Hundreds of high school students in Denver walked out of classes on Tuesday morning to protest against the Trump administration’s announcement that it will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
The students were from several schools in the area and gathered together at a number of locations to protest against the President Donald Trump ending the program that currently affects 800,000 undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Dozens were spotted at Barnum Park at West Sixth Avenue and Federal, KDVR reported.
West High School students gathered in Sunken Gardens Park and walked to Lincoln Park, while another large group of students walked in the Five Points neighborhood.
Hundreds of high school students in Denver walked out of classes on Tuesday morning to protest against the Trump administration’s announcement that it will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program
The students were from several schools in the area and gathered together at a number of locations to protest against the President Donald Trump ending the program that currently affects 800,000 undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Denver police officers helped to escort students at various intersections in the city to ensure safety and were on scene at the peaceful gatherings
North High School students also walked out of classes and gathered across the street at Viking Park.
Denver police officers helped to escort students at various intersections in the city to ensure safety.
Video showing the various groups marching in the streets has been shared across both Facebook and Twitter.
It’s unclear if any of the teens during the protest on Tuesday were using the program.
While protesting, many of the teens held signs in support of DACA, which was enacted under the Obama administration five years ago. Protests also took place in several locations around the country on Tuesday including New York City and Washington, D.C.
Nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants have received protections from the program that has allowed them to study in colleges and universities and also pursue careers without the fear of deportation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the Trump administration will ‘wind down’ on the Obama-era program during a press statement.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration will ‘wind down’ the Obama-era program that allows illegal immigrants who arrived as children to live and work in the US without fear of deportation
President Donald Trump signaled his intent Tuesday morning to end the Obama-era program created five years ago
He said that DACA is an ‘unconstitutional exercise of authority’ by the executive branch and amounts to ‘unilateral executive amnesty.’
The administration is rescinding the policy that created the program, Sessions said.
It’s up to Congress to pass legislation extending the policy if it see fit, the DOJ official stated.
‘We are people of compassion, and we are people of law. But there is nothing compassionate about the failure to enforce immigration laws,’ Sessions said.
President Donald Trump waited an hour after Sessions had finished speaking to send out a statement explaining the administration’s decision.
‘I do not favor punishing children, most of whom are now adults, for the actions of their parents. But we must also recognize that we are nation of opportunity because we are a nation of laws,’ Trump’s statement said.
A weekend report said Trump was planning to eliminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals scheme that his predecessor implemented five years ago at the conclusion of a six-month waiting period
Protests from supporters of the DACA program broke out of over the weekend and extended into Tuesday at the White House (above) and Trump Tower in New York City
Trump stressed in the declaration that went straight to reporters’ inboxes – he did not make a televised appearance – that the transition away from DACA would be ‘orderly’ and ‘gradual.’
New applications will not be accepted but prospective DACA recipients who already have their paperwork in will have their requests honored, Trump said.
Dreamers with DACA paperwork that is about to expire will also have their statuses renewed, he added.
‘This is a gradual process, not a sudden phase out. Permits will not begin to expire for another six months, and will remain active for up to 24 months,’ Trump said.
‘Thus, in effect, I am not going to just cut DACA off, but rather provide a window of opportunity for Congress to finally act.’
The president had hinted Tuesday morning on Twitter that he was planning to place the problem squarely on the shoulders of Congress.
‘Congress, get ready to do your job – DACA!’ Trump tweeted.
He said in a formal statement later, ‘Congress now has the opportunity to advance responsible immigration reform that puts American jobs and American security first.’
‘We will resolve the DACA issue with heart and compassion – but through the lawful Democratic process – while at the same time ensuring that any immigration reform we adopt provides enduring benefits for the American citizens we were elected to serve,’ he said, mistakenly capitalizing the ‘D’ on democratic.
Continuing, Trump said, ‘We must also have heart and compassion for unemployed, struggling, and forgotten Americans.’
Colorado’s Republican Rep. Mike Coffman introduced a bill known as the Bridge Act in January, which would extend the DACA program for three years.
Coffman plans to file a ‘discharge petition’ to force a vote on the bill.