David Jackson, current executive director for Breakthrough Collaborative, released a statement on behalf of the organization condemning President Trump’s order to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  “The Breakthrough Collaborative strongly believes that President Trump’s decision was wrong, inhumane, and a violation of the values that all Americans hold dear,” he writes.  “Breakthrough believes no person is illegal and that no student should be told they are unwelcome.”

Yesterday, Mr. Trump announced an end to the Obama-era program that provided protection from deportation to nearly 800,000 young adults.  Mr. Trump has urged Congress to produce a replacement plan within the next six months before he begins completely phasing out the program.

Read Mr. Jackson’s complete statement below:

President Trump ordered an end to the executive action that shields young undocumented immigrants, who arrived in the U.S. as children, from deportation. Under DACA 800,000 individuals currently attend high school and college, work legally, start companies, and serve in the military. DACA is broadly supported by the public, business leaders, college administrators, state governors, and bi-partisan members of the House and Senate.

The Breakthrough Collaborative strongly believes that President Trump’s decision was wrong, inhumane, and a violation of the values that all Americans hold dear. Breakthrough believes no person is illegal and that no student should be told they are unwelcome. Without question Dreamers contribute economically and socially to our local and national communities. We are a better society because of their presence in our country. They belong here.
This action cannot stand.

We, like so many across the country, call on Congress to immediately pass legislation that makes DACA the law of the land. We call on Congress to immediately act to provide security and safety to children, who have known no other country than the U.S. We call on Congress to provide to DACA participants the safety and security that all children deserve.

We stand with the entire Breakthrough Community in support of DACA students, families, Teaching Fellows and staff. We strongly support the efforts of schools across the nation to continue to provide safe and welcoming communities for everyone regardless of immigration status.