Geopolitics
Governance/Geopolitics
Is Trump giving up on the undocumented young people deal?

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 16 Jan 2018, 06:40 am Print

Is Trump giving up on the undocumented young people deal?

Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that without trust, he'll not be able to finalise the DACA deal, which has prompted commentators to think if he's giving up on 2012 program that was formed through executive order by former President Barack Obama, giving legal protection to minors who came to the US illegally, from immediate deportation.

"Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting," his post on Twitter read. "Deals can’t get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military."

DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program that gives legal protection to the young immigrants, who are known as 'Dreamers'. Dreamers were able to request “consideration of deferred action” for a period of two years, which is subject to renewal.

Nearly 800,000 undocumented youth benefit from the programme.

Requirement for DACA status:

  • Aged under 31 on June 15, 2012
  • Came to the U.S. before turning 16
  • Continuously lived in the country since June 15, 2007
  • Have a high school diploma
  • Recipients could not have a criminal record

Dick Durbin, a Democrat Senator, was the first to condemn Trump for his racial rant during a White House Meeting last week.

According to the lawmaker, the US President used the term 'shithole' while referring to immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African nations.

Trump has however pleaded not guilty. Asked if his comments were racists, he told reporters on Sunday that he's the least racist person they are likely to have interviewed.

Durbin has stood by his claim. "I know what happened. I stand behind every word that I said," he told reporters on Monday.

"In terms of that meeting, I'm focused on one thing — not that meeting — but on making sure that those who are being protected by DACA ... have a future in America. I'm focused on that full time."

Earlier, he had accused the President of using hate-filled, vile and racist language.