Congressman Smith (WA-09 ) made the following statement on the decision by the Obama Administration to protect DREAM-eligible youth from deportation:
"The President's announcement today provides relief for undocumented individuals and is a significant step in ensuring we apply our immigration laws fairly. Often, these children were brought here through no choice of their own. Now, as young adults, they pose no threat to our national security or public safety, and deserve a chance to continue contributing to society and to work at achieving their American dream.
"I commend the President for his action today, but the deferred relief extended to these young adults is only temporary. I urge my colleagues in Congress to pass the DREAM Act into law and move forward with comprehensive immigration reform to ensure we provide a suitable path to citizenship and equal opportunity for those who have only known this country as their home."
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