On Monday, the Senate voted 81-18 to reopen the government without providing a resolution to protect Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, the Washington Post reports.
Thirty-three Democrats, who had previously vowed to stand with young immigrants, joined Republicans to provide the 60 votes needed to advance the bill, trusting in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that the Senate would soon make headway on an immigration bill. Dreamers, however, were not as confident, in McConnel or in the political party that had long purported to be on their side.
Amid tears and anger, Latinas took to Twitter to voice their disappointment and rage against Democrats as well as their determination to keep on fighting. Here’s what they had to say:
Many were heartbroken that the party they had always supported threw their community to the wolves.
Once again @TheDemocrats looked at 11 million people in the eye, told them they recognized their humanity and stood by them and once again they told them they weren’t worth fighting for after all, to shut up and go back in the shadows.
— Gabriela Domenzain (@GabiDomenzain) January 22, 2018
I am a Democrat. I vote in elections. I volunteer for candidates. I donate to candidates. And today, Democrats went against the will of millions of us by voting to deport Dreamers.
— Jess (@JessLivMo) January 22, 2018
Others were furious, shaming Democrats for being weak and ineffectual.
Whatever #Dems , I hope your spineless caving was worth selling out mi gente for. #NoDreamNoDeal #CleanDreamAct
— Sarah Amato White (@ereditaaa) January 23, 2018
still trying to figure out how democrat senators can stand up straight without a spine… #NoDreamNoDeal
— Lali ??♀️ (@lalislexicon) January 22, 2018
Shame on @SenSchumer you do not deserve to represent the people of NY state anymore. You once again sold out the Dreamers, put them in harms way, and basically endorse the gestapo like tactics of TRUMP/ICE in our communities. You need to be voted out of office. #NoDreamNoDeal
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) January 22, 2018
Several even declared war.
We have no other choice, but to raise hell before Feb. 8th. We are coming after you Democrats. You will not keep using us for your elections if you don't pass the Dream Act in the Spending bill.
— Erika Andiola – #NoDreamNoDeal (@ErikaAndiola) January 22, 2018
Beyond words. How could @TheDemocrats give in to Trump & Miller's racism. #Latinx are the future is Texas and we will not forget. https://t.co/Q8P0XpbsTb
— #DreamActNow (@TaniaMejiaE) January 22, 2018
Some are vowing to vote those Democrats who helped pass the bill out of office.
If you're not on this list, good luck on a 2020 run. You will feel the wrath of the Dream Democrats if you try. #TrumpShutdown https://t.co/MMpcFq2Bn6
— Jess (@JessLivMo) January 22, 2018
It's not enough to simply replace Republicans with Democrats — we must also replace these weak, corporate backed, sellout Democrats with real progressive leaders. #TrumpShutdown #CleanDreamAct
— Catalina Velasquez (@ConsultCatalina) January 23, 2018
I will remember the names that voted against my community, against me and most importantly against my brother!
I am tired of your empty promises, but I'm also outraged and you will see it because I will show you! We will not stop until we get a #DreamActNow
— Ambar Pinto (@pintoambar) January 22, 2018
And others are even announcing they’ll be leaving the party entirely.
I'm leaving the Democratic Party today.
They're complicit w/ every single young person living in fear. Every pain Latino & immigrant families feel from here out is 100% due to @TheDemocrats not fully embracing us as American. Implicit racism is equally as harmful. I'm done. pic.twitter.com/4mrNaz6rO6
— Alida Garcia (@leedsgarcia) January 22, 2018
If @TheDemocrats can't stand up to Trump, they won't to stand up to anyone in the Republican party or even within their own. They've proven time and time again that we don't matter to them.
— Michelle Pantoja (@michelle4p) January 22, 2018
Unlike the 33 Democrats who voted for the bill despite claiming they supporter Dreamers, these aren’t empty promises. DACA recipients have already started protesting the resolution, temporarily blocking the entrance to Disneyland and demonstrating in Washington, D.C.
They are mad as hell, and they will fight back — because their lives, futures and dreams literally depend on it.
READ: As A DACA Recipient, This Latina Feels As If She Failed Her Family And She Explains Why
