Congressman Gutierrez holds town hall to discuss immigration, DACA

Immigration and looming deportation deadlines were on the minds of many Thursday night on the west side who attended a congressman's town hall.

About half of the auditorium at Roberto Clemente Community Academy was filled. Community members gathered to talk about all sorts of issues, but at the top of the ticket was immigration and DACA.

"It's hard and it's sad because the country that I know, that i live in is just kicking me out just like that,” said 26-year-old Jose Ibarra.

“We grew up here and this is the only country we know,” said Nancy Ibarra.

Siblings Jose and Nancy Ibarra are both DACA recipients and attended the town hall Thursday night sponsored by Congressman Luis Gutierrez.

There were questions and answers, many about DACA - the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which is a frightening topic for many fearing deportation.

"I invited doctors, school teachers, Chicago public school teachers and I understand why they didn't come - they are fearful,” Guiterrez said.

Just last week, President Trump announced the end of the Obama-era program that protects 800-thosuand young adults brought to the U.S. illegally when they were kids.

“This president has failed to tell the truth to the American people during his campaign and during his presidency,” Guiterrez said.

And now, more confusion about a Wednesday night meeting between the president and top Democratic leaders who say they came to an agreement that would "enshrine protections of DACA and work out a package on border security excluding the wall."

But on Twitter, the president clarified "no deal was made last night on DACA and the border wall which is already under construction (and) will continue to be built"

For now, DACA recipients sit and wait-hoping they don't have to go back into the shadows - appreciative of the DACA put in place 5 years ago.

“Now that I have it, it feels great because I know that I can move around and provide not just for me in school, but also for my family,” Nancy said.

The congressman says there are 150-thousand DACA recipients whose state will expire in the next six months. They must reapply in the next two weeks.

He says don't be fearful - come to his office and he and his staff will help.