There have been heightened concerns over the safety of undocumented students and the possible retraction of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program of the Obama administration. However, one governor said that President Trump will not be undoing DACA.
Last month, the arrest of DREAMer Daniel Ramirez, who is supposed to be protected by the DACA program, ignited fear in the hearts of many undocumented students. It is estimated that there are about 750,000 DREAMers, who sought protection through the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act.
They also received letters that stated how any deportation actions against them would be deferred for two years. Within those years, they can look for work in the United States.
However, with the current situation, several international university students have already been affected by President Trump's immigration ban. They expressed their worry that they may not be able to complete their studies.
BuzzFeed News reported that Virginia's Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe, chairperson of the National Governors Association, said that the Trump administration will not end the DACA program. The governor added that only individuals deemed as criminals will be deported and that ICE agents will not be able to do random spot checks illegally.
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly assured McAuliffe that only individuals involved in criminal acts will be deported. The Virginia governor also noted that, during a dinner with President Trump, he was given the same assurances about the safety of undocumented students and immigrants.
Secretary Kelly also assured him that the administration would not undo DACA. McAuliffe urged Kelly to share this assurance to the American people.
According to The Guardian, President Donald Trump had admitted that legislation which would allow some undocumented immigrants to stay in the nation without fear of deportation is fine with him. He made the announcement at a meeting with the media, before his first presidential address to Congress.
