American ‘dreamers’ can cling unto some respite as thousands took to the streets and many more took to social media to defend DACA.
Chronicle.ng had earlier reported that United States President Donald Trump has decided to scrap Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a programme that protects young undocumented immigrants.
But Americans are not giving in without a fight. Many have taken to social media to defend DACA.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is among the notable names that have called on Americans to fight to save DACA.
On Twitter she wrote, “No time to waste – we’ve got to fight with everything we’ve got to #DefendDACA. Thanks, @jorgeramosnews, for sharing these powerful stories.”
Joined by hundreds of thousands of people, Clinton believes that they can pressure Trump into rethinking his decision to scrap DACA.
On Twitter, a video of DACA beneficiaries was posted by @vtiredlesbian with this caption. “This is important please SPEAK UP on these issues. Please. Don’t ignore this just because it’s not happening to you. #DefendDACA”
This is important please SPEAK UP on these issues. Please. Don’t ignore this just because it’s not happening to you. #DefendDACA pic.twitter.com/t53t2ayNTw
— t.x | #DefendDACA (@vtiredlesbian) September 4, 2017
Daisy Marquez, a beneficiary of DACA also had some words. “DACA is what’s keeping me in the u.s currently while my citizenship is getting approved so please spread awareness on #DefendDACA,” she wrote on Twitter.
Here are others tweets of American who are calling for DACA to stay.
The US president is really out here trying to ruin children’s lives when they have no say in the matter #DefendDACA
— kookadooks 🍑 HER 1M (@MochiManggae) September 4, 2017
DREAMers are: students, teachers, doctors, small-business professionals & more. They are integral to our communities & economies #DefendDACA
— rebecca (@pjmstarlight) September 4, 2017
To the people who are supporting us, I’m so grateful that there a actual compassionate human beings on earth #DefendDACA
— JiminAny #DefendDACA (@orlany_avilez) September 4, 2017
Use your platform to spread awareness, your voice could make a difference and help those in need. #DefendDACA
— unbleached kpop (@unbleachedkpop) September 4, 2017
DACA is still in effect. And we need to keep fighting for it. #DefendDACA #HereToStay
— ACLU National (@ACLU) September 4, 2017
I don’t know how someone can sleep at night KNOWING they are doing this #defendDACA READ PLEASE pic.twitter.com/fxYY5XayrA
— JiminAny #DefendDACA (@orlany_avilez) September 4, 2017
Some whites also showed their support and called on others to voice their concern on DACA.
white people don’t you dare to stay mute on this, we are the most privileged ones and we should use our privilege to help #DefendDACA
— ً#DefendDACA (@yutaecuIt) September 4, 2017
If you are white like me and have wondered how you can fight back against racism, this is a perfect moment. Call Congress. NOW.#DefendDACA
— Charles Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) September 4, 2017
According to reports, President Trump will give Congress six months to draw up legislation to replace DACA.
The decision, first reported in Politico, is considered a compromise amid strong support for the scheme.
However, the sources cautioned that Mr Trump could still change his mind.
What is DACA?
The DACA programme protects roughly 750,000 people in the US from deportation and provides temporary permits for work and study.
In order to qualify for DACA, applicants under the age of 30 submit personal information to the Department of Homeland Security.
They must go through an FBI background check and have a clean criminal background, and either be in school, recently graduated or have been honourably discharged from the military.
In exchange, the US government agrees to “defer” any action on their immigration status for a period of two years.
The majority of so-called Dreamer immigrants in the US are from Mexico and other Latin American countries.
