AUSTIN, TX - Today, the Trump Administration announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Ending DACA is cruel and morally unacceptable. This is not who we are as a country. We are not about hate or people ready to kick out young adults who were brought to this country as innocent children. Young adults who consider themselves Americans and who are proud of their country.

To end DACA is also shortsighted and works against America's future growth and success. DREAMers make us more competitive as a nation and as a state by fostering economic growth, developing new ideas, and bettering our society. They are not eligible for welfare or any government benefits, yet DREAMers pay over $2 billion in state and local taxes each year.

Texas has always supported our DREAMers and was one of the first states to allow these high school graduates to pay in-state tuition. And the result has been tremendous -- these DREAMers have excelled. They study hard, work hard, and contribute significantly to our society. Thousands have pursued their academic dreams and have entered our Texas workforce bolstering our economy. Without DREAMers our country would lose about $280 billion over a ten year period.

DREAMers live in our communities, they work with us in the Texas Legislature, they teach our children in classrooms, they provide healthcare in our hospitals, and most importantly, they are our family and friends.

We have made a significant educational investment in these students and they have not let us down. We cannot now let them down. Congress must act to provide a pathway for them to stay in our country. Legislators must put people over politics and craft a compassionate solution. I stand with these DREAMers and their families and offer support in this time of uncertainty."

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