DACA in limbo as Trump and lawmakers point fingers

<p>Young immigrants on Long Island and around the country are living in limbo as they await action by lawmakers on DACA.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 15, 2018, 10:26 PM

Updated 2,298 days ago

Share:

Young immigrants on Long Island and around the country are living in limbo as they await action by lawmakers on DACA, the program that protects immigrants brought to the country illegally as children from deportation.
President Donald Trump announced the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program back in September, sparking protests around the country. A federal court temporarily has blocked the president's action, and over the weekend, the government resumed accepting DACA renewal applications. But there's still no long-term plan in place, and the president and lawmakers have so far been unable to agree on a deal.
President Trump blames Democratic lawmakers, tweeting Sunday morning that DACA is "probably dead."
“The folks from DACA should know the Democrats are the ones that aren't going to make a deal,” Trump told reporters.
Senate Democrats point the finger back at Trump, saying that there's a bipartisan deal on the table for the so-called Dreamers that also adds funding for border security.Trump last week rejected a DACA deal drafted by a bipartisan group of senators. The deal included a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and $1.6 billion for border security, including Trump's promised border wall.
Long Islanders have expressed mixed views on how DACA should be addressed.
"I just think that anyone who comes here illegally shouldn't be here, and that bothers me," one resident told News 12.
DACA recipient Jenny Salinas was brought to the U.S. illegally by her parents from Ecuador when she was 10 years old. In 2014, she got DACA status and she's currently working legally in the country as a paralegal.
"I pay taxes, and I try to pay every due that I need to," she says. "I want to get a degree here. I know in my country, I will never get to that point."
She has a message for the president and those who don't support DACA. "We're here to help the economy, the country, and we want what's best for the country," Salinas says.
Some Democrats have threatened to vote against legislation to extend government funding, which expires on Friday, unless protections for the Dreamers are included.
Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

2:07
Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

Summer feeling today in New Jersey with temps in the mid-80s; cooler weather arrives Friday

0:29
Rutgers New Brunswick cancels some final exams due to ‘anticipated escalation of protest activities’

Rutgers New Brunswick cancels some final exams due to ‘anticipated escalation of protest activities’

1:53
News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

News 12 beats the heat today at Long Branch beach

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between Exits 15 and 14

Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between Exits 15 and 14

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

1:01
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River