Supporters of DACA fight to keep dreamers home
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Dozens of people rallied in support of the Dream Act in the Houston offices of Senator John Cornyn Thursday.
The so-called "Dreamers" want a path to citizenship and say they are not backing down from the fight.
Supporters say undocumented children brought in to the country by their parents should not be forced to return to places they do not call home.
Before they arrived at the senator's office, the Dreamers posted signs along highway 59 and in the Memorial City Mall area.
They do not agree with the Trump administration's decision to wind down the program.
The president has said Congress should vote on the status of Dreamers and the people here want Congress to act soon and let them remain in the US.
"Even though our community is afraid, even though our community is still figuring out what to do, we are not going to take it, we are going to fight back because this is our home," said Daniel Candelaria.
The Dreamers are facing an important deadline.
About 150 thousand must reapply today for protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The Trump administration announced in September it would phase out the program, leaving nearly 800,000 immigrants uncertain about their future.
But about 46,000 have not reapplied.
The renewal applications can be completed at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
Sen. Cornyn's office released the following statement to ABC13:
"This policy, while well-intentioned, was implemented without the approval of Congress by a President who exceeded his authority under the Constitution. This President now has the chance to work with Congress towards finding a solution to this issue where his predecessor failed. These children who were brought here illegally through no fault of their own continue to make positive contributions to Texas and the nation, and it's important for us to achieve a long-term resolution."
