A petition online at WithDreamers.com is collecting the names of state and local elected officials, community leaders and faith leaders to urge the federal government to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — or at least something like it — so the 800,000 people brought to the United States as children will not face deportation to countries they may not even remember.
The petition comes as President Donald Trump is widely expected to announce Tuesday that DACA will end in six months.
“We, the undersigned governors, statewide constitutional officers, mayors, state legislators, local elected officials, law enforcement professionals, and faith and civic leaders are united in declaring that we are with Dreamers and DACA recipients,” the petition reads. “We recognize their enormous role in our communities and families and their contributions to our schools, workplaces, and shared prosperity as a nation … As the leaders of communities across the country—individuals and institutions that have seen these young people grow up in our communities—we recognize how they have enriched and strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations, and families. We believe it is a moral imperative that the administration and the country know we are with them. We also join together to send our assurances to Dreamers: we see you, we value you, and we are ready to defend you.”
The petition has already gathered hundreds of names, only 38 of which represent Wisconsin. Among those from Wisconsin are Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
The petition website also includes links to a number of other letters in support of DACA and Dreamers.