Arkansans hit by program's end protest in front of White House

WASHINGTON -- Arkansans protested in front of the White House on Tuesday morning, urging President Donald Trump to create a pathway to permanent legal status for them and thousands of others who were brought to the United States illegally.

After hearing that the Trump administration would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the Arkansans called on Congress to pass legislation so they can remain in the country they consider their home.

Members of the state's congressional delegation sided with the Trump administration, though they expressed a willingness to consider new immigration legislation.

Jairo Reyes, 25, is a native of Mexico but said he doesn't know the land of his birth.

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"When I left, I was 1 year old and I haven't been back," the Rogers man said.

Reyes, who has lived in Northwest Arkansas for 24 years, said his father told him what it was like to eke out a living south of the Rio Grande.

Opportunities are few and wages are low, he was told.

"A dollar an hour. No vacation. No sick days. No retirement. Nothing like that," he said.

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Reyes said he and others like him want to remain in the United States and to live without the fear of deportation.

"We just want to work," the 2014 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville graduate said. "You know, we just want a better life. We want to live the American dream."

Another activist, Ana Karen Garcia of Fayetteville, said she's also trying to achieve the American dream.

For her and other so-called dreamers, America is home, she said. "We grew up here. We grew up doing the Pledge of Allegiance."

If she were deported to Mexico, "I wouldn't know what to do," Garcia, 25, said. "I've never been [back] to Mexico. I have no recollection of ever even being there."

Diego Quinones, 27, who moved to the United States from Mexico at age 7, told journalists that people of faith should defend immigrants.

"Arkansas is a conservative state. We pride ourselves on Christian values. And if one is to look at the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, it's a message of love, compassion, forgiveness, respect," the Bentonville man said. "If we want to be a kind and forgiving nation, we need to find a permanent path for immigrants to come out of the shadows."

On Tuesday, Arkansas lawmakers issued written statements portraying the program -- which was created by executive action -- as an unconstitutional usurpation by then-President Barack Obama.

But they also expressed a willingness to consider legislative changes.

"My colleagues and I are committed to improving our broken immigration system compassionately and thoughtfully to ensure that those coming to our country can easily comply with our laws in order to pursue a bright and promising future," said U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman said Congress should address the problem.

"It is my hope that we construct a fair and just legislative solution to this issue that affects many aspects of our society and many people who live here," the Hot Springs Republican said.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack said the current immigration system is broken and that Congress needs to fix it.

"With thoughtful debate, jobs can be protected, lawful immigration can be championed, and the proper relief can come for the young people who know only America as their country and who continue to work hard to achieve that American dream," the Republican from Rogers said.

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford said it's important for Congress to set the right priorities. "Any immigration reform policy Congress takes up must first strengthen border security and then address the illegal immigrants already here, to do otherwise would be treating a symptom instead of the root problem," the Republican from Jonesboro said.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton warned that "codifying the DACA program will have two negative consequences: encouraging future illegal immigration with minors and allowing those 800,000 people to obtain legal status for their family members via chain migration."

The Republican from Dardanelle touted his own legislation, which would prevent future immigrants from bringing their siblings, adult children and some others to live in the U.S.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman said Trump's decision to end the program would help "restore the integrity of our nation's immigration system."

"As Congress pursues immigration reform, I will push for legislative solutions to fix our broken immigration system, including the lengthy and burdensome legal immigration process," the Republican from Rogers said.

A Section on 09/06/2017