deeply felt not just economically but also socially.

A majority of the nation’s farmworkers laboring on our farms and ranches are undocumented immigrants.  About one-half of farmworkers have children who have not reached adulthood.  Most undocumented farmworkers have been living and working in the U.S. for many years and are vital contributors to our agriculture and food systems. Many undocumented farmworkers and their children are living in fear of arrest and deportation due to the marked increase in the detention and removal of undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records.

Since DACA’s inception in 2012, Farmworker Justice has collaborated with farmworker-serving  organizations to help farmworkers and their children participate in the DACA program. Farmworker Justice will continue to work with groups throughout the country to support DACA youth and to win legislation to overturn this unconscionable decision, as well as ensure that the fate of DACA youth is not used as leverage for increased funding for the Administration’s mass deportation plans, attempts to militarize the border, or to reduce workers' rights.  Farmworker Justice also will continue its efforts in support of legislation to create a path to citizenship for all aspiring Americans, including undocumented farmworkers and their family members.