While the U.S. Supreme Court weighed arguments about President Barack Obama’s immigration program on Monday morning, several dozen Rio Grande Valley residents held a rally in McAllen.
Coordinated by La Union del Pueblo Entero, ARISE and other pro-immigrant organizations, the rally at Bentsen Tower — home to the local federal court — underscored the high stakes for some Valley residents. They’re primarily concerned about family members.
Called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, the program and a related program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals would allow approximately 4 million people who aren’t legally present in the United States to avoid deportation, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Among them: Roberta Tello’s husband.
“My kids are always asking when they get out of school ‘Mommy, where’s dad? When is he coming home?'” Tello said, tears streaming down her face. “I want to be with my husband and my kids together so when my kids wake up every morning they see their dad.”
The Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling during June or July.
