Leaders of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Call on Congress to Pass a Permanent Legislative Solution This Year
Washington, DC – In an open letter, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), led by USCM President and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, is calling on President Trump not to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program before Congress is able to provide a legislative solution. The letter is signed by 11 mayors who serve in various leadership roles at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The full text can be found here.
The mayors write, in part:
“The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the DACA program provided a reprieve to DACA recipients. It delivered a powerful message to Dreamers: this country belongs to you today and will remain your home tomorrow. Dreamers are our neighbors, colleagues, essential workers, entrepreneurs, students, and soldiers. For hundreds of thousands nationwide, this ruling was life-changing — a source of relief and a reason for celebration.
For these young people and every immigrant who strengthens America’s economy, communities, and future, Congress must deliver on the promise of a long-term and humane legislative solution, so nobody’s status hangs in the balance of uncertainty again. And, until it does so, the Administration must maintain the DACA program and continue to accept new applicants as they become eligible for it.”
The letter, which went to the President and members of the Congressional leadership, was signed by:
Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer, USCM President
Dayton (OH) Mayor Nan Whaley, USCM Vice President
Miami (FL) Mayor Francis X. Suarez, USCM 2nd Vice President
Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan K. Barnett, USCM Past President
Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin, USCM Past President
Burnsville (MN) Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz, USCM Past President
Los Angeles (CA) Mayor Eric Garcetti, Chair, USCM Latino Alliance
Mesa (AZ) Mayor John Giles, Co-Chair, USCM Immigration Reform Task Force
Providence (RI) Mayor Jorge Elorza, Co-Chair, USCM Immigration Reform Task Force
Chicago (IL) Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chair, USCM Criminal and Social Justice Committee
El Paso (TX) Mayor Dee Margo, Vice Chair for Border Policy, USCM Criminal and Social Justice Committee
Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s earlier effort to close down the program, citing an unlawful rulemaking process. Following this ruling, the Administration is reportedly considering another attempt to end DACA, which could force the deportation of close to one million younger people. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has long supported a permanent legislative solution to ensure Dreamers can stay in this country, and mayors are once again calling on Congress to pass a law allowing them to earn American citizenship after meeting certain criteria.