On Tuesday Sept. 14 at 12 p.m. SUU students and professors alike joined together in a walk from the bell tower and across campus. They walked in to show solidarity for immigrants in response to Trump’s rescindment of the DACA policy on Sept. 5.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that was put into action in 2012 by the Obama Administration. Basically, the DACA policy allows undocumented immigrants who are still minors when they come to the U.S. to have two renewable years of deferred action from deportation. They can also be eligible for a work permit.
Those who were eligible under the DACA policy were all children or minors who entered this country. It allowed young undocumented immigrants, also known as DREAMers because of the DREAM Act which was a sort of precursor to DACA, to stay and work thus lowering the number of unauthorized immigrants who lived in poverty.
Coinciding with his attempts to end undocumented immigration, Trump planned to repeal the policy as soon as he was elected. Now, on Sept. 5, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced its repeal. The rescindment was given a six month delay so that Congress could search for a solution for those who were previously eligible for deferred deployment and for work permits.
In reaction to Trump’s rescindment of the DACA policy, there have been protests across the country and now Cedar City can be included amongst them.
People of all ages showed up for the walk across campus. Signs were held by many showing support of immigrants and speaking out against deportation.
The walk was in solidarity for immigrants everywhere but especially for those who are a part of the campus and community. Alyssa Backman, the secretary for Latino Student Alliance and a junior at SUU, said, “I just think it’s important for SUU students and the community to show their support for the DACA program and students here because they are just as much a part of this community as anyone else.”
Before the walk began, the president of the LSA, Elizabeth Campos, taught the chant, “No Hate. No Fear. Immigrants are welcome here.”
“That’s why I think this walk was important, to show the students who were affected by the recent decision that SUU is here to offer support, whether it be emotional or financial. We are here for them,” said Backman.
As the group began their march away from the bell tower, the chant could be heard as individuals held up their signs. The group walked to the Center of Diversity and Inclusion.
Find more information on DACA at the view our house editorial at the SUU News website.
Story By
Katelyn Connors
Reporter4@suunews.com
