DHS chief warns against using DREAMers' info for deportation
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is warning that information the Obama administration collected on so-called “DREAMers” should be protected and not be used for deportation purposes.
Johnson made the argument in a letter released Tuesday in response to a letter more than 110 lawmakers sent to him in early December. He explained that since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was announced in 2012, the administration has made clear that the information collected by applicants would only be used to adjudicate requests for the program and would be safeguarded for other immigration-related purposes.
“More specifically, the U.S. government represented to applicants that the personal information they provided will not later be used for immigration enforcement purposes except where it is independently determined that a case involves a national security or public safety threat, criminal activity, fraud or limited other circumstances where issuance of a notice to appear is required by law,” he wrote in the letter dated Dec. 30.
“We believe these representations made by the U.S. government, upon which DACA applicants most assuredly relied, must continue to be honored,” he said.
Johnson noted that there are 750,000 young people enrolled in DACA and that thousands of them have been able to enroll in colleges and universities through the program and eventually contribute to the U.S. economy.
While he didn’t name President-elect Donald Trump or his policy positions announced on the campaign trail, Johnson’s warning was clearly made to Mr. Trump who discussed deporting undocumented immigrants during the election.
Several Democrats are not satisfied, however, with Johnson’s response to their original request, which called on President Obama to issue an executive order to protect the personal information of DACA recipients.
“Secretary Johnson’s commitment to protecting Dreamers from deportation is admirable, as is the work done by DHS and this administration to protect and support immigrants,” Rep. Judy Chu, D-California said. “However, this letter unfortunately falls short on necessary assurances for the future.”
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-California, said she and other Democrats still urge Mr. Obama to take immediate action before he leaves office.
“Given the statements of the incoming Trump Administration, DACA enrollees are currently living in fear of an uncertain future,” she said. “They fear being ripped from their home, their family, and the only country they know.”
