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Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The administration won’t consider new applications dated after today, September 5th. DACA recipients whose permits are set to expire before March 5th 2018, will be allowed a one-time renewal. By March 2020, DACA ceases to exist entirely, for everyone. This is yet another attack on communities of color by a white supremacist White House.
Almost 800,000 dreamers throughout the U.S. have received two-year renewable work permits and deportation relief through DACA-- over 12,000 of them call Virginia home. Now, because of DACA, these young people live more freely and fully. They’ve realized their dreams, pursued higher education, worked as nurses and teachers, and built lives outside of the shadows.
Repealing DACA is an attempt to intimidate not only immigrant communities, but all communities of color, and those standing in solidarity with them. The attack on DACA is part of this administration’s overall agenda to falsely reframe racism and domestic terrorism as “border security” and “public safety”, just like they have done in recent history. We will stand together as immigrants, communities of color and working class folks, fighting to live with freedom and dignity. We refuse to be intimidated by this administration.
Although young people represent only a portion of our immigrant communities who continue to fight for documentation and against deportation, repealing DACA will affect the fabric of our entire society. We must strengthen our call to enact legislation that replaces fear and uncertainty with permanent protection for all immigrants.
An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. We defend DACA, not just because immigrants boost our economy, but because immigrants are humans who deserve respect, protection and dignity. We will continue to fiercely fight for the protection of our communities.
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New Virginia Majority builds power in working-class communities of color across the Commonwealth. We organize for racial and economic justice through large-scale political education, mobilization and advocacy around dozens of issues. We fight for a Virginia that is just, democratic and environmentally sustainable