Hartnell College students worried about losing DACA

UPDATE 11/10/16 5:32 PM:

There is growing concern among hundreds of Hartnell College students about their immigration status in the United States. Many attended a forum on the subject Thursday at the college.

Their concerns center on the future of the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an executive order that gives work permits and temporary deportation protection to some undocumented citizens.

Part of President-elect Donald Trump’s 100 day plan includes cancelling several of President Obama’s executive orders which Trump considers unconstitutional. One of those orders is DACA.

Zuleyma Vannessa Alvarez Yañez is a DACA student at Hartnell College in Salinas.

“I never thought it would come to this point where I thought I would be scared about whether I’d be able to renew it or not, or what’s going to happen once it expires,” she said.

Vanessa was born in Mexico and has lived in the United States her entire life. Under DACA, she’s been allowed to work and attend school. She is in a holding pattern.

Immigration lawyer Blanco Zarazua has seen an uptick in calls from people concerned about their status under DACA. She urges people to avoid speculation and, instead, be patient and proactive.

“We are advising DACA students to sign up for DACA by January 20th or to renew their DACA by January 20 th ,” Zarazua said. “If they are travelling on advance parole, away from the U.S., they need to think about coming back.”

For Vanessa, she faces an uncertain future until Inauguration Day.

“If worst case scenario comes, I’m probably going to have to head back to Mexico,” she said, “and that’s even scarier because I haven’t been there since I came here.”

ORIGINAL STORY: Undocumented students attending Hartnell College under DACA speak with KION Thursday afternoon about their fears of deportation after Donald Trump was elected president.

The Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals is an executive action and could be repealed when Trump enters the Oval Office.

The college is offering students support and an open discussion forum in several locations on Thursday and Monday.

Main Campus

Thursday, November 10
Safe Space for Post-Election Support
Student Center, Room C101
10:00am-12:00pm and 3:00pm-5:00pm

Thursday, November 10
Open Forum – Facilitated dialog and Q&A with campus and community representatives:
Steinbeck Hall
3:00pm-5:00pm
Immigration lawyer will be present

Mi Casa
Student Group Counseling and Discussion
Room D383
M-F 8:30am-5:30pm
(831)-755-6723

King City

Thursday, November 10
Student Group Counseling and Discussion
Room 109
2:00pm-6:00pm

Monday, November 14
Student Group Counseling and Discussion
Room 109
10:00am-6:00pm

Alisal Campus

Thursday, November 10
Student Group Counseling and Discussion
Room AC C105A
10:00am-12:00pm