Obama Addresses Immigration Amid Nationwide Protests, Highlights DACA Legacy

Former President Barack Obama spoke out amid ongoing protests against President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, highlighting the 13th anniversary of his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Obama emphasized that DACA exemplifies how the U.S. can be both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws, protecting young immigrants who are American in every way but legal status. He called for fixing the broken immigration system with dignity and respect, criticizing the demonization of immigrant families affected by ICE raids and deportations under the Trump administration. The DACA program, launched in 2012, allows eligible undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children temporary protection from deportation and work permits, though it does not provide a path to citizenship and faces ongoing legal challenges. While Obama urged humane treatment and respect for immigrants, President Trump praised ICE officers for their enforcement efforts, reflecting the stark divide in immigration policy and public discourse. The debate continues as advocacy groups press for permanent legislative solutions to protect Dreamers amid intense political contention.