How Minnesota's representatives reacted to Trump's DACA deadline

Reaction is still pouring in after President Donald Trump's administration announced it would end a program providing protection to immigrants brought to the United States as children without prior authorization.

Trump gave Congress six months to work out a fix before his administration cancels the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known more widely as DACA. Trump said later Tuesday that he might revisit his decision if Congress deadlocks.

Here is how members of Minnesota's congressional delegation reacted to the DACA plan:

Check out the bottom of this story to see reactions from other Minnesotans.

"DREAMers were brought here as children and only know the United States as their home — they serve in our military, pay taxes, and contribute to communities across the country. The vast majority of these young people — more than 97 percent — are in school or the workforce. And one recent study found that 72 percent of all DACA recipients currently in school are pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher. Ending DACA, which has been in place since 2012, would create tremendous uncertainty and risk deportation for DREAMers across the country. I sent a letter urging the President to keep DACA in place along with 41 other Senators, and I stand ready to work with those on both sides of the aisle to preserve it."

— Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, in a statement on her website.

"The men and women protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — commonly known as DACA — are American in every single way except immigration status. Often called Dreamers, these are students, innovators, and entrepreneurs who were brought here as children and grew up in the United States. They're our friends, coworkers, and neighbors, and they make enormous contributions to the economies of Minnesota and the entire country. The decision by President Trump to end DACA is a disgrace to our moral values and principles. It's not who we are or should be as a nation. Let me be clear: I promise that I will fight to protect the Dreamers who live in Minnesota and across the country."

— Sen. Al Franken, a Democrat, in a press release.

"Today's announcement does not reflect the values of our nation. Let me be clear: these children are Americans. This is their home. Deporting DREAMers, who contribute much to our society, harms our economy and our moral fabric. Congress must act. I call on Speaker Ryan and my Republican colleagues, some of whom have already expressed their support for DACA, to act immediately. This moment requires them to put their country and human decency over politics and I stand ready to work with them."

— 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat, in a written statement.

"Federal law-making authority rests with Congress — not the executive branch. I support returning this power designated by the constitution to Congress. President Obama's executive order skirted Congress' constitutional authority and made DACA untenable in its current form. It's important that we debate comprehensive solutions in the next six months and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to address the final status of DACA enrollees."

— 2nd District Rep. Jason Lewis, a Republican, in a written statement.

"Our broken immigration system needs to be fixed, because it's harming our economy and locking out the next generation of innovators. This includes ensuring that young people who came to the United States through no fault of their own and have done nothing wrong are able to be valuable contributors to our country."

— 3rd District Rep. Erik Paulsen, a Republican, in a written statement.

"President Trump's elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is a cruel betrayal of 800,000 young DREAMers who love this country and call America home. Deporting college students, first responders, and service members who came to America as children is bigoted, callous, and does nothing to make America stronger. House Republican leadership must immediately bring legislation to the House Floor to preserve DACA and protect DREAMers from deportation. House Democrats are united and we will fight to protect DREAMers and the best of American values they represent."

— 4th District Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat, from her website.

"President Trump abandoned the Dreamers today, but Congress must not. I urge Congress to immediately support a long-term solution for participants of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. I also call on the Trump administration to forego all enforcement action against Dreamers. President Trump's decision to terminate the DACA program is a devastating betrayal of the hundreds of thousands of youth who placed their trust in our government. For the past five years, DACA has provided a pathway to hope and prosperity for nearly 800,000 young people across our nation, including almost 6,300 youth in Minnesota. DACA recipients make up the very fabric of our communities — as parents, students, veterans, law clerks, teachers, and more — and have lived almost their entire lives as Americans. The President's decision will damage their futures and tear families apart. It is cruel and un-American. Nearly 80% of the general public supports permanent legal status for Dreamers. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for DACA youth, the President is catering to people who are extremist and prejudiced. President Trump cannot separate his decision to coddle the neo-Nazis and the KKK in Charlottesville from his cruel decision to slam the door in the face of Dreamers. It's what he means when he says 'Make America Great Again.' Taken as a whole, his presidency represents a step backwards to the bad old days before `liberty and justice for all' was a commonly accepted idea. To our neighbors who are part of DACA: no matter what extremists say, you're a part of our American family. If you're here, you deserve to live your life without fear and prejudice. Every American has a moral imperative to fight back against extremism, xenophobia, and racism. We must stand strong with all immigrant families, through DACA and beyond, and keep fighting for an immigration system that is fair and inclusive to all."

— 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat, in a written statement.

"This is an immensely complex issue and I fully support the opportunity for our nation's lawmakers to gather public input, hold committee hearings, and ultimately determine how best to reform our country's immigration system moving forward."

— 6th District Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican, said in a statement.

"Inaction on immigration policy has led to system that is unacceptable legally and morally. The decision by the President to end the DACA program only makes it worse. Changes to our immigration system need to be focused on solving problems, and should not target those who were brought to the U.S. as children, raised as Americans and who are studying and working legally in our country."

— 7th District Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat, in a written statement.

"With respect to the Dreamers, the president's decision to begin deportation proceedings is mean spirited, tearing families apart, and not in the interests or the spirit of our Nation. Congress must now act on a bipartisan basis to pass legislation giving these young people the opportunity to stay in America, earn their citizenship, and use their talents to move our Nation forward."

— 8th District Rep. Rick Nolan, a Democrat, on his Facebook page.