Illegals: We Will Leave US If Congress Fails to Reach DACA Agreement
February 10, 2018 in News by Ken
source: www.westernjournal.com
By Caterine DeCicco
A group of young illegal immigrants brought into the country as children – better known as Dreamers, have made it known that they do not intend to stay in the United States past March 5, if Congress fails to act on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals bill.
Alex and Daniela Velez, two sisters from Venezuela, told CNN they plan to leave before the government has the chance to deport them.
“Alex and I are both over this (DACA situation),” said 24-year-old Daniela Velez, an illegal immigrant protected under DACA.
The Velez sisters are part of a group of about 689,000 young adults currently residing in the U.S. under the DACA program.
As previously reported by The Western Journal, the DACA program allowed adults brought into the country illegally as children the opportunity to stay without fear of deportation, provided that they had no criminal record, among other qualifications.
DACA was not a path to citizenship, however, the program allowed dreamers to legally obtain driver’s licenses, get work permits and attend college.
However, in September 2017, President Donald Trump repealed the executive order, turning over the issue to Congress, setting a deadline of March 5. Since then, immigration activists have been calling on legislators to expedite the process.
Although in January, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plans to end the program.
Judge William Alsup ruled that the administration must resume receiving DACA renewal applications, according to CNN.
Still, the administration is not required to process applications for individuals who had not previously received the status.
In the case of Alex Velez, her DACA status is set to expire just one day after Congress’ deadline, on March 6.
Due to Alsup’s ruling, the 19-year-old college student was able to submit an application for a two-year renewal form, but with the DACA program currently in limbo, there is no guarantee that she will be able to stay.
