More than 100 students, staff and faculty gathered Thursday outside of Hepner Hall at San Diego State University to rally against President Donald Trump’s decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday the program that protects immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children will be dismantled, and the president is calling on Congress to address the issue within six months.
The rally at SDSU was organized by the Association of Chicana Activists, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan and Education Without Borders at SDSU.
SDSU student Vecky, of ACHA, said the organizations felt they needed to show they stood with DACA students.
“We are in solidarity with them, and they won’t be going anywhere because we want them here,” she said. “They should have every right just as a U.S. citizen to be here to have access to higher education and to contribute to a better society — a society that we want, a society that they want.”
RELATED: Trump Rescinding DACA Program Protecting Young Immigrants
The university released a statement in support of the Obama-era program on Monday urging the president to keep DACA. The statement said diversity is critical to preparing SDSU students to work in San Diego’s binational economy:
"We implore you to acknowledge these facts and urge you to retain the DACA program," the statement read.
While students appreciate the college’s support, SDSU student Marissa Mendoza said, the university should “step up” its game.
“This university needs to do a lot more for undocumented students than it’s already doing. Putting out a statement letter is not enough,” she said.
Mendoza said SDSU is not offering enough legal and medical resources.
On Tuesday, the university sent a message to its students providing information to help those with "concerns, either about their own immigration status or that of their families." The college provided a list of resources for students, faculty and staff.
Vecky said she hopes this rally leads to more opportunities for students to speak out in support of DACA students.
Meanwhile Thursday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urged President Donald Trump to tweet reassurances to the immigrants who benefit from a program his administration is ending. And the president obliged, in the latest instance of Trump doing the bidding of leaders of the opposition.
The president tweeted, "For all of those (DACA) that are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about - No action!"
For all of those (DACA) that are concerned about your status during the 6 month period, you have nothing to worry about - No action!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2017
RELATED: Trump Tweets Reassurance About DACA At Pelosi’s Urging
