Community comes together for rally
On Sept. 12, a demonstration was held at the College of Wooster to protest the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
DACA was put in place by the Obama administration and provides the legal status that enables educational and occupational opportunities for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States by their parents, while still under the age of 16, according to the website for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Capitalizing on a campaign promise, President Trump’s administration announced his intent to end DACA on Sept. 5, prompting the demonstration at the College of Wooster (will have a source when the people I interviewed get back to me).
Upon attending the demonstration, I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout. In a small community that consistently votes Republican, I did not expect the large crowd of nearly (insert number here when my source replies) people to oppose our Republican president’s decision.
While the demonstration was extremely positive, its purpose concerns me of the direction our country is heading. The fact that those in charge of making our national policy decisions hold grudges against someone based on their parents relocating their family for a better life for their family to the idea that the United States of America is a pinnacle of freedom and opportunity.
A common misconception by those who support the repeal of DACA is that it is a handout for undocumented immigrants. This idea is incorrect, as its recipients pay taxes.
In addition, in order to be eligible for DACA, one must have a clean criminal record and be in, or graduated from, high school. One can also receive DACA from being in, or a veteran for, the United States military.
Another incorrect view that people have about DACA is that the its recipients harm the community. This view is wrong, as the Center for American Progress’ website concludes that immigrants increase the standard of living, as well as strengthening the economy.
As DACA recipients help the economy, increase the standard of living and provide more educated people to enter the professional world, there is no reason to repeal DACA.
The benefits of having immigrants in the United States shows the College of Wooster demonstration should act as a precursor to demonstrations following it, bringing forth the change that is crucial to keeping the United States great.
