In the wake of President Trump's announcement Tuesday that the administration will be scaling back President Obama's DACA program, Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer threw down a gauntlet in defense of the amnesty program, declaring, “If a clean Dream Act does not come to the floor in September, we’re prepared to attach it to other items this fall until it passes.”
Schumer and other Senate and House Democrats spoke at a press conference on Wednesday “to urge Congressional Republicans to stand up to President Trump’s heartbreaking, cruel decision to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative by bringing the DREAM Act for a vote on the House and Senate floor.”
Here's what he said:
They [DREAMers] may have known no other country but ours, and have voluntarily registered themselves with the government in order to live, work and give back to our great country. They represent no threat to the country. In fact, in so many ways, the dreamers represent the best of our country.
Oh, but Schumer wasn't done.
“Now, I’m glad that some Republicans in Congress have voiced their opposition to the president’s decision, 'cause we’re going to need them to right the ship,” Schumer said. “Congress has an ability and obligation to act. Which is why, we today, are calling on Speaker Ryan and Leader McConnell to immediately put the Dream Act on the floor for a vote in the House and Senate.”
Trump himself said that Congress has six months to determine whether or not to legalize DACA.
Interestingly, Schumer was singing a different tune about illegal immigration back in 2009.
“First, illegal immigration is wrong, and a primary goal of comprehensive immigration reform must be to dramatically curtail future illegal immigration," Schumer said at the 6th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference.
Schumer is a prime example of political convenience, changing his opinion by the day in order to pander to his constituency.
For video of Schumer's comments, now and then, watch below: