Newhouse Statement on Supreme Court DACA Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:
"I join Dreamers in Central Washington and across the country in breathing a deep sigh of relief in response to the Supreme Court's decision on DACA. These young people came to our country as children due to no fault of their own, and they continue to work, learn, and enrich our communities. They are our friends, healthcare providers, teachers, veterans, law enforcement officers, and our neighbors - they have never known any other home.
However, I strongly support delivering legal certainty to DACA recipients, and while this decision provides them relief from immediate action, Congress still has the responsibility to provide a truly permanent legislative solution as President Trump called for three years ago. We cannot continue to leave the fate of Dreamers before the courts or in the balance between Administrations.
Both chambers of Congress have failed to reach a bipartisan agreement on a permanent fix for DACA recipients that strengthens our national security and allows these young people to continue contributing to our society. I continue to work to develop legislation that will do just that, and I urge my colleagues to join me in these discussions. We must provide lasting certainty for Dreamers, once and for all."
Background:
There are over 17,000 DACA recipients in Washington state, with one third of them residing in the 4th Congressional District. Rep. Newhouse represents more DACA recipients than any other Republican Member of Congress. The average Dreamer came to this country at the age of 6 and is now 26. They speak English and are as culturally American as any native-born citizen.
In September 2017, President Trump announced the end of the DACA program and urged Congress to act to give certainty to DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers. He stated, "I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents." President Trump has also said, "Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military? Really!"
On June 4, 2019, Rep. Newhouse voted to support H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act, as one of only 7 Republicans to support the legislation.
On February 13, 2019, Rep. Newhouse joined Dreamers and DACA advocates at the Capitol for a press conference to urge congressional action.
On January 25, 2018, Rep. Newhouse expressed public support for the White House's announcement of an immigration framework that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and $25 billion for border security.
On January 18, 2018, Rep. Newhouse signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.4796, the Uniting and Securing America (USA) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Will Hurd (R-TX), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Jeff Denham (R-CA) that protects DACA recipients from deportation while implementing new commonsense border security measures through enhanced technology, manpower and physical barriers. The bill also addresses the immigration backlog that keeps families in limbo while advancing reforms in Central America to address the factors driving migration to the United States.
On December 5, 2017, Rep. Newhouse and 33 other Republican House members urged Speaker Paul Ryan to put a permanent solution for DACA on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives before the end of the year.
On November 9, 2017, Rep. Newhouse rallied 13 House Republicans to support ongoing negotiations led by House Republican leaders for a legislative solution for DACA beneficiaries the end of 2017.
On September 27, 2017, Rep. Newhouse joined colleagues to request Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Elaine Duke to extend the administration's DACA renewal deadline.
In response to President Trump's announcement on September 5, 2017 to wind down DACA, Rep. Newhouse worked with colleagues to urge action on a legislative solution before the end of 2017.
On September 1, 2017, Rep. Newhouse joined colleagues urging Speaker Paul Ryan for a legislative solution for DACA beneficiaries.
On April 6, 2017, Rep. Newhouse signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.1468, Recognizing America's Children Act, which would provide a path to legal status to children brought to the United States through no fault of their own.
On January 30, 2017, Rep. Newhouse signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 496, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, which would provide temporary relief from deportation and provide work authorization to undocumented youth.
On January 3, 2017, Rep. Newhouse signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.60, the Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training Act (ENLIST) Act, which would allow otherwise-qualified immigrants brought here by their parents through no fault of their own to earn legal status through military service.