Pelosi Statement on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans Day

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in recognition of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) day, marking the date when the President's Immigration Accountability Executive Actions were set to take effect:

"Today was supposed to be a day of joy and possibility for Americans and immigrant families across the country. Under President Obama's bold immigration accountability executive actions, today immigrant parents of American citizens and more young DREAMers would have had the opportunity to step out of the shadows and live and work openly in the country they are proud to call home.

"Instead, Republican anti-immigrant extremism has sought to deny the dreams and the dignity to our nation's hard-working immigrants and families at every turn. Republicans continue to insist on tearing apart families, separating loved ones, blocking immigration reform and pandering to the most xenophobic fringe of their party. Their relentless anti-immigrant obstruction has delayed the great promise of this day.

"The best solution for our broken immigration system is enactment of compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform. We should restore fairness to our immigration system, protect families against Republican demagoguery, and affirm the best traditions of our country. As we mark DAPA day, we rededicate ourselves to achieving these goals. While Republicans have delayed the promise of DAPA and an expanded DACA, we are confident in the strength of the overwhelming and bipartisan precedent set by 50 years of American Presidents, and we will continue to press for President Obama's executive actions to be upheld."

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