From Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA04):
McEachin Urges Trump Administration to Refrain from Using DACA Personal Information
WASHINGTON – Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) joined 78 of his colleagues to send a letter to Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Duke, demanding that the Trump Administration refrain from using Dreamers’ personal information for any enforcement actions, including deportation.
“I was proud to join my colleagues in sending a letter demanding that Ms. Duke continue to ensure that personal data provided by 690,000 current DACA recipients will not be used against them in the future,” said Congressman Donald McEachin. “DREAMers provided this information in the act of trust. We must not abuse that trust, and we must enact the DREAM Act as quickly as possible to ensure that the Trump Administration does not break up families.”
DACA recipients provided the Department of Homeland Security with personal information, such as name and address, to obtain protected status. The use of this information makes them easy targets for deportation.
“The young DREAMers who have come forward and shared not only their personal data, but that of their families with the federal government did so with many assurances from our government,” wrote the Members of Congress. “They were promised that, should they come out of the shadows, their residency and personal information would be protected. We have heard from countless young people who are terrified of their information being given to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and used for enforcement purposes. These young constituents have understandably lost faith in our government. We urge the Department of Homeland Security to protect this critical information, and ensure that this personal data will not be used for deportation purposes.”
Congressman McEachin is a cosponsor of H.R. 3440, the Dream Act of 2017.
Full letter text is available here and below.
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Link to release: https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-urges-trump-administration-refrain-using-daca-personal-information
September 7, 2017
The Honorable Elaine C. Duke
Acting Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Acting Secretary Duke:
We are writing today with deep concerns about the elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. After repeated promises by the Administration that this program would be protected, the young people safeguarded by DACA are once again in jeopardy. Beyond urging this Administration to reconsider ending this critical program, we are particularly worried about how the Department of Homeland Security will address safeguarding personal data provided by the 800,000 DREAMers, many of whom reside in our districts.
The young DREAMers who have come forward and shared not only their personal data, but that of their families with the federal government did so with many assurances from our government. They were promised that, should they come out of the shadows, their residency and personal information would be protected. We have heard from countless young people who are terrified of their information being given to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and used for enforcement purposes. These young constituents have understandably lost faith in our government. We urge the Department of Homeland Security to protect this critical information, and ensure that this personal data will not be used for deportation purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security has a vested interest in fostering trust and cooperation from our immigrant communities. To break the trust of the American people by misusing DACA data would be a risk to law and order in our country. Once again, we ask that you give your assurance to DACA recipients that their information will not be used for enforcement purposes.
We look forward to your timely response to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
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