For the past five years, child immigrants under the age of 16 have been protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, created by President Obama. Recipients of DACA (often referred to as DREAMers) are enabled to contribute to American society: DREAMers attend school, work, and are protected from deportation. Because DACA requires a spotless criminal record, recipients are those who have exuded the utmost principles of citizenship. Overall, DACA benefits American society arguably more than it benefits DREAMers themselves.
This morning, the Trump administration announced the end of DACA.
Athens for Everyone is calling on our community to take action. You, personally, can help protect our DREAMers.
There is still time for Congress to overturn the decision.
- Georgia residents, contact Senators Perdue (404-865-0087) and Senator Isakson (770-661-0999) to ask them to co-sponsor the DREAM Act.
- Text “RESIST” to 50409 and construct a message detailing why you support the DREAMers. The automation will set up a fax to your representatives’ offices.
- Sign the petition to support the Bridge Act, which will help DREAMers stay in the U.S.
- Contact the White House directly at 202-456-1111 to defend DACA.
- If you have a work permit, driver’s license, identification card, and/or SSN, they are still valid until their expiration date.
- You may be eligible to apply for other protected immigration status. Talk to an immigration lawyer if you are able.
- Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition seeks justice for Athens area immigrants of varying documentation status.
- U-Lead Athens focuses on connecting students to educational opportunities.
We also reiterate our opposition to all deportations and our support for a straightforward path to citizenship for all immigrants – DREAMers, their parents, and everyone else, too. We stand for the human rights of all members of our community as we aim for a fully inclusive society, from healthcare to great schools to citizenship – Everybody In, Nobody Out!
Athens for Everyone
9/5/2017
Sources:
- https://www.us-immigration.com/deferred-action-application-I-821D.jsp
- http://www.thepetitionsite.com/591/068/943/support-the-bridge-act-help-dreamers-stay-in-the-us./
- http://remezcla.com/lists/culture/irli-daca-recipients-rights/?rfb
- https://www.athensimmigrantrights.org/take-action/
- https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2016/10/18/146290/new-study-of-daca-beneficiaries-shows-positive-economic-and-educational-outcomes/


