American dream dashed

– President Donald Trump on Tuesday ended an amnesty for 800 000 people brought illegally to the US as minors, throwing their future in serious doubt and triggering fierce condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Business leaders, unions, religious groups, opposition Democrats and many within Trump’s own Republican party joined forces to criticise the phased end of protections for people who arrived in the US under the age of 16.

So-called dreamers – many Hispanic, now in their 20s – will have between six and 24 months before they become illegal and subject to potential deportation.

“This is the only country I know,” said Ivan Ceja, a 26-yearold computer science student and immigrant rights advocate who arrived in the country as a baby.

“My future is here. I’m not going to go without a fight.”

Trump later insisted he had “great heart for the folks we are talking about” and called on Congress to pass wide-ranging immigration reform – something they have tried to do for decades.

The president vowed to “revisit” the issue if Congress fails.

“I look forward to working w/ D’s + R’s in Congress to address immigration reform in a way that puts hardworking citizens of our country 1st,” he tweeted. – AFP

Washington