4 THE QUEENS COURIER • SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Queens community sounds off after Trump order to end DACA program
BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
smonteverdi@qns.com / @smont76
Queens leaders are speaking out in the
wake of President Trump’s signal to end a
policy that protects undocumented immigrants
who entered the country as children.
Implemented in 2012, the Obama-era
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) program allowed approximately
800,000 young undocumented immigrants
the ability to work legally in the United
States and remain in the country without
the fear of immediate deportation.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions was
tasked with making the announcement on
Sept. 5 about the president’s decision.
Trump, who called the program an
“amnesty-fi rst approach,” said DACA
will be phased out over the course of six
months. Permits will remain active for “up
to 24 months.”
Queens lawmakers sounded off soon
aft er the announcement. Congresswoman
Nydia Velázquez, who represents areas of
Woodhaven and Ridgewood, called the
decision “a moral aff ront.”
“Th e president previously said that
Dreamers have little reason to worry
because he has a ‘big heart.’ Today’s decision
Image via Facebook/The United States Department of Justice
Attorney General Sessions announced decision
on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) on Sept. 5.
belies that statement and makes clear
the callous and hateful ideology that is
driving this administration’s policies,” she
said in a statement.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman
Joe Crowley said the program has strengthened
New York City’s economy and neighborhoods,
and called Trump’s actions
“both heartless and senseless.”
Councilman and Majority Leader Jimmy
Van Bramer, who represents Long Island
City and Sunnyside areas, said ending
of the program will have “real and tragic
eff ects for hundreds of thousands of good,
hardworking people.”
“In western Queens and New York City,
we must and will protect Dreamers. We
reject this president and will fi ght his policies
rooted in racism, hate and fear,” he
said.
Aft er calling the decision “brutal and
incomprehensible,” state Senator Jose
Peralta, who represents areas of Corona
and Jackson Heights, said “it is time to
help Dreamers, not attack them.”
“President Trump is punishing young
people who came to the United States
by no fault of their own. Let’s not forget
that Dreamers have already been properly
vetted through the system and have
met the rigorous requirements placed on
them, not only to initially qualify but to
renew the program as well. Not only that,
Dreamers are our everyday neighbors and
future doctors, engineers, teachers, architects
that will move this country forward
and build on the foundation of those who
came before them,” he said.
“It is extremely disappointing that
Donald Trump has decided to end the
DACA program, which has provided
peace of mind to nearly 800,000 individuals
who were brought here as children
through no fault of their own,” said
Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, who
represents areas of Whitestone, Bayside
and Little Neck. “Now these young dreamers
will be forced to constantly worry about
deportation and being torn apart from
their families. I call on Congress to immediately
restore DACA to ensure that these
young Americans will be able to remain in
the only country they call home.”
“With his decision to uproot and kick
out Dreamers, this president is once again
demonstrating an utter lack of sympathy
and a failure to uphold American
values,” Queens Congressman Gregory
Meeks said. “I look forward to working
with my Democratic and Republican colleagues
in Congress to pass legislation as
soon as possible to restore those protections
and grant a pathway to citizenship
for Dreamers. It’s now up to Congress to
make clear that America is still a land of
opportunity for all.”
Th e Department of Homeland Security
will immediately stop accepting applications
to the DACA program. If Congress
fails to act, undocumented immigrants
brought previously to the United States as
children could face deportation as early as
March 2018.
Texas National Guard soldiers assist residents in Houston on Aug. 27, 2017. Photos by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS
Back to School in Bayside
BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
smonteverdi@qns.com / @smont76
On Sept. 6, many of the borough’s
young learners returned to school to
embark on a new year of scholarship,
friendship and memories.
Parents and faculty at Our Lady of the
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy
in Bayside gathered at the doors of the
school’s auditorium to catch up aft er a
long summer and wish students good
fortune on their fi rst day back.
Photo by Texas National Guard/Lt. Zachary West
Bayside steps up to provide
Houston hurricane relief
BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI
smonteverdi@qns.com / @smont76
Bayside stands with Houston.
In the wake of what experts are calling
the worst disaster the state has ever seen,
Texas will soon receive a helping hand
from the Queens community. Organized
by local leaders, the following Bayside
locations will serve as drop-off points
during their hours of operation:
FDNY Engine 306, 40-18 214th Pl.
One Station Plaza, 213-10 41st Ave.
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
Catholic Academy, 34-45 202 St.
Th e Bell Club, 43-23 Bell Blvd.
Councilman Vallone’s offi ce, 42-40 Bell
Blvd., Suite 507
Assemblyman Braunstein’s offi ce, 213-
33 39th Ave., Suite 238
Donations can be dropped off at these
locations until Friday, Sept. 8. Requested
items include fi rst aid supplies, baby products,
new undergarments, non-perishable
food, fl ashlights and batteries, personal
hygiene and feminine products, cleaning
supplies, clothing, shoes and socks, pet
food, goggles for cleanup and furniture.
Aft er site collections end on Sept. 8,
all donations will be transported to the
Bayside LIRR station on Saturday, Sept.
9. Th e location will also serve as a dropoff
location that day. Supplies will then
be loaded onto a truck for transport to
Houston.
Volunteers are needed and can
reach out via Facebook by searching
BaysideLiveTV.com.
Th e event was organized by various
community leaders and groups,
including Councilman Paul Vallone,
Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, Bob
Reid and the Bayside Little League and
Bayside Live TV.
Students return to school in Bayside.