Washington, DC - The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) condemns the administration’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that has helped hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to live, study, and work in the U.S. since its implementation. The end of DACA puts its 800,000 recipients, including over 30,000 Asian Americans, at risk for deportation.
Monica Thammarath, APALA National President, stated: “Today, we hold our immigrant community close. Know we will protect, defend, and fight with you – our immigrant brothers, sisters, and siblings – from raids, detention, and deportation. We are committed as ever to do everything in our power to stop this mass deportation agenda, and to make sure white supremacists and their agenda have no place in the White House or at any level of government now and in the future. If we are to truly move towards comprehensive immigration reform, mass deportation is not the answer. We call on our elected officials to find lasting legislative solutions that protect and strengthen sanctuary cities, defund and demilitarize our borders and our communities, and ensure that all immigrants live free from fear of detention or deportation.”
“Killing DACA destroys the dreams, lives, and families of youth immigrants throughout this country,” commented Kim Geron, APALA 1st Vice President. “It is a despicable move, part of a white supremacist agenda that aims to oppress and criminalize workers, immigrants, and young people of color. Choking off education and job opportunities will mean hundreds of thousands of young people and their families will be deprived of badly needed economic gains and snuff out the dreams of our immigrant youth.”
APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh added: “The administration’s agenda – which already so clearly drips of racism, hate, and xenophobia – not only challenges the fabric of a country that prides itself on diversity and opportunity, but also threatens the very existence of ours- and allied- communities. APALA will not tolerate the mass criminalization of people of color nor will we be idle as our family, friends, and co-workers come under immediate threat.”
Johanna Puno Hester, APALA 2nd Vice President, concluded: “Today is a sad day for DACA-mented young folks and for the entire immigrant community throughout this country. The administration has made it clear that immigrants are not wanted despite the invaluable contributions our community makes to this country every single day. Still, we remain resolute in our fight for dignity and respect for all immigrants, and we fight with a spirit of resistance and say, ‘We are #HereToStay!’ ”
Monica Thammarath, APALA National President, stated: “Today, we hold our immigrant community close. Know we will protect, defend, and fight with you – our immigrant brothers, sisters, and siblings – from raids, detention, and deportation. We are committed as ever to do everything in our power to stop this mass deportation agenda, and to make sure white supremacists and their agenda have no place in the White House or at any level of government now and in the future. If we are to truly move towards comprehensive immigration reform, mass deportation is not the answer. We call on our elected officials to find lasting legislative solutions that protect and strengthen sanctuary cities, defund and demilitarize our borders and our communities, and ensure that all immigrants live free from fear of detention or deportation.”
“Killing DACA destroys the dreams, lives, and families of youth immigrants throughout this country,” commented Kim Geron, APALA 1st Vice President. “It is a despicable move, part of a white supremacist agenda that aims to oppress and criminalize workers, immigrants, and young people of color. Choking off education and job opportunities will mean hundreds of thousands of young people and their families will be deprived of badly needed economic gains and snuff out the dreams of our immigrant youth.”
APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh added: “The administration’s agenda – which already so clearly drips of racism, hate, and xenophobia – not only challenges the fabric of a country that prides itself on diversity and opportunity, but also threatens the very existence of ours- and allied- communities. APALA will not tolerate the mass criminalization of people of color nor will we be idle as our family, friends, and co-workers come under immediate threat.”
Johanna Puno Hester, APALA 2nd Vice President, concluded: “Today is a sad day for DACA-mented young folks and for the entire immigrant community throughout this country. The administration has made it clear that immigrants are not wanted despite the invaluable contributions our community makes to this country every single day. Still, we remain resolute in our fight for dignity and respect for all immigrants, and we fight with a spirit of resistance and say, ‘We are #HereToStay!’ ”
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