Thousands of students who were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents are worried they will have to leave the country due to a White House announcement on Deferred Action Against Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
.@jeffsessions to announce @realDonaldTrump's #DACA decision at 8a. What it will mean for nearly 30k dreamers in Arizona coming up @kgun9
— Carlos Herrera (@KGUNCarlos) September 5, 2017
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday that the program is being rescinded.
The decision could affect 40,000 DACA students in Arizona.
Students are awaiting guidance on what to do after the Donald Trump White House changes the policy on DACA.
Immigration attorneys have been processing and filing DACA petitions for students before the program is ended.
Officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not have the manpower or resources to expel nearly 1 million DACA students from the country.
Many opposed the White House decision. Here is a statement from Sen. John McCain:
“President Trump’s decision to eliminate DACA is the wrong approach to immigration policy at a time when both sides of the aisle need to come together to reform our broken immigration system and secure the border.
“I strongly believe that children who were illegally brought into this country through no fault of their own should not be forced to return to a country they do not know. The 800,000 innocent young people granted deferred action under DACA over the last several years are pursuing degrees, starting careers, and contributing to our communities in important ways. While I disagreed with President Obama’s unilateral action on this issue, I believe that rescinding DACA at this time is an unacceptable reversal of the promises and opportunities that have been conferred to these individuals.
The federal government has a responsibility to defend and secure our borders, but we must do so in a way that upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation. I will be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to devise and pass comprehensive immigration reform, which will include the DREAM Act.”
