U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) today denounced a Republican anti-immigration vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to deport Dream Act students. The vote is a direct attack on the "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" initiative that protects hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the United States as children and have since led law-abiding lives.

“Republicans want to yank away the hope of achieving the American Dream from these young students. 'DREAMers' who were brought to America as children and know no other country but America, are law-abiding and wish to become productive, attend college and work. The Republican Congressional vote is contrary to our values as a nation,” Rep. Castor said.

“This measure poisoned the entire Homeland Security Appropriations Act, and it is extremely disappointing that Republicans believe that students should be punished as the political debate over immigration reform drags out. ”

"Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" is part of President Obama’s June 2012 order that protects immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria. 

“Gov. Rick Scott also has regrettably taken a hard-line approach against DREAMers by vetoing a state measure this week that would have allowed students granted Deferred Action to obtain a driver’s license,” Rep. Castor said. “Students who already have been granted Deferred Action or are entering the process and are ready to go to school or work now face an unnecessary roadblock from Gov. Scott.  It impacts us all.  Blocking a path to the American Dream for these talented, young students now appears to be a disturbing pattern for Republicans.”