EUGENE, Ore. – Elected officials such as Rep. Peter Defazio, Ron Wyden, and State Commissioner Val Hoyle were among others who held a conference on Sunday for those ready to support and fight for the well-being of Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Furthermore, DACA was created during Obama’s term and serves as an immigration alternative for immigrants who arrived in the United States before the age of 16. Although DACA does not provide permanent residency, it does provide protection from deportation temporarily, work authorization, and the ability to apply for a social security number. DACA has been a highlight of many fearful residents nationwide since President Trump announced the termination of the program in 2017.

State Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle adds his remarks, “We have to pass because we have a senate that is in control of people who do not have empathy who will say this is not about race, but at the end of the day we know that it is and we call it like it is.”

Trump’s decision to end the immigration policy will be on thin ice Tuesday, as it has the potential to affect 700,000 Americans, 10,000 of those being in Oregon.

Supreme Court Justices will hear arguments concerning whether Trump’s decision to terminate DACA was lawful or not.

Elected officials in the Eugene community took this opportunity to hold a conference to spread the message and affirm that they not only support DACA but will fight to preserve the policy.

Rep. Peter Defazio spoke out on his support for immigration reform, “The support for Dreamers is in the upper 80s, some of Trump’s supporter base are agreeing for the relief of Dreamers because they know they surround their communities.”

Moreover, DACA student Cynthia Aguilar Arizmendi shares her insight when she took to the podium to spread the importance of the immigration policy. “This conversation is not about red or blue,” she says, “It’s that we are erasing the fact that there are people who will be affected by this.”

Senator, Ron Wyden goes on to add, “This is about a real and frightening threat they may be ripped away from their families and the only country they’ve ever known.”

The group continued to emphasize the importance of meetings like this not to just call for action form the senate, but from the Supreme court.  The debate surrounded the fate of DACA not only continues to spread throughout Oregon but across the country as well.