S.C. immigration meeting spotlights possible policy changes and future of D.A.C.A.
Dozens of community members came together Friday night at Harbor High School in Santa Cruz to talk about immigration. The idea was to give undocumented families the information they need about any possible policy changes that might come with president-elect Donald Trump.
“I am here to see how the Dream Act is going to be affected after the Trump election,” said a high school student named Ramon. He said he and his family have benefited from D.A.C.A, or deferred action for childhood arrivals, which temporarily protects young people from deportation.
The program, however, could be at risk with a Donald Trump presidency.
“I feel like it’s kind of messed up because a lot of people come here for opportunity and he wants to take opportunities away,” said Ramon.
This week, Trump walked back on his anti-D.A.C.A rhetoric, saying in a Time Magazine interview that “we are going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud.”
“There have been statements by the president-elect that he wants to work something out for the dreamers and I hope he will follow through with that,” said immigration lawyer Doug Keegan with the Santa Cruz County Immigration Project.
Keegan still wants families to know their rights, inform people about likely changes in immigration laws and also to ease people’s fears.
“Nothing is going to change before January 20th, so until then, let’s try to remain calm,” said Keegan.
The meeting was also attended by supervisor Ryan Coonerty, who ensured families that they are welcome in Santa Cruz County.
“I am here with our school board, our chief of police, with our sheriff and with other elected officials to let you know that we will do everything we can to insure that this is a safe place for you and your families,” said Coonerty.
The forum was hosted by Harbor High School and the superintendent said that it’s important to hold meeting like this because they want to support students and their families.
