DACA: CEO on Trump's diversity council resigns after President scraps immigration amnesty

The head of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has resigned from a group that advises Donald Trump on diversity following the announcement he was scrapping a plan that has allowed up to 800,000 young people remain in the US.

Mr Trump’s Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, said the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme was being terminated - with a six-month window to allow congress to consider an alternative.

“The programme known as DACA that was effectuated under the Obama administration is being rescinded,” said Mr Sessions. “The executive branch through DACA deliberately sought to achieve what the legislative branch specifically refused to authorise on multiple occasions.”

The announcement sparked widespread outcry. Across the country there were reports that students were walking out of schools and colleges in protest.

Also among those to voice their dismay was Javier Palomarez, the head of the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). He announced he was leaving the President’s National Diversity Council in protest over the administration’s move.

“This disgraceful action goes against not only the values of this country, but also against the promise of this administration to focus homeland security resources towards individuals who have committed violent crimes and pose a threat to communities across the country,” he said in a statement.

“Moreover, rescinding the work permits of almost 800,000 people and forcing them into the shadows is reckless economic policy. Ending the DACA programme will increase the undocumented population in the US and cost the country $280bn in lost economic growth over the next decade, according to a recent study by the CATO Institute.”

Mr Palomarez and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton over Mr Trump in last year's election. But since the New Yorker’s victory, Mr Palomarez has sought to work with the White House on several policy issues and agreed to be a member of his diversity council.

“I tried to work as hard as I could with this administration on this issue and I continue to want to work with them on other issues, like tax reform, like health care reform, and so many other important things,” he told CNN.

“But I really don't see the logic in doing what we're doing right now.”