Some in Colorado are concerned about President Donald Trump’s announcement that the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals program, or DACA, will end, while others believe the change is needed.
As Colorado Public Radio reports, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the end of DACA - which protects children of parents who came to the U.S. illegally from deportation - after six months if Congress cannot find a legislative solution.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said the government should not turn its back on DACA participants, saying the decision unnecessarily jeopardizes the futures of more than 17,000 Coloradans.
GOP Rep. Mike Coffman formally filed a discharge petition Tuesday to force a vote on the BRIDGE Act in the House that would give a 3-year extension to DACA, allowing Congress more time to come up with permanent immigration reform.
Coffman said the way that DACA was created was unconstitutional, but that he is an advocate for the continuation of such a program. He is confident that three years will be enough time to find a solution.
DACA participants will continue to be protected until March, but as of Tuesday no new applications will be accepted by the federal government.