APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – They’re concerned, even though the message from President Trump last week was ‘not to worry.’
DACA recipients and supporters gathered Sunday at an Appleton church to talk about the impact of the program while Congress works to reach a new deal.
Fearful and frustrated about the DACA program winding down, dreamers stepped up to the podium at the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church.
Sayra Villa of Appleton told FOX 11, “My biggest fear is not being able to meet my full potential.”
Villa came to the U.S. at the age of four, saying it was the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that helped her pursue her dreams.
“I’ve been able to get new opportunities and get a drivers license, a good paying job and a better education.”
The White House announced in September that no new DACA applications are being accepted and renewals would only be processed for those whose DACA status expires by March 5th.
Outagamie County Republican Party Chairman, Jim Duncan said Trump did the right thing by rescinding the program.
“He gave them a deadline; Congress works on a deadline. Somebody finally had pay attention to it. It was very smart on his behalf.”
Norys Pina, one of the of the forum leaders disagreed….
“We shouldn’t be pushing out talent and good people who are helping to build our communities.”
Members attending the forum said they want to see a ‘clean’ Dream Act which, in part, means no funding for a border wall.
“We don’t want them to use immigration as a leverage for more money for a wall because we know its not working. Its useless to have a wall,” Pina said.
Members also talked about Trump’s latest proposal on ending the family reunification or chain immigration.
Pina said family members should be able to come to the U.S. for a better life.
Duncan said allowing just any family, not just immediate family members, can be risky.
“It’s not going to affect the nuclear family, mother, father, brother but it is going to affect those going down to third cousins, second cousins. Anybody whose related to them can come over here and that’s not a good way to pick whose a good citizen.”
Amid the differences, Villa said, “Its where I’m from but its not where I want to be or what I’m accustomed to. My home is here and I want to be here.”
