By Fernanda M. Tovar &
Jacqueline Resendiz Morales
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, commonly known as DACA, would be revoked, leaving recipients in limbo unless Congress takes action.
DACA was responsible for granting 800,000 undocumented people, known as the “Dreamers,” who came to the United States at a young age, eligible work permits that could be renewed every two years and the opportunity to further their educations.
Congress has until March to pass a measure to protect DACA. President Trump declined to extend President Obama’s executive order on the issue and sent it back to Congress, where it faces an uncertain future.
The future of the Dreamers faces turbulence, particularly at Cal State Dominguez Hills, which has a large immigrant student body.
Daniel Caballero, the Toros Dreamers Success Center’s interim coordinator, stressed the amount of support and services the center offers to DACA students at Dominguez Hills.
“If there is ever a concern, you should always seek out an ally on campus that can point you in the right direction,” Caballero said, “whether it be here at our center and myself, but there is definitely people here on campus that stand with undocumented students.”
Since DACA was put on hold, students are coming in search of support and texpressing significantly increased levels of stress and anxiety, he said.
“Students need someone who might understand,” Caballero said.
The day of the DACA appeal, there was a mass email sent to students regarding the decision.
President Willie J. Hagan made it clear that “we will remain steadfast in our efforts to oppose this action and actively promote legislation that addresses the important need to support undocumented students and their families.”
The Toros Dreamers Success Center held a healing circle for students, new and old, that same day.
“Students I never met before seeked out the space to get more information,” Caballero said.
Although many students are worried about what the future holds, communications senior Pedro Cruz has other thoughts in mind.
“This was bound to happen, but I’m happy,” said Cruz, a DACA student. “I know it’s a waiting game, but I know what comes next will be even better for us.”
Caballero said the Multicultural Center is able to offer information on immigration and give students support and a place to go to and interact with others.
There are also training sessions, which offer presentations that discuss pieces of legislation that impact DACA students. Lawyers have also visited the center to provide free legal advice.
The Multicultural Center is planning programing for this year, as student grapple with the issue.
“Get out of your comfort zone, and the doors are always open,” Caballero said when asked what he would like to tell students.
The Multicultural Center, as well as other organizations, is located in the first floor of the Loker Student Union. Information is at csudh.edu/mca/staff/index
