When the Trump administration formally announced Tuesday that it would rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Deportation Act (DACA), protesters in DC were ready. Hundreds converged outside the White House, where they spoke out against the decision, which could result in the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the United States as children.
DACA, which was passed through an executive order by President Obama in June 2012, deferred immigration enforcement for people who entered the country illegally as minors, granting them a two-year reprieve that could be renewed. About 800,000 of these “DREAMers” live, work, and study in the United States, with some 800 residing in the District alone.
After the announcement was made, President Trump encouraged Congress to act to find a compromise on the issue. That’s not certain, however, and DC protesters are not likely to slow their efforts–there’s already at least one more demonstration planned for Saturday in front of the White House.
Courtney Vinopal is a former Washingtonian editorial fellow. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, and previously worked as a press attaché for the Embassy of France in Washington, where she ran the institution’s social media accounts and newsletters. She lives in Woodley Park.
