Congressman Don Bacon showed optimism for a DACA resolution by Congress at a forum with DACA youth and their parents at Omaha South High Magnet School Monday evening.
In his second recent intimate gathering with DREAMers, Bacon said he wanted to show local DACA recipients they have his support.
“I think it’s important for DREAMers to know that I will stand for them and that I will not allow any DACA child who works hard and is doing the best she or he can, be deported,” said Bacon.
In a Q&A style forum with a Spanish translator, Bacon took on questions from parents and students who are concerned about the future of DACA and students’ futures.
Alejandro, a construction worker who has lived in Omaha for years, has two daughters; one of them is a DACA recipient, the other is not 15 years old, and was not eligible to apply for DACA before the new program restrictions. He attended the forum to ask Bacon what’s going to happen to his daughters’ futures.
“I brought them when they were toddlers. They don’t know what it’s like to live in Mexico. The main and only reason we brought them to the U.S. was to have a better life than what we had,” said Alejandro. “Because we grew up in poor areas, had no support from our government, we left home to give my daughters the best opportunities – to be different and succeed. And now, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Leydi, another parent, has five children. Her three youngest are American citizens, but her two oldest boys in high school are not. Her oldest is waiting for his DACA renewal permit, while the other one applied for DACA in early September and is waiting to hear back from immigration.
“Even though the processes are set for them to get DACA, I’m still scared because my close friend’s son was arrested by ICE, and was later released after his DACA permit arrived. The government has all of our information, so I don’t know if I should move houses or what I need to do to protect my children,” said Leydi. “Every day is worrisome because we have a mixed immigration status family.”
Bacon assured Alejandro, Leydi, and the dozens of parents and students in the auditorium, he believed Congress will settle on a DACA deal by March 5th but that both parties would have to meet in the middle and compromise on tighter border security.
Bacon repeatedly told his constituents to contact his office if they had more DACA concerns – his office has a liaison who works specifically with the Latino community. The phone number to his office is: 402-938-0300.
