'Cruel, Inhumane': Washington Politicians React To DACA Repeal

SEATTLE, WA - Local politicians - both Democrats and Republicans - quickly and forcefully condemned President Donald Trump's repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was announced Tuesday morning by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Various outlets have reported since Friday the announcement would happen Tuesday, although it was unclear until today morning what form the repeal would take. Sessions said that the repeal is immediate, and the government will stop accepting new applications; the 800,000 people with DACA status will get to keep it for about six months before immigration enforcement begins.

President Barack Obama instituted DACA in June 2012 to allow people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children to stay in the country. The program defers deportation enforcement for recipients. DACA recipients have to reapply for the status every two years, and must meet specific criteria, including not having any criminal convictions.

In letting current recipients keep DACA status for six months, the Trump administration is giving Congress time to pass legislation to protect DACA "Dreamers."

Here's how local politicians reacted to Tuesday's news:

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle: President Trump is destroying the future of nearly 800,000 young men ad women who were brought here by their parents and know no other country but this one. After toying with their futures and raising their hopes with talk of his 'big heart.' Donald Trump has shown exactly what his priorities are. He has once again sides with xenophobia, putting in place a repeal that is cruel, inhuman, and unjust."

U.S. Rep. Denny Heck, D-Lakewood: #DREAMers add billions in GDP growth to our economy, creating jobs and raising wages for U.S. citizens.

Gov. Jay Inslee: More than 17,000 Dreamers call Washington state home. The cruel action reported [Tuesday] by the president threatens the ability of these young men and women -- many of whom know of no other place to call home -- to pursue the incredible opportunities our nation promised them five years ago.

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington: Decision to end #DACA is wrong. We must allow thousands of #DREAMers with great potential to continue contributing to our society & economy. Nearly 18,000 #DREAMers in WA are our neighbors, our children's classmates, our members of our military, contribute to & call WA state home.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington: Ending #DACA may be good politics for President Trump’s base, but it flies in the face of our nation’s core values. We must #DefendDACA. Now is the time to honor the very foundation of our immigrant nation & find a solution to honor the 800K DREAMers who call America home.

U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Issaquah: They are our friends, neighbors, colleagues, spouses, and honored members of the military willing to sacrifice their life for our freedom. Punishing these individuals who have contributed so much to our communities and for a crime they did not commit is not in the American DNA. We are a caring, compassionate people and we in Congress must work toward a long-term immigration solution that is fair, respects the dignity of families, and allows all individuals to pursue the American dream.

Jenny Durkan, Seattle mayoral candidate: This cruel and inhumane act will rip apart families, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. While Trump and the Republican Congress may break promises made to DREAMers, immigrants, and refugees, Seattle won't. We are a better and stronger community with DREAMers, and as mayor, I would take immediate steps to fulfill the promise of Seattle as a Sanctuary City and home to DREAMers.

Cary Moon, Seattle mayoral candidate: Ending DACA would tear thousands of families apart and cause dire consequences for communities across the country. To protect our DREAMers, and their families,we must be more than just be a sanctuary city. We must have affordable housing, jobs, education and progressive infrastructure to ensure we all thrive.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray: President Trump’s elimination of DACA is a reprehensible and heartless act by a president who has repeatedly attacked immigrants. His action could rip apart families and will certainly instill fear in millions, including hundreds of thousands of people who came to the U.S. as children and are students in our schools, coworkers and members of our communities. Ending DACA increases the fear many have already been feeling since Trump took over, that they may return home to find a family member detained or authorities waiting for them.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Renton: Ending #DACA defies our history as a nation of immigrants. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect #DREAMers & #DefendDACA.

U.S. Rep Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor: The Trump administration’s decision to end #DACA is wrong. I stand with DREAMers.

King County Executive Dow Constantine: The president is intentionally tearing families and communities apart across the United States, threatening innocent people who were brought to America as children. Rather than seeking to unite the country, he is targeting children and young people - our neighbors; our kids' classmates - families who make our communities and economies stronger and reconfirm America's promise as a land of opportunity. I stand with advocates, faith leaders, and elected officials across the country in calling on Congress to pass legislation to make our commitment to Dreamers permanent. Now is the time for courage and leadership, not fear and intimidation.

Image Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press