POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Utah ‘dreamers’ applaud Supreme Court’s decision on DACA

Jun 18, 2020, 7:04 PM

Dreamers Utah DACA...

(People outside the Supreme Court, supporting the DACA program. Credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP Photo)

(People outside the Supreme Court, supporting the DACA program. Credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP Photo)

SALT LAKE CITY – ‘Dreamers’ in Utah say they’re over the moon over the Supreme Court’s decision preventing the Trump Administration from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.  However, they say the federal government still has a massive amount of work left to do if they want to reform the immigration system

Yesenia Timoteo is Utah Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens.  She’s also a “dreamer.”  She was brought to the United States by her parents when she was three years old.  Under DACA, she was protected from deportation as long as she keeps registering for that protection every two years, she doesn’t pose a risk to national security and if she doesn’t get convicted of a felony.

When she heard about the high court’s decision, she says she and her mom “ugly cried” because emotions were so intense.

“All I could do is feel the tears coming down my face.  Tears of joy, of sadness.  I was just full of emotion and I couldn’t really process everything,” she says.

She was especially happy after learning DACA was restored to how it was originally drafted when President Obama signed it.  That means “dreamers” will be able to visit family members and accept internships outside of the country.

Timoteo says, “It’s amazing because that means a lot more people are going to be able to apply for it.”

The ruling is getting high praise from Utah Democrats.  Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill issued a statement, calling it a good policy for the safety of all communities.

Gill states, “Today’s ruling continues to uphold the recognition and protections afforded to some 650 thousand people across America whose only crime was that they were young and innocent when their parents came to this country. This ruling also affirms the need for an open and trusting relationship with local law enforcement. Otherwise, individuals are subjected to violence and exploitation if they are left in the shadows.”

Representative Ben McAdams issued a statement, calling the ruling an important but “temporary reprieve.”

It reads, “The individuals known as Dreamers are our classmates, our coworkers, our neighbors and members of our congregations. Brought here as young children, this is the only home most of them have ever known. They are working, serving in the military, enrolled in college, and are giving back to the community. The Supreme Court ruling today is welcome news that for now, they will be able to continue their lives.”

Other advocates say DACA was never meant to be a permanent immigration reform measure.  Community activist Antonella Packard supports DACA, but she thinks President Trump’s efforts to end the program could have been a catalyst to make significant immigration reform in Washington D.C.  However, that didn’t happen.

“Senator [Orrin] Hatch was behind what was the Dream Act.  This should actually have been something that should have been resolved in Congress, and it still needs to be,” she says.  “I hope that people can see that there is bipartisan support in order to find a more permanent solution.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

Rep Phil Lyman shown, lyman dei comments came under scrutiny...

Emma Keddington

Rep. Phil Lyman defends post correlating DEI policies with Baltimore bridge collapse

Rep. Phil Lyman is defending a post made Tuesday, that said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies had something to do with the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

21 hours ago

Former senator Joseph Lieberman...

Jake Tapper, CNN

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, according to a statement from his family.

2 days ago

rep phil lyman shown, he made comments about the bridge collapse in maryland...

Heather Peterson

LISTEN: Utah Rep. Phil Lyman blames Baltimore bridge collapse on DEI

Rep. Phil Lyman said the bridge collapse is because of "governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens."

2 days ago

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 4: A view of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday morning January 4, 2024 in...

MARK SHERMAN

Supreme Court again confronts the issue of abortion, this time over access to widely used pill

Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states, abortion opponents on Tuesday will ask the high court to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to the medication mifepristone, which was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States last year.

3 days ago

File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Instagram has star...

Associated Press

New Instagram feature limits display of political content

Instagram has started an automatic clamp down on the amount of political content appearing in its users' feeds.

4 days ago

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene...

Manu Raju, Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer and Kristin Wilson, CNN

Marjorie Taylor Greene files surprise motion to oust Speaker Johnson, a sign of growing revolt from the right

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion, seeking to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his position.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Utah ‘dreamers’ applaud Supreme Court’s decision on DACA