Undocumented Tennessee students fear loss of DACA immigration program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — President Donald Trump threw his support behind a bill to cut immigration to the united states in half-based on a merit system.
This comes as 'dreamers,' those brought to the U.S. by their parents, tried to meet with Governor Bill Haslam.
On Wednesday, Angelica Gonzalez was part of a small army on a big mission.
"My life is being endangered as well as the other 8,000 dreamers out there," Gonzalez said.
The 25-year-old woman is one of thousands of undocumented students, who fear what will happen if protections created under the Obama Administration go away.
"If that's taken from us, that's going to be the only thing that our families have," Gonzalez said. "If that work permit isn't there, if that license isn't there, our families will be in danger."
Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slattery signed a letter joining states that plan to sue the federal government unless it ends the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program.
That program gives amnesty to children brought to U.S. illegally by their parents.
Attorney Will York, an attorney for the Dreamers Army group, said time is running out.
"The threat from the Attorney General Mr. Slattery is that if the federal government does not resend the DACA program by September 5, he will sue the federal government so time is very much of the essence for these young people," York said.
Angelica Gonzalez said she hopes someone will listen before its too late.
"I'm going to be the first in my family to graduate from college and having that opportunity taken from me is damaging to my future," Gonzalez said.
Governor Haslam's Press Secretary Jennifer Donnals sent a statement via e-mail saying:
"We understand the concerns surrounding DACA and its impact, yet this is a federal issue for Congress to resolve."
