Local advocates celebrate Supreme Court ruling on DACA, call it a win for thousands of families in the Lehigh Valley
Written by Juliana on June 18, 2020
Local advocates celebrate Supreme Court ruling on DACA, call it a win for thousands of families in the Lehigh Valley
By Jen Rehill
June 18, 2020
Thousands of families in the Lehigh Valley will be potentially impacted by the Supreme Court’s ruling on DACA today, according to advocates.
About 4,500 Pennsylvania residents are DACA recipients. That’s according to the American Immigration Council, which also says, that number represents only about a third of those eligible for the program.
Maegen Llerena, executive director of Make the Road Pennsylvania – which advocates for Latino communities in its Allentown chapter says the Supreme Court ruling is a win.
“Our team has been crying real tears. The uncertainty of DACA being in the Supreme Court has been traumatizing for so many recipients and their families, not knowing their fate, or what Monday or Thursday they might receive their fate,” said Llerena.
Llerena says the ruling gives families hope and strength to continue the fight for immigration reform – and racial justice.
“This is just one step closer to defending all Black lives, since Black Latinx folks are more likely to be detained and deported. This is just another way we can protect Black lives,” she said..
Moving forward, Llerena says her organization will continue its focus on creating a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
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