“Sí, se puede,” “Immigrants are here to stay” and “This is what democracy looks like” were chanted from the steps of the Capitol Tuesday. Protesters gathered across the country in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program as the U.S. Supreme Court begins their hearing of its case.
Madison protesters expressed themes of community and togetherness in support of DACA, the Obama-era executive order that allows undocumented people brought into the United States as children the opportunity to work and be spared deportation.
President Trump announced he would cut the program in 2017. Now two years later, the matter is being heard by the Supreme Court.
Before walking into the Capitol building, Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, shared her support for Dreamers, addressing the crowd gathered in below-freezing weather.
“We will not be successful as a state without the Dreamers. No one should have to live in fear. This is your home, you are Wisconsin children. You deserve every right, every opportunity, that is currently enjoyed by Wisconsinites,” Taylor said. “You are our friends, you are our loved ones, you are our neighbors, you are our community.”
The crowd then moved inside the building, gathering around the rotunda. They listened to speeches by legislators, DACA recipients and allies testifying for DACA. Each shared personal stories about the importance of the program for their lives.
Shiva Bidar, president of the Madison City Common Council, shared her immigration story from Iran.
“As an immigrant myself, as somebody that has gone through many of the experiences that you have as an immigrant, I know sometimes the road ahead seems like a long road, but we are here together.” Bidar said.
Those who are not personally impacted, like Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, voiced support and disproved of other political leaders who do not believe in the constitutionality of DACA.
“Regardless of how we got here, we know that we are stronger when we are together,” Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, said. “Every child has the ability and the right to go to school and to dream about their future, to dream about what it is that they can do, and it is really unfortunate that we have a president and we have lawmakers who are deaf to your dreams.”
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