MEXICO CITY, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- "Mexico's government deeply regrets the cancellation of DACA" by the Donald Trump administration, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) said in a statement Tuesday.
The statement said it will potentially affect "thousands of youth born in Mexico."
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was instituted by former U.S. president Barack Obama in 2012, and benefits about 800,000 young immigrants called "Dreamers," who had been taken to the U.S. as children.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the U.S. administration would rescind the DACA program with a six-month delay.
Mexico's government on Tuesday said it is going to lobby the U.S. Congress over the White House's decision to abolish DACA that granted temporary work permits and other rights to young undocumented Mexicans.
Mexico's government "has sent letters to senators and congressional members, expounding the value of DACA youth to U.S. society and urging them to quickly find a permanent solution that provides them with legal certainty," the SRE said.
"The Mexican government will maintain permanent dialogue with the (U.S.) legislative branch in support of said solution," the SRE added.
At the same time, Mexico is preparing for a possible influx of former DACA beneficiaries, according to the SRE by setting up a "special job bank in Mexico for Dreamers," a scholarship program so they can continue their studies in Mexico or other countries, a fast-track method of accrediting their U.S. studies, and a credit program.
Trump's plan to end the young immigrants protection program has already reignited hot debate over U.S. immigration reform.
