Trump's Ending of DACA to Spark Protests, Lawsuits, and Congressional Battles

As members of the immigrant rights movement prepare for an 11am announcement regarding President Donald Trump’s reported plan to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to apply for temporary, renewable work permits and relief from deportation, demonstrations in support of DACA were planned across the country on Tuesday.

In addition to actions in cities nationwide, “advocates plan to rally at the White House in the morning, march to the Justice Department and the Trump hotel, then circle back to the White House,” the Washington Post reports. “A small group will also launch a five-day fast at the First Trinity Lutheran Church in the District.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s protests, Adam Luna, communications director of United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth organization in the country, told the Post DACA’s opponents “will be put in the position of having to look immigrant youth in the eye and say to these people, who have lived in the United States since they were one year old, that we literally want you locked into a detention camp and forced out of this country.”

Trump has reportedly been urged by members of his administration, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to terminate DACA. For several days, protesters have gathered at events, many coordinated by United We Dream, and called on the president to keep the program.

Individuals and other groups have also organized and spoken out in support of the program, including at least five state attorneys general, eight governors, 130 mayors, and 230 state legislators who have signed a letter recognizing how DACA recipients “have enriched and strengthened our cities, states, schools, businesses, congregations, and families.”

“Today, those of us benefiting from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are in danger of losing our ability to provide for ourselves and our families due to Trump’s reckless and inhumane decision to play politics with the lives of almost 1 million of us with DACA,” said Catalina Velasquez, a DACA recipient and a board member of Our Revolution, which urged supporters of the program to participate in a “Midtown Shutdown” event in New York City on Tuesday.

In addition to hosting events in the streets and at government buildings across the United States, groups have been raising awareness about DACA online.