Speech #1140008409

Republicans would rather tear families apart than provide critical funding for the homeland security infrastructure that was built following 9111. Its clear that Republicans hate DREAMers more than they hate ISIS. The Republicans extreme antiimmigrant amendments would have a chilling effect on the Latino community. instill fear of deportation for victims of domestic and sexual violence. and subject DREAMers. who are peacefully contributing to our economy and community. to deportation and exploitation. These are young men and women who have been living in the U.S. since they were children and came here by no fault of their own. They consider themselves just as much a part of the fabric of their communitiesand this countryas their classmates and peers. Specifically. the Republican amendments would prevent the implementation of President Obamas DACA initiatives. which would enable many unlawfully present young people who came to the United States as children to apply for "deferred action." a temporary relief from removal not permanent immigration statusand work authorization. It would also prevent the implementation of President Obamas DAPA initiative. which would enable the parents of U.S. citizens or green card holders who have lived here for years to apply for deferred action and work authorization as long as they pay fees. have not been convicted of a serious crime. and submit to a background check. It would prevent ICE from using its expertise to set immigration enforcement priorities. to focus on the most serious public safety threats. as it has done for years. It would put domestic violence survivors in danger by taking away their ability to stay in the United States and obtain the help that they need and ensure that the perpetrators of this violence are punished. DACA and DAPA will strengthen community policing. improve community safety. and help more immigrant women come forward sooner to protect their children and themselves from domestic violence. Immigration law already provides abused women an opportunity to apply for protection. Why would we want to potentially curtail these protections from the women and children who need them the most? Specifically. President Obamas Executive Actions on Immigration will improve Californias economy with an $11.7 billion increase in GDP over the next 10 years. by giving California a boost in productivity from up to 1.5 million more people who could pay taxes and contribute to the states economy. This will increase the average wages of U.S. born workers across the country by $170 a year and raise the Nations gross domestic product by up to $90 billion over the next decade by expanding the labor force and giving immigrant workers the flexibility to seek new jobs. Lets come together. We had a really good meeting of the minds in a lovely setting last week. and a lunch.