September 5, 2017: Congress Must Act to Protect Young Immigrant ‘Dreamers,’ Says New York State Bar Association President Gerstman

September 5, 2017: Congress Must Act to Protect Young Immigrant ‘Dreamers,’ Says New York State Bar Association President Gerstman

9.5.2017

By Communications Department

Sharon Stern Gerstman, president of the New York State Bar Association, today issued the following statement about the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program:

“The New York Bar Association urges Congress to act promptly to protect young immigrants affected by the phased-in termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“In announcing that DACA will expire March 5, 2018, the Trump Administration noted that Congress will have ‘time to deliver on appropriate legislative solutions.’

“Without action by Congress, young immigrants—known as ‘Dreamers’—may face the prospect of being deported to countries of their birth, countries that many left as small children. They grew up in the United States, attended schools and colleges here, and have become a vital part of our national economy. They work for small businesses and giant corporations. They are business owners, construction workers, nurses, teachers, engineers and lawyers.

“Ending DACA will force 800,000 young people—and 50,000 in New York—back into the shadows. It will cause irreparable harm to individuals, families and communities, and to the nation’s economy.

“Congress must act without delay.”

The 72,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary bar association in the nation.  It was founded in 1876.

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Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
Director of Media Services & Public Affairs
lbang-jensen@nysba.org
518/487-5530