Students gathered Tuesday at Palomar College in San Marcos to show support and unity for the DACA program.
"This administration is trying to scare communities using racism and xenophobia," said Ismael Blas, who helped to organize Tuesday's rally. "It’s not going to work. We’re still here.”
Blas is a student at the college located approximately 50 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Because the university does not release immigration status of students, it's difficult to determine how many students are affected.
DACA, or the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program, was started in 2012 under President Barack Obama. The program was designed to protect undocumented immigrants brought into this country as minors from deportation.
About 800,000 undocumented immigrants fall under DACA. Each must have been 30 or younger when the program was launched and brought to the U.S. before age 16.
President Donald Trump vowed to end DACA as one of his campaign promises. On Tuesday, he announced the program would be rescinded with a six-month delay intended to give Congress the time to pass legislation.
Many of those who voted for President Trump support the decision.
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"We need to end it permanently, forever," said Vinitia Trivedi, who lives in San Diego. "Because I work. I'm an immigrant too; Forty years ago I came here with a green card and I started working the first day. So I want everybody to be like me.”
In a statement, Palomar College President Dr. Joi Lin Blake said the university was committed to serving students who meet the minimum requirements for admission, "regardless of immigration status."
The university has also brought counselors on campus to meet with students who may be affected.
Other local colleges expressed support for those students concerned over the end of the DACA program.
The San Diego Community College District said there are at least 466 students who fall under the DACA program at San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, and San Diego Continuing Education.
