Phoenix mayor donates $10K to cover DACA application fees

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton announced Tuesday that he would donate $10,000 from campaign funds to pay for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals renewal applications.

“Donald Trump’s unfortunate, spiteful decision to end the DACA program has put Dreamers here in Phoenix in a terrible position,” he said during a press conference.

“These inspiring young women and men, entrepreneurs and leaders … want to contribute to the only home they know here in Phoenix, here in Arizona, here in the United States of America.”

Stanton’s donation will cover the $495 application fee for about 20 DACA-eligible people.

“It is the least I can do in my position as mayor,” he said.

He announced the donation alongside leaders from Mi Familia Vota, a local immigrant rights group, that has been filling out DACA applications at no charge.

Eligible renewal applicants must submit their paperwork by Oct. 5.

“I, as mayor, stand with you and will fight any attempt by this presidential administration to separate our community from their families and their home,” Stanton said.

The mayor called Trump’s decision “cruel” in the days after it was announced DACA would be rescinded.

“Dreamers make Phoenix and our country stronger,” he said. “Their fight is our fight. They are being used as political pawns by Donald Trump. That’s just wrong.”

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