Immigrants and activists rally in Chicago for a ‘clean’ Dream Act

Organizations working for immigrants and refugees led the Rally to Defend Immigrants at Daley Plaza.

By Eunice Wang
Medill Reports

Several hundred people from different communities rallied in Daley Plaza on Jan. 17 in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 200,000 Salvadorans. They also called for leaders to pass the Clean DREAM Act, a bill that would offer a permanent solution for immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children.

“We are here today to say to the Congress, to hear our voices, and hear us loud and clear. We want a Clean DREAM Act,” said Daysi Funes, board member of the Illinois Coalition of Immigrants and Refugee Rights and a speaker at the rally.

As part of a deal to end a government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised to take up the issue as Congress continues to work on a budget deal before a Feb. 8 deadline.

Photo at top: Organizations working for immigrants and refugees led the Rally to Defend Immigrants at Daley Plaza in Chicago. Jan. 17, 2018. (Eunice Wang/MEDILL)