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Rally focuses on keeping Dream alive for DACA recipients

September 5, 2017

About 700 people rallied Tuesday afternoon to protest President Trump's plan to end the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program.

If that happens, nearly 800,000 people transported to the country as children could be deported and would be barred from working and studying here legally. About 12,500 of DACA recipients live in Oregon, nearly 5,000 of them in the Portland area.

Several organizations rallied at 5 p.m. Sept. 5, outside downtown Portland's Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, 900 S.W. Fifth Ave. Milenio.org and Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario said about 30 percent to 40 percent of those attending the rally are recipients of the DACA program, also known as "Dreamers," based on a 2001 proposed DREAM Act that offered legal status to immigrant children who attended college or joined the military.

One Oregon, a coalition focused on defending immigrant rights, organized a mid-morning rally against the decision in the South Park Blocks that featured speeches by DACA recipients, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Portland Community College President Mark Mitsui.

To be eligible for the DACA program, immigrants had to come to the United States before they were 16 and lived in the U.S. since mid-June 2007. The program allows immigrants to legally apply for drivers' licenses and attend college. It does not allow them to become U.S. citizens or provide permanent legal status.

A gradual process

President Trump said Tuesday that his decision on DACA was based on his desire to see congressional action on the program, not executive action, which created DACA. Trump said he did not favor "punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents," but, "we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws."

"In June of 2012, President Obama bypassed Congress to give work permits, social security numbers and federal benefits to approximately 800,000 illegal immigrants currently between the ages of 15 and 36," Trump said in a statement released by the White House. "The typical recipients of this executive amnesty, known as DACA, are in their 20s. Legislation offering these same benefits had been introduced in Congress on numerous occasions and rejected each time."

At least 10 states have sued the federal government to block the program, forcing the U.S. Department of Justice to "make a decision regarding its legality." Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the program is likely "unconstitutional and cannot be successfully defended in court."

In a Facebook post, former President Obama called the decision "contrary to our spirit, and to common sense."

"Let's be clear: the action taken today isn't required legally," Obama wrote. "It's a political decision, and a moral question. Whatever concerns or complaints Americans may have about immigration in general, we shouldn't threaten the future of this group of young people who are here through no fault of their own, who pose no threat, who are not taking away anything from the rest of us."

Trump said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security would begin "an orderly transition and wind-down of DACA, one that provides minimum disruption." New applications for work permits will not be accepted, but existing work permits will be honored until they expire, Trump said.

"This is a gradual process, not a sudden phase out," the president said. "Permits will not begin to expire for another six months, and will remain active for up to 24 months. Thus, in effect, I am not going to just cut DACA off, but rather provide a window of opportunity for Congress to finally act."

Looking for immigration reform

Oregon's political and civic leaders met Trump's decision with condemnation. Gov. Kate Brown said the decision was "reckless" and called on Congress to fight back with a more "thoughtful approach" to immigration reforms.

Here in Oregon, Dreamers are an integral part of our workforce and contribute over $6 million to our state's economy," Brown said Tuesday. "Dreamers embody the ideals of the American Dream, and for so many, the United States is the only home they know.

"I am deeply troubled by federal orders that seek to tear apart otherwise law-abiding families and undermine Oregon's economy. I call on Congress to step up and push back against the White House's reckless immigration policies. We need to take a thoughtful approach to immigration reform and must work to empower families and children with the tools they need to reach their greatest potential."

Rep. Knute Buehler, a Bend Republican who plans to challenge Brown in 2018, made a similar call to Congress after learning of Trump's decision. "Dreamers should be allowed to remain in the U.S. and have the opportunity to become legal citizens," Buehler said. "For the young people affected, America and Oregon is their home. ... Oregonians living under this program, deserve compassion, not to be deported.

"I urge Republicans and Democrats in Congress to come together to pass compassionate and smart immigration reforms that can secure our border while maintaining America as the beacon for liberty and opportunity."

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, a Hood River Republican representing the 2nd Congressional District, agreed with the president that it was time for Congress to work on "much-needed immigration reform, and it is vital to fixing our broken system."

"Like all Americans, I have compassion for those who entered our country unlawfully as children and are now in limbo in our immigration system," Walden said Tuesday in a Facebook post. "These are kids who know no other country as their home and were brought here through no fault of their own at a young age. It is up to Congress to find a permanent solution."

Portland State University President Rahmat Shoureshi said in a statement that the decision to phase out DACA "will have serious consequences for our students at Portland State University."

"These DACA students known as 'dreamers,' came to Oregon as children of undocumented parents," Shoureshi said. "The federal program, which is renewable every two years, has enabled them to attend college and work without fear of deportation. Ending the DACA program would upend their lives and the lives of their families."

Shoureshi reaffirmed PSU's "commitment to our students and their families."

"PSU will do its best not to disrupt the education of our students, and we will continue to support them in their efforts toward obtaining their PSU degree," he said.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Beaverton Democrat representing Oregon's 1st Congressional District, called the decision "heartless."

"Deporting people brought to this country as children is heartless, doesn't improve national safety, and will have a detrimental effect on our economy," Bonamici said in a statement. "America is better than this; we don't -- and shouldn't -- penalize children for the actions of their parents."

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden said Trump's proposal would "punish hundreds of thousands of innocent young Americans and split apart families."

"I will be fighting tooth and nail alongside my Senate colleagues to preserve the ability of these young people to continue to contribute to our country," Wyden said in a statement. "Congress must come together and work on comprehensive immigration reform and a fair path forward for DREAMers."

U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Portland Democrat representing Oregon's 3rd Congressional District, said the decision would "break our commitment" to the DACA recipients.

"But Americans overwhelmingly stand with DREAMers and want a path forward for them here in the United States," Blumenauer said in a statement. "Republican leadership must heed this call. Words are not enough. We need an immediate vote on legislation to permanently protect DREAMers."

Oregon's Independent Party officials also decried the proposed change in DACA. "Forcing people to leave the only country they have ever known as home is inhumane and contrary to our core values as Americans," according to the party. "Dreamers are overwhelmingly employed, in school or in the military and contribute to the success of this country. We urge every member of Oregon's congressional delegation, including especially Congressman Greg Walden, to support the Dream Act and urge its passage without condition by this congress."

State Treasurer Tobias Read said in a statement that the decision was "cruel and shortsighted."

"Dreamers play a critical role in our society and our workforce," Read said. "This decision will tear families apart and will hurt our economy. Congress must step up and show leadership. This decision by the President will harm our country and does not represent American values."

House Speaker Tina Kotek said the decision was "a disgrace and a betrayal of America's most fundamental values."

"We are a better nation than one that targets hard-working young people who trusted us to help them pursue the American Dream," Kotek said.

Issues:Civil Rights