President-elect Donald Trump is apparently softening his stance on immigration.
But some, like Itzel Guillen aren't buying it.
Guillen, 22, is a senior at San Diego State University majoring in Political Science. She was born in Mexico City, and brought to the U.S., illegally, when she was four-years old.
Guillen currently has legal status through the federal DACA program established by President Obama in 2012.
But during the presidential election campaign, Trump vowed to abolish the program, which provides temporary legal status for certain undocumented young people.
This week, President-elect Trump appeared to be softening his stance when he told Time Magazine he would "work something out" with DACA participants.
But Guillen isn’t quite convinced.
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“For a lack of a better word, he was very hateful,” said Guillen. “His words can now be a reality. So in the immigrant community there’s a pretty big fear about what could happen in the next four years. Just because he seemed to be softening up, I don’t think that changes a lot of the fear that he’s already ignited.”
But attorney Dean Broyles with the National Center for Law & Policy sees things differently. He says Trump is showing understanding and compassion by softening his position. Broyles doesn’t feel the DACA program is a priority in Trump’s immigration reform plan.
“I think he’s listening to people and rethinking a position when it may not have been well thought through in the first place is a good idea,” said Broyles.
Guillen works at Alliance San Diego, an organization that provides legal resources to immigrants. She says she’s still fearful, but the debate has forced the immigrant community to unite, and is encouraging people to seek out advice and guidance on the issue.
