The fate of this program is in the hands of the ministers who have until June 30 to decide
The more than 700 thousand young people covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the United States, nervously wait for the Supreme Court of the Nation to issue a ruling in favor or against the permanence of this program that have given a work permit and avoided deportation.
This Monday, May 18, was another day of anxious waiting, in which there was no news.
The Court has until June 30 to make a decision regarding the future of the DACA program.. The ruling is expected from January.
The highest court decisions are given every Monday except Monday, May 29, which is a public holiday in the United States. Thus, The next day a possible ruling is expected is Tuesday, May 30.
“I am very anxious waiting for a ruling between now and June. At the same time we are dealing with the coronavirus and how to protect ourselves. It's a very difficult balance to sustain, ”says Melody, a young DACA beneficiary almost since this program began in 2012.
The Coalition for Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) has held remote vigils every day awaiting a decision by the Supreme Court. In these events some of the stories of the beneficiaries of the DACA program are made public.
Since they cannot have many young people on vigil, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have printed almost 40 large posters with the photos of people covered by DACA who they call “Never Invisible”.
For each vigil they choose an iconic Los Angeles location. This has been demonstrated at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, the Plaza del Mariachi in Boyle Heights, Echo Park and the First Street Bridge in the city of Los Angeles.
"Every time we go out to protest, we protect ourselves from getting the coronavirus. It feels weird. We leave in fear but with great courage"
26-year-old Melody came from Guatemala when she was nine years old. He has a master's degree in leadership and non-profit organizations from the University of Southern California (UCS). She is currently the organizer of the California Dream Network at CHIRLA.
"The only thing that sustains me is faith in God," says Melody, who is prepared for a ruling for or against DACA. "If it is against, we hope that if a different administration comes in the November elections, we can push legislation through Congress with a step towards citizenship."
He adds that the DACA boys are going to continue working for an immigration solution. For now, he acknowledges that they are full of great anxiety, but also inspiration to go out and show their faces.
It was in September 2017, when President Trump ended the DACA program. NowThe Ministers of the Supreme Court have to decide on the lawsuit that was filed against the cancellation of this program that allows since 2012 young immigrants brought as children to the United States to work without fear of deportation.
Rosa says that they have been waiting for a ruling since January. "Every Monday is a possible decision, but as the deadline approaches, I feel more anxious," says this 26-year-old girl, who came to the US at age four and is a university graduate in Political Science and Ethnic Studies.
It gives you peace of mind that you have recently renewed your DACA work permit, and that it will expire in two years. "If the failure is negative, I will have the opportunity to work and not be afraid during this time."
This program has changed his life. "The day I graduated from high school, the DACA was announced, so it felt like a good sign."
If DACA doesn't continue, their hope is that the Dream and Promise Act, a federal measure that, if enacted, would ban deportations and open the way to permanent residence for dreamers, is passed.
After Trump ended DACA, several groups filed lawsuits against the administration's decision on the grounds that it was illegal. This resulted in several federal courts in Columbia, California and New York issuing three mandates so that DACA beneficiaries could renew their work permits while the lawsuit was being settled.
If the ministers agree with the Trump administration, the DACA program would come to an end.
