Undocumented Activists Seek Meeting with Obama

Many remain skeptical that immigration enforcement will change.

By Aura Bogado Mar 26, 2014

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson met with several immigrant rights group’s representatives Tuesday, following President Obama’s call for a review to conduct enforcement "more humanely." While some groups remain hopeful that the Obama administration’s detention and deportation record may change under Secretary Johnson, others are skeptical. 

Among those that attended was Tania Unzueta, who works with the National Day Labor Organizing Network. Unzueta, who was the only undocumented person present at the meeting, says she’s unsure whether the meeting was called to truly change immigration enforcement practices, or to prevent changes from happening.

Unzueta has temporary relief from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and would like to see that policy extended to more undocumented immigrants (DACA is now limited according to age and other restrictions). She’s also part of a group of 25 undocumented people who have formed a commission and is now demanding a meeting with Obama. "Instead of participating in the pageantry of the meeting, I asked for a conversation with the President on behalf of the Blue Ribbon Commission of undocumented leaders that formed in response to his review," says Unzueta.