WHAT IS DACA?

President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects nearly 800,000 young, undocumented immigrants from deportation and offers them the ability to work legally in the U.S. with two-year, renewable work permits.

“It is the job of Congress to write our laws, and President Obama’s DACA program was a clear example of executive overreach. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to find a feasible permanent solution.” — U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, R-Evans “These individuals include talented students, hardworking high school graduates, and veterans who pose no threat to public safety. Going after these individuals would consume much-needed resources needed by law enforcement to target those who would do America harm. By rescinding DACA, the administration is dragging us further and further away from necessary and common-sense immigration reform. I call for Congress to come together on a longterm, compassionate, and comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system.” — U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany “We are a nation of laws and we must enforce our immigration laws. This is one way we uphold our greatest responsibility of providing for the common defense. It is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States and our homeland security that we ensure that all those wishing to come and stay in our nation not only contribute in a positive way to our American society, but also come here in the proper and legal way. Amnesty should never be the answer.” — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler “President Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals memo demonstrates his understanding of the law, to which we are all bound. Unfortunately, the previous administration disregarded the law in a 2012 decision that remains unconstitutional.” — U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville “By rescinding DACA, President Trump is sending a clear and unambiguous message to his Steve Bannon-alt right supporters that they have a friend in the White House . ... President Trump did the wrong thing in failing to protect our DACA youth, and history will judge him harshly. Congress must now move immediately to pass legislation that protects these courageous, patriotic Dreamers.” — U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Lithonia “Tweaks by Congress, and executive orders by various administrations, have created an immigration policy that favors illegal immigration and punishes those who want to legally come here to work. President Barack Obama’s executive order was outside the constitutional authority of the executive branch, and I agree with President Trump’s decision to reverse the order and call on Congress to fundamentally reform our immigration policy.” — U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville “It is unconscionable to punish children for the actions of their parents. These are children and young adults who were brought to the U.S. as small kids, and they know no other home but here in America. They attend schools, hold jobs and are valuable members of our communities across the nation. They are American through and through, and deserve the same respect, dignity and chance to succeed that the rest of us hope for ourselves.” — U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta