Dozens gather to protest DACA dismantling
MISHAWAKA, Ind. -
The Trump administration's announcement to dismantle DACA has prompted reaction not only from lawmakers, but citizens in Michiana.
A rally brought several dozen people together outside Congresswoman Jackie Walorski’s office in Mishawaka Wednesday morning.
People from Indivisible Indiana District 2, Northern Indiana Coalition for Immigration Reform and the National Immigrant Justice center made up some of the crowd. The goal was not only to protest ending the DACA program, but also to ask for the congresswoman's support and co-sponsorship of a bill called The Dream Act, a federal proposal offering some of the same protections as DACA that was never passed by Congress.
"We’re just hoping to call attention to the fact that this is an important issue in our community," said Lisa Koop, immigration attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center. "We want Congress to take notice and we want Congress to meaningfully respond and engage in a conversation about ways that we can adjust our laws in order to support these families in our community."
Koop also spoke during the rally saying, "If Congress fails to act, some of the brightest minds with the best ideas will be forced to relocate."
Walorski was not present at the rally, but did release a statement regarding the dismantling of DACA. She said President Obama overstepped his executive authority when he created the DACA program.
“Our immigration system is broken, and we have an opportunity to address this issue, secure our borders, and strengthen enforcement. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the president to find a long-term, commonsense solution,” she said.
This rally posed The Dream Act as a potential long-term solution.
It would allow Congress to not only legislate to give DACA recipients permanent protected status, but also to create a path for them to achieve permanent legal status.
The crowd ended the rally chanting the words "Get to work!" as a call for Congress to find a solution.