Political Quotes

“I would like to take a few minutes to shift gears to another issue of great importance. This issue is more hopeful. On June 15, 2012, President Obama enacted DACA--or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals--granting deferred action to DREAMers all across the country. Three years later, almost 700,000 hard-working young people are proof that deferred action works. DACA has changed the lives of countless students who were brought to our country as undocumented children through no fault of their own. The President's action has been truly transformative for many young people in Hawaii. Let me tell you about three such young people. Gabriela emigrated from Brazil with her family at the age of 15. Despite a 3.8 GPA in high school, she found herself unable to go to college because she lacked required documentation. After receiving DACA, Gabriela enrolled in a community college, paying instate tuition, and is receiving her associate's degree in the spring of 2015 and transferring to the University of Hawaii to earn her bachelor's degree. Receiving DACA was a life-changing moment for Gabriela because it enabled her to do everyday things that she was never able to do before, such as getting a driver's license, opening a bank account, renting her own apartment. It also enabled her to get an education, start a career, and live up to her full potential. Sam was born in Tonga and brought to Hawaii when he was only 4 years old.…”