Politics & Government

Congresswoman Clarke Responds to New Obama Immigration Policy

Clarke commended Obama for announcing his administration will stop deportations of qualified undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.


Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, D-Brooklyn, responded Friday in a statement to President Barack Obama's announcement that his administration will stop deportations of qualified undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

She commended Obama and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano for the announcement. "DHS will also grant work permits to those qualified DREAM Act kids who qualify under the DREAM act and have remained in the country," she continued.

"The inability to work has plagued this group of youth and young adults for years, as many were and continue to be educated by our schools but cannot contribute to our government from which they’ve benefitted," Clarke said. "These kids want to attend school and find jobs – pursue the American Dream."


She noted that this policy constitutes an important start to fixing an immigration system that doesn’t work. "[The change in policy] will assist thousands of people in my district whose families include citizens and legal residents, documented and undocumented immigrants," Clarke said. 

Clarke added that while this is a great step forward, leaders need to allow children a clear pathway to citizenship. "For this reason, we need to pass the DREAM Act now," she said. "I call on opponents in the Congress, mainly the Tea Party Majority in the House, to put these political games aside and do what is right for the American people."


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