L.A. demonstrators protest Trump’s decision to rescind DACA

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Protesters hit the streets across the US following Tuesday’s announcement that DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, is being rescinded.

In Los Angeles, protests immediately erupted. The city and the West Coast in general, is home to a large population of immigrants from across the world.

Although the majority of the nearly 800,000 DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” are from Mexico and Central America, close to 17,000 are believed to be from Asia. The number, however, could be higher.

Many among the community are afraid to publicly reveal their immigration status. But DACA’s repeal is bringing out Asian "dreamers" and their advocates, who are willing to speak out.

“My family immigrated here four generations ago, so a lot of these concerns and fears might not touch me immediately,” Kelsey Lino said. “But they affect everything in our community, and what America is.”

Hollywood is taking a stand too. Chinese American child actor Hudson Yang, star of “Fresh Off the Boat,” has released a video message.

Immigrants and supporters demonstrate holding signs during a rally in support of the DACA in front of the White House, September 5, 2017. /AFP Photo‍

“Everybody should be able to pursue their dreams and no family should be ripped apart,” Yang said in the video.

“That’s why we need to protect DACA. We also want to give a shout-out to all the documented individuals and Asian Americans out there. Let your voice be heard, don’t give up and keep up the good fight.”

According to the Department of Justice, DACA will be phased out in March of next year, and no new applications will be accepted. Trump is putting the responsibility to create legislation that replaces DACA squarely on the shoulders of Congress.

For "dreamers," many of whom have known no other country than the United States, the clock is now ticking. But they say they will keep up the fight. Not just for themselves, but for everyone who wants to live out the American Dream.