U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has told federal lawmakers that the personal information provided by hundreds of thousands of young immigrants in applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program should not be used to deport them except in extreme circumstances.
In a letter the outgoing Homeland chief said when the young immigrants applied for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — the Obama-era initiative that deferred deportations and granted work permits for those who came here illegally as a child — they were entitled to key protections. In particular, Johnson stressed that the Dreamers who applied for DACA did so knowing that their personal information — such as addresses and telephone numbers — would not be used against them for deportation purposes, unless there were national security concerns or other similar reasons.
“We believe these representations made by the U.S. government, upon with DACA applicants most assuredly relied, must continue to be honored,” Johnson wrote in the letter, dated Dec. 30, to Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and more than 100 House Democrats wrote to President Barack Obama earlier in December, urging him to shield the names and personal information of DACA recipients.
[contentblock id=1 img=html.png]