September 5, 2017

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Paul Ryan
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Minority Leader
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Mr. Speaker, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader Pelosi:

I am writing to urge you to place the highest priority on legislation that would provide both immediate and long-term protection for young people who have been enrolled in or are eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  President Trump’s decision today—and the uncertainty surrounding this program for the last nine months—have left hundreds of thousands of students filled with anxiety and in a state of understandable distress.  I am heartened by the many bipartisan expressions of Congressional support for these young people and this program, particularly in recent days, and I hope that this outpouring will be translated into expeditious action.

Allowing the repeal of DACA to go forward would be a tragic mistake.  DACA is a wise and humane policy that has benefited this country in multiple ways.  It has allowed talented and motivated students, who came to this country as a result of decisions by their parents, to pursue their educations, develop their talents, and contribute positively to our communities and our country.  These young people deserve the opportunity not only to remain in this country, which for many is the only home they have known, but to be reassured that their devotion to this country is welcomed and valued.

It is within the power of Congress to give these young people the protections and peace of mind that DACA provided, and going beyond that, a path to permanent residence and citizenship.  I strongly believe that such an action would be in the national interest, in addition to being very much the right thing to do.  I hope Congress will take this action, and will take it quickly.

Sincerely,
Christopher L. Eisgruber

cc:       The Honorable Robert Menendez
            The Honorable Cory Booker
            The Honorable Donald Norcross
            The Honorable Frank A. LoBiondo
            The Honorable Tom MacArthur
            The Honorable Christopher H. Smith
            The Honorable Josh Gottheimer
            The Honorable Frank Pallone, Jr.
            The Honorable Leonard Lance *82
            The Honorable Albio Sires
            The Honorable Bill Pascrell
            The Honorable Donald M. Payne, Jr.
            The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen
            The Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman

The Honorable Ted Cruz ’92
The Honorable Jeff Merkley *82
The Honorable Ken Buck ’81
The Honorable Mike Gallagher ’06
The Honorable Derek Kilmer ’96
The Honorable Raja Krishnamoorthi ’95
The Honorable Jared Polis ’96
The Honorable John Sarbanes ’84
The Honorable Terri A. Sewell ’86