UC President Janet Napolitano files lawsuit against Trump administration for rescinding DACA

Byby Elissa Harrington KGO logo
Saturday, September 9, 2017
UC President Janet Napolitano files lawsuit against Trump administration for rescinding DACA
The University of California has sued the Trump administration over its decision to end a program protecting hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The University of California is suing President Trump, over his decision to end DACA.

VIDEO: Trump rescinding DACA program protecting young immigrants

UC President Janet Napolitano helped create the DACA immigration policy back when she was Secretary of Homeland Security. Now, she's suing to keep that program alive.

Napolitano announced Friday she and the UC system filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration.

It challenges the decision to rescind DACA which protects nearly 800,000 Dreamers.

RELATED: San Francisco officials plan to fight for Dreamers, DACA

"I'm outraged. I'm outraged on behalf of these young people," said Napolitano. "All of a sudden being told that in six months you could be subject to being deported from the United States, just imagine the uncertainty that throws you into."

The UC system has about 4,000 undocumented students.

Meng So counsels many of them at UC Berkeley.

"It has been a week of grief. Students are mad. Students are sad. Students are frustrated. But if there was one word to describe the student community it would be resilient. Even in the face of deportation they still find togetherness. They still find love," said So.

Harmeet Dhillon, an Attorney, and Republican National Committeewoman say the lawsuit brings up all sorts of legal issues.

"Sure these are all individuals they have dreams they have rights. But what are their rights? I think that's the issue," said Dhillon.

She adds all President Donald Trump wants to do by rescinding DACA is return to the status quo.

Click here for the latest stories about immigration.

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