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Antonio Villaraigosa slams Trump decision to phase out DACA as ‘arguably racist,’ urges Congress to act

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Sept. 5, 2017, 9:50 a.m.

Antonio Villaraigosa slams Trump decision to phase out DACA as ‘arguably racist,’ urges Congress to act

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College on Aug. 29. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaks at at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College on Aug. 29. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

California gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa called President Trump’s decision on Tuesday to phase out the DACA program as “arguably racist” and urged Congress to act to allow young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to continue to live and work in the country legally.

“This is a test of our nation’s true values – a test we simply cannot fail,” the former mayor of Los Angeles said in a statement.

Villaraigosa has been urging supporters to sign an online petition, contact their representatives in Congress and donate to groups that are trying to protect young people who currently have DACA protections, also known as Dreamers.

“Dreamers have learned in our schools and served in our military. They are our neighbors, work in our businesses, and many start the businesses where we work,” Villaraigosa said. “They are a vital part of our communities, and we cannot stand by while they are put at risk of deportation because of a reckless, and arguably racist, decision by Donald Trump.”

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