DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after President Trump decided to end the temporary protected status of more than 50,000 Hondurans who have lived in the U.S. since 1999.

“Tearing apart families has become a routine for Donald Trump. With today’s cruel decision, his administration has now ended TPS for more than a quarter of a million people, many of whom have lived in America for decades.

“This time he’s targeting Hondurans, who were driven from their homes by an environmental catastrophe. But this decision doesn’t just devastate thousands of families. It also damages our economy, costing an estimated $31 billion over the next 10 years, according to a recent study.

“Democrats believe that diversity and compassion are our country’s greatest strengths. We believe our nation is at its best when we help those in need. And we will continue to fight for the courageous immigrant families who make our country better every day.”