D.C. Metro Area Founders, Tech Leaders Speak Out Against End of DACA

With the announcement today of the end of the Deferred Act for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, entrepreneurs and business leaders by and large have been flocking to speak out against the Trump administration's decision.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration would no longer be accepting new applications for the program, 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.

In response, several D.C. metro area entrepreneurs and business leaders have 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." 

Among the D.C. area entrepreneurs and business leaders who signed the letter so far are 2U co-founder and CEO Chip Paucek and Mapbox CEO Eric Gundersen.

Below is the list of leaders in the D.C. metro area who signed the letter. DC Inno will update the list as it changes. Don't see your name? Let us know.

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