Disney CEO Bob Iger calls Trump's DACA shutdown 'cruel and misguided'
David McNew/Reuters
Disney CEO Bob Iger released a statement on Tuesday condemning the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.
"The Dreamers impacted by this cruel and misguided decision make significant contributions to our economy and our country," Iger said in a statement.
“I urge Congress to take immediate bipartisan action to pass legislation that will protect these innocent people,” Iger added.
DACA, an Obama-era policy, prevented the deportation of around 800,000 young immigrants living in the country illegally after being brought to the US as minors.
President Trump said in a statement on Tuesday that the action was taken in order to prompt a permanent legislative solution to the issue.
"There can be no path to principled immigration reform if the executive branch is able to rewrite or nullify federal laws at will," Trump said, adding, "It is now time for Congress to act!"
Many congressional Democrats have also condemned the action, labeling it "heartless" and "shameful."
Iger has a history of disagreeing with Trump's policies. In June, the Disney CEO resigned from Trump's business advisory council over the president's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate agreement.
"Protecting our planet and driving economic growth are critical to our future, and they aren't mutually exclusive," Iger said. "I deeply disagree with the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and, as a matter of principle, I've resigned from the president's advisory council."
Michelle Mark contributed reporting to this article.
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