PHILADELPHIA— The Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs has released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protections.

“As leaders on the Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs, our hearts go out to all the DACAmented youth and people in Pennsylvanian whose futures have been threatened due to the latest impulsive actions by the Administration.

“The DACA program has transformed the lives of 800,000 immigrant youth across the country. This includes over 5,000 Pennsylvanians and hundreds in our city of Philadelphia. Dreamers are taking full advantage and contributing at many levels – youth who now have been able to find gainful employment, move out of low wage jobs and support their families. Others have found themselves on a path to college, earning a degree, and furthering their potential and abilities to contribute to this community and city.

“DACA has led to positive impacts within the Asian American community and is the path forward. When DACA was announced in 2012, an estimated 11% of eligible recipients were Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI). Five years on, nearly 20,000 AAPI youth have applied. There are tens of thousands of AAPI youth who stand to benefit from the program so that the positive contribution to our city and state can still be fully realized.

“To not legislate a permanent solution to DACA would be a betrayal and an act of cowardice to these young people, their families, and our city and state. We, the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs join our Mayor and the many organizations organizing on the ground around the state to move forward with the DREAM Act immediately.

“Dreamers – we say to you – we stand with you, we are here for you, and we will do all in our ability to push the state and congressional leadership to legislate a permanent solution for DACA once and for all.”