Santa Cruz students to walk out of class as Supreme Court hears DACA arguments

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Nationwide protests are coming close to home here on the Central Coast, as students on the UC Santa Cruz campus get ready to walk out of class.

It’s part of an effort by a national organization called “Home is Here.” This is the second time in the last week that Santa Cruz residents are rallying with the local chapter of that organization in support of DACA recipients. And some protesters are DACA recipients themselves.

“When DACA was rescinded two years ago, I felt very alone,” Gabriela Cruz, United We Dream community organizer. “And very much afraid of what was going to happen to people like me who didn’t have status but had DACA.”

Cruz went on to say that the Supreme Court’s decision will not affect her motivation to continue fighting for immigrant rights.

“There’s a lot at risk for our community,” Cruz said. “But I also know that our community is very resilient and I will keep on fighting regardless of whether DACA stays or goes.”

According to the protesters on Friday, their goal is to have the Supreme Court uphold the rulings of three lower court cases. In each of those cases, DACA supporters argued that the Trump administration’s termination of the program was unlawful.

The Supreme Court is only hearing arguments today. It is not expected to make a decision until next year.