Young undocumented immigrants and their supporters are speaking out against President Donald Trump's decision to end DACA. As MPB's Desare Frazier reports, they're calling on Congress to pass the Dream Act.
Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance and supporters are outside the McCoy Federal Building in Jackson. They're upset over President Trump's decision to end DACA, The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Twenty-three year old Suzanne Solis is here with her two-year old daughter. Solis' parents brought her from Mexico to Mississippi, when she was seven. The high school grad says her DACA permit expires in December. It allows her to work without fear of deportation. She's applied to renew it, which is still possible for those already enrolled until October 5th.
"People need to know people's stories. We need to contribute to it or they're not going to hear us," said Solis.
Dax Fairchild, a high school teacher in Morton says he's taught a lot of immigrant students. He's here to support them.
"Many of those students have been some of my best students and they've added a lot of value in my classroom and I believe many of our immigrants here add value to our society and our economy," said Fairchild.
Now that DACA may no longer be an option, MIRA's urging people to contact their U.S. representatives to support the DREAM Act, which provides a path to citizenship. Patricia Ice of MIRA.
"The president is suggesting that Congress should do something to act. We're requesting that Congress act on the Dream Act that they vote on it and make it law," said Ice.
The DREAM Act has been introduced in Congress several times but hasn't made it to a vote. We reached out to the Mississippi Congressional Delegation. Republican Senator Thad Cochran said in a statement, he'll work with his colleagues to find a legislative solution to this issue. Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson also said in a statement he supports the DREAM Act, which ensure DREAMERS have protections to avoid deportation.
