The fight continues among the immigrant youth community. On Tuesday, Juan Manuel Guzmán, Legislative Coordinator for United We Dream (the non-profit organization that advocates for youth immigrants and their families) went to the office of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security John Kelly to confront him.
As Kelly was walking out of his office along some of his staff, Guzmán approached him to ask one question: Why are DACA recipients being deported despite the promises of the administration and the department to not do so?
“Mr. Secretary, you said that DACA recipients are not a priority for detention and deportation. Why is this happening, Mr. Secretary?” Guzmán asked, as he was walking next to Secretary Kelly.
Secretary Kelly ignored Guzmán and kept walking.
JUST NOW: Leaders confronted @DHSgov Secretary Kelly & asked about #DACA recipients detained & deported. #HereToStay
He did not answer. pic.twitter.com/0cYBqxsZDV
— United We Dream (@UNITEDWEDREAM) June 6, 2017
“What is going to happen with Jessica [Cololt], what is going to happen with Daniel Ramírez?” asked Guzmán, referring to some of the DACA recipients who have been recently detained by the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an executive order that President Obama signed in 2012. This program protects over 800,000 youth immigrants from deportation. It also allows them to have a work permit and a driver license.
“DACA has allowed me and my family to make a living and provided us emotional stability for over four years.. .United We Dream will continue to hold DHS accountable and ensure that all immigrants are protected and able to thrive under Trump’s administration,” United We Dream advocacy director Greisa Martínez said in a statement.
DACA’s fifth anniversary will be on June 15.
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María Camila Montañez is a journalism student at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism’s Spanish-language program. She is originally from Colombia and tweets from @mariacmontanez.
