Right now, Asian American youth from NAKASEC (National Korean American Service & Education Consortium) and other groups are leading a 24-hour, 22-day vigil in front of the White House to call attention to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and defend thousands of immigrant youth who are under threat of deportation if the Trump administration should end the program.
DACA was initiated under President Obama in 2012. The executive order allowed undocumented youth to come forward, undergo a rigorous background check, pay a fee and receive temporary legal status that allows them to have work permits and drivers licenses. Since the program's inception, nearly 800,000 beneficiaries -- including 130,000 Asian Americans -- have been granted permission to live, work and study legally in America.
But now, DACA and the futures of thousands are at risk.
In June, a coalition of ten state attorney generals, led by Texas, threatened legal action if Trump didn't make moves to rescind DACA by September 5. As it stands, DACA is "currently under review," with an update expected any day now. Trump is reportedly leaning towards ending the program.
That's almost 800,000 people who came forward with the government's promise of protection who would now be at risk of deportation. Who would lose their jobs. Who would be forced back into the shadows.
As I write this, NAKASEC is holding down a round-the-clock action in front of the White House since August 15 (the five-year anniversary of DACA's implementation), sending a message to protect DACA and a related program, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which mostly affects immigrants from African countries.
On Thursday morning, leaders from several national AAPI organizations, as well as DACA program beneficiaries, will gather in front of the White House to stand up for DACA. If you're in the DC area, you're invited to attend and lend your support. Here are some more details:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Groups Defend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
WHAT: Leaders from national Asian American and Pacific Islander organizations will gather in support of immigrants to urge President Trump to defend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The president has threatened to end the program, which would put approximately 800,000 young people at risk of losing their ability to get an education, work and contribute to their communities.
WHO:
DACA Beneficiaries
Becky Belcore, Co-Director, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
Quyen Dinh, NCAPA Chair and Executive Director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
Kham Moua, NCAPA Immigration Committee Co-Chair and Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
Alvina Yeh, Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
David Inoue, Executive Director, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
Jason Tengco, Executive Director, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA)
Lakshmi Sridaran, Director of National Policy & Advocacy, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 31, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: In front of the White House
For further information about the action, and how can lend your support, visit the NAKASEC website.
#DreamAction17 #DefendDACA #SaveTPS
