Immigrants, advocates and members of the community marched in Nassau Saturday in support of DACA and the immigrants it protects.
More than 100 people gathered at the Hicksville train station and marched down Old Country Road to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's local office. Participants say they wanted to make their voices heard against the Trump administration's decision announced Tuesday to end DACA.
As News 12 has reported, about 800,000 immigrants are currently protected from deportation by temporary work permits granted by the Obama-era program. But President Trump has said he will phase out the policy, and he has given Congress six months to act before it ends.
DACA recipient Nelson Melgar, of Glen Cove, says it's time for him to take a stand. "I think it's important for our elected officials to know that their constituents stand with DACA, stand with the immigrant community," he says.
Victoria Daza is an immigration organizer for Long Island Jobs with Justice. She says they're pushing for a "clean" federal Dream Act bill that includes driver's license legislation and a path to citizenship, and would stop local police from cooperating with ICE officials.
Some Republicans, including Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) are pushing for a plan that continues the DACA program, but with some stipulations including more border security.