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DACA Supporters Rally In Downtown L.A. As Trump Is Reportedly Set To End Program
Last week, hundreds of Angelenos took to downtown L.A. to show support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the existence of which has been precarious ever since President Trump was elected in November.
On Monday, hundreds more walked through the streets of downtown again, as Politico and other media outlets report that the president has decided to end the program. DACA, an Obama-era program, grants work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country as children. It has provided work authorization and deportation relief to more than 750,000 young immigrants since 2012. As noted at ABC 7, California is home to about 220,000 DACA recipients (or DREAM-ers), more than any other state. Politico says that, if Trump's decision is made, the White House may delay enforcement of the president's order for six months to allow time for Congress to present an alternative. Trump is expected to make an official announcement on Tuesday.
Rallies held in support of DACA were taking place across the nation on Monday. Here in L.A., UndocuMedia hosted a rally in downtown that went from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. "While losing DACA will be a tragedy, immigrant community and allies have proven time and time again that we are able to heal from attacks like this and come back stronger and united," organizers said on the event's Facebook page. "We must start mobilizing in defense of those covered by DACA, those left out of DACA since the beginning, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and the entire undocumented community."
CBS 2 notes that UndocuMedia's rally joined a separate downtown event that was held in support of a $15 minimum wage. The rally started near the corner of Grand Avenue and Cesar Chavez Avenue on Monday morning. DACA supporters later marched through the streets downtown, passing by City Hall and the L.A. Times building. Participants included DREAM-ers and members of the labor union SEIU.
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The scene was captured on social media:
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