Hundreds of business leaders and entrepreneurs are speaking out against the Trump Administration's decision to end the Deferred Act for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the Trump administration would no longer be accepting new applications for DACA, which shields young, undocumented immigrants from deportation, often referred to as Dreamers. President Trump called on Congress to replace the program before it expires on March 5, 2018.
Several Twin Cities business leaders signed an online letter coordinated by FWD.us, an immigration lobbying nonprofit, to congressional leadership to prevent the end of the program.
In part, the letter reads:
“Unless we act now to preserve the DACA program, all 780,000 hardworking young people will lose their ability to work legally in this country, and every one of them will be at immediate risk of deportation. Our economy would lose $460.3 billion from the national GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions.
Dreamers are vital to the future of our companies and our economy. With them, we grow and create jobs. They are part of why we will continue to have a global competitive advantage.”
Below are the Twin Cities business and tech leaders that signed the letter. Don't see your name? Reach out to mkennedy@americaninno.com and let us know. Minne Inno will update the list with changes.
- Hubert Joly, Chairman & CEO, Best Buy
- Dean Hager, CEO, Jamf
- William Blazar, Senior Vice President, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Jonathan Weinhagen, president of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, also voiced his defense of the program via Twitter, saying:
I stand behind #DACA. Not just because it's good for the economy in @CityMinneapolis, but because it's right and just policy. @MplsChamber
— Jonathan Weinhagen (@jweinhagen) September 4, 2017
University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler released a separate statement with the University's stance on the end of DACA. In it, Kaler said he's "deeply disappointed" by the decision, adding that students enrolled in DACA are valued members of the community, and the university stands with them.
Despite federal government actions, the Minnesota Dream Act remains in tact. Kaler said that students who meet the law's criteria will continue to receive in-state tuition and can apply for financial aid.
Do you have a comment or story to share in response to today's DACA news? Email us: mkennedy@americaninno.com.
