Yielding to the threats made by 10 attorneys general, the Trump Administration has chosen to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has shielded nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants from deportation and allowed them to work and go to school. Jeff Sessions, who made the announcement this morning, gave Congress a six-month deadline to decide the fate of these undocumented immigrants who know no other home than the United States. But for those who have seen the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act fail multiple times, it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Instead, Dreamers – who championed DACA in the first place – are gearing up to once again fight for their futures.
First proposed in 2001, the DREAM Act sought to create a pathway to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants. Since being introduced, the bill has failed to pass several times. In 2010, the bill passed in the House, but didn’t receive enough votes in the Senate, so it died. As a result, then-President Barack Obama created DACA in 2012 through an executive action. But because he couldn’t get Congressional support, it made DACA easily revocable. In that time, nearly 800,000 signed up for the program.
If you want to stand in solidarity with the undocumented community, here are 12 events you can attend this week:
1
Save DACA and pass the DREAM ACT PDX Rally!
When: Tuesday, September 5 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. PDT
Where: Edith Green – Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, 900 S.W. 5th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204
Description: “At the Rally on Tuesday, September 5 at 5 pm WE WILL URGE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS THE DREAM ACT. This proposed legislation will legalized the DREAMERS with a pathway to Citizenship. We will see you at Terry Schrunk Plaza on TUESDAY AT 5:00 PM.”
Learn more here.
2
Protect DACA, Press Conference and Speak-out
When: Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT
Where: Marshall Park, 800 E. 3rd St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Description: “September 5th marks the deadline set by 11 Attorney Generals for President Trump to end DACA (Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals). The President will make his decision on the program tomorrow (Tuesday). Comunidad Colectiva will be having a press conference to highlight the security that DACA brings to Charlotteans and their families. Following the press conference, we will have a speak-out and invite DACAmented youth to tell their stories on how DACA has changed their lives and their families.”
Learn more here.
3
DACA Fights Back: Trump Tower Take Over
When: Tuesday at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT
Where: Trump Tower New York, 725 5th Ave., New York, New York 10022
Description: “If Trump strikes DACA, DACA strikes back!
“There is an imminent announcement on the decision for DACA on September 5th, but we won’t wait for Trump to decide our fates. DACAmented immigrants and allies are going to take direct action and put themselves at risk to fight for permanent protection, dignity, and respect.”
Learn more here.
4
DACA Rally Sep. 5th
When: Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. PDT
Where: San Diego County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, California 92101
Description: “EWB has decided to caravan to Alliance San Diego’s event Rally to defend DACA this Tuesday.”
Learn more here.
5
Defend DACA Press Conference/Action - Santa Clara County
When: Tuesday, September 5 at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT
Where: SJSU King Library, One Washington Square, San Jose, California 95192
Description: “On Tuesday, the president will be making an announcement on the future of DACA. The Santa Clara County community will be coming together for a press conference approximately two hours after the announcement for our local response and call to action for our next steps. #DefendDACA”
Learn more here.
6
Until All Are Free! Fighting 4 DACA & 11 million immigrants
When: Tuesday, September 5 at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT
Where: 2200 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
Description: “Anti-immigrant powers have come together to challenge DACA, and President Trump will make an announcement on September 5th. We have no faith on a man that time after time has decided to side with racists white supremacist and anti-immigrant nationalists.
“In good faith, DACA recipients gave the federal government school information, finger prints, and every little detail of our lives in exchange of some peace of mind, a deferred deportation, and a two year renewable work permit that allowed many to provide prosperity and reunification of their families.”
Learn more here.
7
Emergency DACA Rally - Colorado Springs
When: Tuesday at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. MDT
Where: Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
Description: “As some of you may know, DACA and the futures of Dreamers are under attack. By next Tuesday (September 5th), we are expecting President Trump to make an announcement regarding the fate of DACA. Reports have revealed that the current administration is seriously considering ending DACA. We cannot let this happen. Nearly 800,000 undocumented students benefit from DACA. Meaning nearly 800,000 may lose the means go to college, to work, and to dream. They will become deportable if DACA is terminated. We cannot let this happen. We must fight back at all costs to protect DACA and to advocate for Dreamers.”
Learn more here.
8
Calling all DACA folks - Community Gathering + More
When: Thursday, September 7 at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT
Where: United We Dream – Houston, 1900 Kane St., Houston, Texas 77007
Description: “We will be convening on Thursday to check-in on all of you –
We want to know:
How are you doing? How are you after Harvey?
What is the latest on DACA?
What does the SB 4 Injunction mean?
What services are available to folks affected by Harvey?
And the latest fundraising for undocumented families.”
Learn more here.
9
Undocumented & Unafraid March
When: Thursday, September 5 at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PDT
Where: Sasscer Park, Ross and Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, California 92701
Learn more here.
10
Statewide March for DACA / Marcha estatal por DACA
When: Tuesday, September 5 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CDT
Where: Downtown Racine Monument Square, Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Description: “We’ll march to urge House Speaker Paul Ryan to support of DACA protections for immigrant youth and pass legislation protecting immigrant youth and families from deportation.
“We’ll march from Ryan’s office near Monument Square to the Racine Unified School District offices to urge RUSD to pass the safe haven resolution to protect immigrant students from Trump’s ICE agents.”
Learn more here.
11
Defend DACA Rally
When: Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. EDT
Where: Western International High School, 1500 Scotten St., Detroit, Michigan 48209
Description: “This is the national day of action to support DACA. Please come out and stand up for all the DACA students in our community!
“This event is youth organized, and will have speakers who are public officials and activists, as well as those personally affected by DACA and its repeal.”
Learn more here.
12
Beyond Defending DACA #ProtectionForAll
When: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT
Where: 230 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, Illinois 60603
Description: “An announcement regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is expected to come on Tuesday. Individuals who will be impacted by the pending DACA announcement will share their testimonies and ask allies to defend all immigrants.
“Directly impacted individuals, allies, and organizations will gather at Federal Plaza to show the 800,000 impacted people that they are not alone.
“While we do not know the specifics of the announcement, we recognize that the undocumented immigrant community is under attack and we must organize to defend it and demand #ProtectionForAll.”
Learn more here.