DHS Secretary: DACA Recipients Will Not Be ‘A Priority of Enforcement for ICE’ If Program Ends

During an interview broadcast on Tuesday’s “CBS This Morning,” DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen stated that if Congress can’t strike a deal on DACA, DACA recipients who are registered and haven’t committed a crime will not be an enforcement priority for ICE.

Nielsen said that if a DACA deal is not struck, “It’s not going to be a priority of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prioritize their removal. I’ve said that before. That’s not the policy of DHS.”

She added, “If you are a DACA [recipient] that’s compliant with your registration, meaning you haven’t committed a crime, you in fact are registered, you’re not a priority of enforcement for ICE should the program end.”

Nielsen further added that this policy would be “in perpetuity. But of course, that means you can’t commit a crime. And we will enforce the law.”

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett

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