With Ken Paxton’s deadline for Donald Trump to rescind DACA just around the corner, advocates fear that time is running out to save the program that has allowed some 800,000 Dreamers to live and work freely in the United States. On Tuesday of this week, thousands of Dreamers and advocates from at least 25 states across the nation rallied to celebrate DACA and to call for its protection. And that’s just the beginning. The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), along with faith leaders, community organizers, and other advocates have begun a 24/7 vigil outside the White House that will last 22 days. September 5th is the deadline that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has given to Donald Trump to rescind DACA — or face a lawsuit.
The vigil has so far involved signs, demonstrations, story-telling, drum circles, and seeks to highlight support for DACA as well as temporary protected status (TPS) for Central American and Haitian immigrants.
As Jung Woo, NAKASEC Co-Lead of the event, said in a press statement:
I am organizing this because I am DACAmented and I am a fighter! DACA has changed my life for the better and could potentially change the lives of over 100,000 eligible folks in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Our message is loud and clear: the President and Congress must do whatever it takes to protect DACA, TPS, and pass the DREAM Act.
You can keep up with the vigil via NAKASEC’s Twitter page. View some of their tweets, photos, and videos so far, below:
