Rally Focuses on Undocumented Children
Undocumented immigrants living on the West Coast who were brought here as children were in Salem yesterday (Monday) to defend their legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program. Attorneys general from ten states plan to file a lawsuit against DACA on September 5th, and the Trump administration has still not decided whether it will defend the program. That puts nearly 800-thousand young people on edge – including Zaira Flores, coordinator of the Oregon DACA Coalition, who says they’re eager to share their stories.
“My life just has completely changed around. I went from being a college kid with really little money and no hope, to being a full-time worker with a family, and giving ourselves, like, a roof over our table.”
DACA status allows recipients to apply for immigration-enforcement deferrals every two years, so they can live, study and work in the U-S, as long as they meet certain criteria and don’t commit any crimes. President Donald Trump had campaigned against DACA but most recently has defended the program. Flores, who has been in Oregon since she was six, says she’s built a life here that would be very hard to leave.
“Not being able to be here is heartbreaking, because being an American is not just paperwork. Being an American is more than that.”
The group plans another rally today in Salem.
Missing Persons Update
Dallas Police are still looking for information regarding Heather Davison. She went missing on Saturday. Her 2008 chevy Cobalt was found parked on the side of highway 101 at milepost 180. Family and friends have been inundating social media with information that might help authorities locate her. They have set up a Help us Find Heather facebook page. There have been some erroneous reports that Davison had been found, but according to the social media site those reports are not accurate. We also have a corrected description. Ms. Davison is 5 feet 3 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes and 140 pounds. After scouring the area where her car was found, authorities were unable to find any evidence as to what might have happened. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Florence Police or the Dallas, Oregon police.
Coast Guard Celebrates City
Tomorrow is the day the city celebrates its Coast Guard City Designation. The official program begins at 11 am at the Florence Event Center and will last about an hour. The designation also marks the 100th year that the U.S. Coast Guard has served the city of Florence. 23 other cities across the nation have received this honor from the Coast Guard. Mayor Joe Henry is expected to say a few words and there will be refreshments. Doors open at the Event Center at 10:30
