[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

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                               speech of

                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2217) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. CLARKE. Madam Chair, I rise today disappointed in last week's 
adoption of the Steve King Amendment to H.R. 2217, the Department of 
Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014. This amendment would bar 
implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival, DACA, for 
DREAMers, prevent them from acquiring work permits, and eliminate the 
exercise of discretion to protect victims of trafficking and crime 
victims.
  Prosecutorial discretion and deferred action are done on a case-by-
case basis and do not provide relief or legal status en masse. Instead, 
these practices ensure fair and just outcomes, and prompt law 
enforcement officials to closely consider compelling circumstances such 
as disability, age, or military service.
  This blatant attempt to undermine the Presidents' action to address 
certain aspects of our broken immigration system and to restrict 
certain benefits of deferred action shocks the conscience. There are 
thousands of young Americans without legal status who want to attend 
school, find jobs, and start families--to participate in the American 
Dream.
  The promise of deferred action and work authorization was affirmed by 
millions of Americans in November 2012. If we break this promise, we 
will have failed in our duty to a nation of immigrants from every part 
of world.
  As the only New York City Member of Congress on the House Homeland 
Security Committee, I understand the need to fund programs that keep us 
safe against the threat of both physical and cyber attacks. However, to 
hold DACA recipients hostage for politics is unconscionable. I 
represent one of the largest immigrant districts in the country, with 
many who are currently benefitting from DACA; I could not and did not 
support the King Amendment, nor did I vote for the underlying bill.

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