McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from over
500 business leaders in support of DACA who oppose what the President
did yesterday and who are upset at Congress for its inaction. Open Letter From Leaders of American Industry on DACA
August 31, 2017
To: President Donald J Trump
To: Speaker Paul Ryan; Leader Nancy Pelosi; Leader Mitch
McConnell; and Leader Charles E. Schumer
As entrepreneurs and business leaders, we are concerned
about new developments in immigration policy that threaten
the future of young undocumented immigrants brought to
America as children. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program,
which allows nearly 800,000 Dreamers the basic opportunity to
work and study without the threat of deportation, is in
jeopardy. All DACA recipients grew up in America, registered
with our government, submitted to extensive background
checks, and are diligently giving back to our communities and
paying income taxes. More than 97 percent are in school or in
the workforce, 5 percent started their own business, 65
percent have purchased a vehicle, and 16 percent have
purchased their first home. At least 72 percent of the top 25
Fortune 500 companies count DACA recipients among their
employees. 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. We call on President Trump to preserve the DACA program. We
call on Congress to pass the bipartisan DREAM Act or
legislation that provides these young people raised in our
country the permanent solution they deserve.
Keywords matched
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