Immigration Action Rally Goes On In Denver Despite Judge's Ruling
DENVER (CBS4) - A federal judge put the brakes on President Obama's executive action on immigration that was supposed to take effect on Wednesday, but it didn't stop a group in Denver from holding a rally.
Texas District Judge Andrew Hanen said he issued the order to give the 26 states that oppose the rules time to pursue a lawsuit. Colorado has not taken a stance on the issue, but Denver is on a list of cities supporting the president's plan.
Daniela Villar-Real was barely a toddler when her parents brought her to the United States illegally.
"I grew up in Longmont," Villar-Real said. "This is all I know and this is where I grew up."
She wasn't aware of what her parents had done until she was into her teens.
"I think my parents for the longest time, they were just trying to protect me," she said.
But in 2012 she qualified for Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allowed her temporary legal status in the U.S.
"I can't even describe what I felt," Villar-Real said.
Now the college graduate is working to help her parents and others like them get legal status.
"We are moving forward regardless of the Texas judge's ruling," Villar-Real told a group at a celebration of immigration action held in Denver on Tuesday.
Organizers of the celebration said they're disappointed with the ruling, but it wasn't unexpected.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, one of 30 mayors across the country backing Obama, attended the rally.
"I want everyone here to know that I am proud to stand with you for what is right," Hancock said.
Supporters of the Texas judge are calling the ruling a win for the rule of law and say it's stopping an overreaching president. But critics in Colorado say it's just a matter of time.
"That's not going to stop us, we are going to keep moving forward," Villar-Real said.
The White House says the actions are within the president's legal authority. The matter now goes to a higher court to be decided, perhaps even the Supreme Court.
