Trump Scolds Republicans Over DACA: ‘It’s Not Dreamers. Don’t Fall Into That Trap’
‘It’s Just Much Different Than That’
President Donald Trump scolded Republican lawmakers over DACA Thursday afternoon, literally shaking his finger at them and warning them to not call DACA recipients “Dreamers.”
“Nearly seven in 10 Americans support an immigration reform package that includes a permanent solution on DACA,” Trump told Republicans at a retreat in West Virginia. “I’ve been hearing about DACA for so many years. Some people call it ‘Dreamers.’ It’s not Dreamers. Don’t fall into that trap,” the president chastised.Â
“It’s just much different than that,” Trump insisted.
“And I said the other night,” at the State of the Union, “we have dreamers too, we have dreamers in this country too,” as if Dreamers are not dreamers, and are not part of America.Â
President Trump on the chances of passing DACA protections:
“It’s not dreamers. Don’t fall into that trap. It’s much different than Dreamers.” pic.twitter.com/D9HwCgY7Hs
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 1, 2018
“We can’t forget our dreamers – I have a lot of dreamers here,” he continued, reinforcing an apparent belief he has no responsibility to Dreamers.
“But DACA, we want to take care of DACA,” Trump concluded – again not speaking about the people but about the politics – before launching an attack on Democrats.
DACA recipients are called “Dreamers” because of the DREAM act, which Democrats have been trying to pass since 2001. The DREAM Act stands for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act.
Ironically, it was a bipartisan bill first introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).
Minutes earlier Trump praised Senator Hatch, claiming the retiring Republican had told him he was a better president that Washington and Lincoln. Hatch had said “could be.”
Â
Â
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.