‘To all dreamers’: Chicago mayor declares city a ‘Trump-free zone’
As the President of the United States, Donald Trump, sends hundreds of thousands of families into turmoil following his decision to end protection for the children of undocumented immigrants, the Mayor of Chicago has reached out to those affected – individuals known as 'Dreamers'.
With tensions running high over Trump's recent decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy, Rahm Emmanuel asserted that he does not support the move, and insisted that so-called Dreamers were welcome and safe in Chicago.
Speaking to those who benefited from the DACA policy, which was introduced in 2012, at Chicago's Solorio Academy High School this week, the mayor insisted that Trump's move to end protection for dreamers was not something he nor the city of Chicago would tolerate.
"To all the Dreamers that are here in this room and the city of Chicago: you are welcome in the city of Chicago. This is your home and you have nothing to worry about."
With countless young people distraught over the announcement that their opportunities in the United States are no longer available to them, Mayor Emmanuel sought to provide support and reassurance.
"Chicago, our schools, our neighborhoods, our city, as it relates to what President Trump said, will be a Trump-free zone."
"You have nothing to worry about. And I want you to know this, and I want your families to know this. And rest assured, I want you to come to school … and pursue your dreams," he said.
DACA allows certain illegal immigrants, who entered the country as minors, to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.