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Dozens in Kansas City rally in support of DACA

Posted at 9:56 PM, Sep 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-05 23:13:29-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hours after the Trump administration announced it would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, dozens of supporters from Kansas City rallied around the J.C. Nicholas Fountain. 

Chanting and holding signs, they declared their intention to fight for the program. 

“This morning it was unbearable. It was devastating,” said Alex, a DACA participant. “It’s like you give me wings to fly and then you rip them away.” 

Alex was born in Mexico but brought to the United States when he was a child. He rallied Tuesday in hopes others would see the faces of DACA as “hard workers rather than criminals.” 

“I just want everyone to get to know us. Get to know me, get to know my friends. We are not criminals like we are painted on the screen. We are strong individuals who are educated and have careers,” he said. 

RELATED | Local DACA student worries about future as program ends

DACA temporarily granted legal status to about 800,000 children who were brought into the United States illegally by their parents— shielding them from consequences like deportation, while allowing them to legally apply for jobs and schools. 

Juan told 41 Action News DACA allowed him to get a social security number, a driver’s license, and enroll in college. He wants to major in film. 

“The American Dream is always dreaming about something. And that’s what I am hoping for one day,” he said. 

DACA was created in 2012 by former President Barack Obama with an executive order after Congress repeatedly failed to pass immigration legislation. 

In announcing the policy change Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions called DACA an “unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive branch.” 

On Twitter Tuesday night, President Donald Trump tweeted: