As the March 5 deadline for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) quickly approaches, lawmakers have yet to come up with resolution.
This appears to be an issue near and dear to Democrats, but they have yet to make a deal with the Trump administration.
“The Democrats just aren’t calling about DACA. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have to get moving fast, or they’ll disappoint you again,” tweet Trump. “We have a great chance to make a deal or, blame the Dems! March 5th is coming up fast.”
Trump pointed out that the Democrats have only obstructed progress and have refused to make a compromise.
The GOP bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley outlines an immigration plan that would offer 1.8 million “dreamers” a path to citizenship, but in exchange $25 billion would be invested into border security, specifically for the Mexican border wall.
“I am asking all senators, in both parties, to support the Grassley bill and to oppose any legislation that fails to fulfill these four pillars — that includes opposing any short-term ‘Band-Aid’ approach,” said Trump.
But, the Dems have rejected this compromise.
“They Resist, Blame, Complain and Obstruct – and do nothing. Start pushing Nancy Pelosi and the Dems to work out a DACA fix, NOW!” tweeted Trump a few weeks ago.
This week, Trump is applying the pressure yet again.
“Negotiations on DACA have begun. Republicans want to make a deal and Democrats say they want to make a deal. Wouldn’t it be great if we could finally, after so many years, solve the DACA puzzle. This will be our last chance, there will never be another opportunity! March 5th,” tweeted Trump on February 13.
“For months, Congress has been unable to resolve the fate of immigrants protected from deportation under an Obama-era program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. President Donald Trump ended DACA in September, and gave Congress six months to come up with a solution. A federal court mandated the administration continue to accept renewal applications for now,”’ writes Wall Street Journal.
Trump has made it clear he isn’t going to agree to a temporary extension of the DACA, but last month he suggested he would sign whatever bipartisan immigration bill that landed on his desk.
“I think my positions are going to be what the people in this room come up with,” said Trump in a bipartisan meeting with members of Congress. “If they come to me with things I’m not in love with, I’m going to do it. Because I respect them.”
Author’s note: The ball is in the Dems court. The longer they take to move on this, the more it shows they care more about politics than the lives of their constituents. They are being stubborn about the much needed increase in border security and it’s all at the expense of the dreamers, which many Democrats swore to protect.
Editor’s note: Don’t doubt that Trump will play this to the bloody end. The longer the Democrats hold out, the worse they will get pounded by Trump as they leave the DACA people behind.