Last night, House Republicans blocked an amendment by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) to protect DREAMers from deportation following the announcement by the Trump Administration that DACA is ending and congressional action is needed right away to avoid deportation of up to 800,000 DREAMers.

“Despite the chorus from some Republican lawmakers who say they want to protect DREAMers from deportation, the Republican majority refused to allow my amendment to come to the floor for debate and a vote.  Speaker Ryan and Republicans in Congress appear unwilling to take any step to protect DREAMers despite widespread calls for action from families, churches and businesses across America,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

“Congress must immediately pass the DREAM Act to provide certainty and stability to these young people and our community.  I will fight every day and in every way possible to protect our young DREAMers.  They know no other home but America, and my Republican colleagues and President Trump must live up to their rhetoric and do the right thing and support and pass legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers.”  

IMPORTANTLY ! The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will accept DACA renewal applications filed through Oct. 5, 2017, for current DACA recipients whose authorizations expire between Sep. 5, 2017 and Mar. 5, 2018.

“If you or someone you know is a DACA student or works with DACA students whose renewal is coming up, they should apply immediately and in any case before the Oct. 5 deadline.  These students will be able to stay on DACA for two years,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

Over the years, U.S. Rep. Castor has worked to unite Tampa Bay behind the DREAMERs.  This year and in past years, U.S. Rep. Castor has held town halls, public meetings and roundtables focused on immigration and protecting DREAMers, where she brought together legal experts and community resources, and hundreds came out to learn and support the success of these students.  She is a cosponsor of the American Hope Act, which would provide a pathway to legal permanent residency for those who arrived to the United States before their 18th birthday and before Dec. 31, 2016.  She has also cosponsored legislation to stop President Trump’s travel ban, to clear the way for people detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to gain access to an attorney and to prevent the federal government from denying someone access to the United States based solely on their religious beliefs.

U.S. Rep. Castor has made important dates related to the rescission of DACA available on her website, in both English and Spanish:

What Does DACA Repeal Mean For My Constituents?

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