On the 12th anniversary of the program that protected 530,000 young adults from deportation in CHIRLA they call for civic action before a ruling is issued on their future and urge President Biden to permanently extend security
By Jose Luis Macias | La Opinion | June 16, 2024 | Photo Courtesy of Jose Luis Macias | Translated by Google Translate
In the celebration of the 12th. anniversary of the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, dozens of immigrants and leaders connected to the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) urged President Joe Biden's administration to establish permanent protections for hundreds of thousands of program beneficiaries.
During a demonstration of struggle to defend the thousands of DACA beneficiaries that took place at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College, dozens of protesters shouted: “Biden listen, DACA is our fight!”, “What do we want? Citizenship! When? Now!".
They marched around a bus where they summarized their message: “President Biden: DACA is part of your legacy. You made a promise. Expand and strengthen protections for immigrants, now! (“President Biden: DACA is part of your legacy. You made a promise. Expand and strengthen protections for immigrants, now!
A dark panorama in the court
Between now and before the November general election, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit could rule on the legality of DACA, the directive implemented with former President Barack Obama's executive action on June 15, 2012.
“DACA is in danger… Right now it is in the courts and anything can happen,” acknowledged Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA.
Thanks to DACA, at least 530,000 young adults who were brought to the United States by their parents as children were able to study, obtain a work permit and avoid deportation.
However, in September 2023, Judge Andrew Hanen, a Republican federal district court judge in Texas ruled that the DACA program violates United States immigration laws.
The ruling by the judge - who was appointed in 2002 by former President George W. Bush - was announced on the basis of a lawsuit filed by the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia v. DACA, in June 2018.
“Our lawsuit is about the rule of law, not the wisdom of any particular immigration policy,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has argued. “Texas has disagreed for years that the federal executive branch lacks the power to unilaterally grant lawful presence and work authorization to illegally present aliens.”
The danger called Trump
Although it is unknown when Judge Hanen would issue his ruling, immigrant advocates foresee a dark outlook for families, especially if Donald Trump is elected president on November 5.
“Donald Trump wants the Presidency of this country and he would end DACA,” predicted Angelica Salas. “He would deport millions of people [residing] in this country and make our lives worse than they are right now.”
For the executive director of CHIRLA, it is clear that a Trump presidency “would make our lives one of living in fear.”
The demonstration at the LA Trade-Tech College was part of a national week of action by all groups affiliated with The Home Is Here Coalition, of which CHIRLA and 19 other organizations in the country are a part, which urgently ask the President Biden to fulfill his promise to protect immigrants, to protect his legacy and to take affirmative steps to prevent thousands of DACA recipients and their families from losing their status and, in the worst case, being in danger of deportation – if for Judge Hanen to rule against the program.
A call to defend DACA
“We constantly have to demand measures that protect our families permanently,” declared Jorge Mario Cabrera, spokesperson for CHIRLA. “Therefore, we need to take the lead again, return to civic action, and if necessary to public activities, at the national level, in case the DACA ruling could be negative.”
After the protest at LA Trade-Tech College, protesters attended an informational and refresher workshop on the Federal Registry campaign, a provision of immigration law that allows certain noncitizens who are long-term residents in the United States, but who are undocumented or present in the country under some type of temporary immigration status, “register” to obtain Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status.
To qualify, individuals must have entered the country on or before a specific date (known as the “registration date”) and must demonstrate good moral character and continuous residence since entry.
After its creation in 1929, Congress moved up the registration date four times, most recently in 1986, when it was set to January 1, 1972, meaning only noncitizens who entered the United States before that date are eligible to apply for the LPR. status through registration. This date is already so far away that few people are eligible. However, Congress has the power to move up the registration date again at any time, potentially allowing millions of noncitizens to become LPRs and ultimately U.S. citizens.
A goal that is not impossible to achieve
Lizeth Gallegos-Morán, 22, a DACA student since 2016, told La Opinión that, despite any obstacles that come her way, she will study a career in aerospace engineering.
The girl, a resident of Canoga Park, in the San Fernando Valley, along with her parents, Gabriel Gallegos and Carolina Morán, both born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, were participants in the CHIRLA protest and the workshops where they outlined the steps to follow in the defense of DACA.
“My goal is to work at a private company like Boeing or some private company where there is no security clearance requirement,” said Lizbeth, who is already enrolled at Pomona City College.
“We come to this country to give our children a better life and education,” said Gabriel Gallegos, a construction worker, who emigrated to the United States 19 years ago.
Promise of immigration adjustment
On Tuesday, the Biden Administration plans to offer legal immigration status to undocumented immigrants who have lived for more than 10 years in the United States.
The proposal called “Parole in Place” (PIP) would eliminate obstacles that prevent those who entered the United States illegally from obtaining green cards without leaving the country.
The action aims to protect spouses of American citizens from deportation and allow them to work legally. Eventually, it could provide them with a path to citizenship.
“That is important, but from words to actions, there is a long way to go,” said Angélica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA. “We have to make sure that it is true and that there is no delay in certain commitments that [President Biden] has made.”
The measure could benefit approximately 1,100,000 immigrants who illegally married a US citizen, according to data from the organization FWD.us., an immigration reform and social justice advocacy organization.
“For these people it is a solution because these people already have access to a legal avenue because they are married to American citizens,” Salas said.
