May 19, 2015

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s First District spoke on the House Floor to mark the day the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was scheduled to begin accepting Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) applications. Implementation of the program was put on hold after a federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary injunction against DAPA.  Below are her remarks: 

“Today, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services was supposed to begin accepting Deferred Action for Parental Accountability or DAPA applications. 

“It was to be a day of hope, not disappointment, for millions of families across the country. But because of a politically motivated decision by a Texas judge, implementation has been halted. Now 17,000 hardworking men and women in Clark County, Nevada, must wait for relief in fear of being torn from their families. 

“Nevada is the state with the largest share of undocumented immigrants in its total population – 210,000 people or 7.6% and that’s equal to 10.2% of our work force. They are our colleagues, our neighbors, our classmates, and our friends - and they play a vital role in the success of our community.  

“Congress needs to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform so families across the country and in Nevada can come out of the shadows, legally work and go to school, and contribute to the only community they call home. 

“I yield back.”