The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program became a United States trending topic on Twitter on Wednesday as supporters went online to advocate for the program under the #DefendDACA hashtag.
Why is #DACA is important to you?
Tweet your story and tell the world your fight to #DefendDACA. ✊ pic.twitter.com/VW8aKmotE5
— Rodrigo Huertas (@orrchards) July 19, 2017
Why is DACA important?
– DACA helped me get my Masters ???
– DACA helped me live without fear ??♂️ #DefendDACA https://t.co/TTN2gTMHq9
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) July 19, 2017
1 out of every 7 Asian immigrants are undocumented. We must #defendDACA and protect our immigrant communities. #HereToStay pic.twitter.com/ATJOcoFH6X
— CAPAC (@CAPAC) July 19, 2017
We won’t stand 4 young people being deported to countries they don’t know. We must protect immigrant youth & #defendDACA. #ProtectAndDefend
— UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS) July 19, 2017
No one should be afraid that they will be ripped apart from their home, family and community simply for being an immigrant #DefendDACA
— Planned Parenthood (@Latinos4PP) July 19, 2017
Many Democratic politicians also tweeted their support.
Ending DACA would be cruel and senseless – these young Dreamers contribute to our country and our state. #DefendDACA
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 19, 2017
There are over 222,500 #DACA recipients in California. DACA recipients in San Diego & their families are sharing their stories. #defendDACA pic.twitter.com/Z8sJ3RRng7
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) July 19, 2017
Congress needs to step up & pass comprehensive immigration reform. Until then, we must #defendDACA & protect hard-working young immigrants.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 19, 2017
I'll keep fighting to keep Connecticut immigrants brought here as kids from being deported. They make America stronger. #defendDACA
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 19, 2017
It was 7 years ago that I asked President Obama to create DACA – I’ll do everything in my power as a U.S. Senator to #defendDACA.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 19, 2017
Breaking up families is NOT the same as deporting criminals. #DACA-recipients have passed background checks & are #HereToStay. #DefendDACA
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 19, 2017
The #DefendDACA tweets happened the same day a report from McClatchy said that the White House would not support a bipartisan DREAM Act bill co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
“It’s enforcement first. Then we can get to all these other things,” said a White House official, according to McClatchy.
As expected with any trending topic, the hashtag also saw its share of opponents:
#defendDACA No, defend Americans instead.
This is our home, not a soup kitchen for people who couldn't cut it in Mexico. pic.twitter.com/HhpkJqMgPE
— RivalThoughts (@RivalThoughts) July 19, 2017
We will not #defendDACA. We will not have a #DreamAct. We will have a super majority in #SCOTUS and we will have a nation.
— Latitude of Mind (@LatitudeofMind) July 19, 2017
To all Protected by DACA always remember. This country belongs to us. Not you #defendDACA pic.twitter.com/cytD1xDlzn
— King ☝?Leopold (@Leopold_the_II) July 19, 2017
To all congress members tweeting #defendDACA you better get ready to #DefendYourSeat since you are committing political suicide.
— astra☆novae (@astranovae69) July 19, 2017