Thousands of Kids Walk Out of School in Support of DACA

Thousands of Los Angeles school students are expected in downtown LA for a big rally this morning — in support of Recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration program.

Supporters of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights will hold a series of actions in support of the DACA program today ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court's hearing of oral arguments in a case challenging the possible cancellation of the program.

Supervisor @HildaSolis speaking about what #DACA recipients contribute in taxes. #LosAngeles @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/RJYsAV9Az9

DACA was created in 2012 by President Obama after Congress failed to pass the Dream Act. 

The Trump administration attempted to close down the DACA program, which impacts some 800,000 young people, ages 18 to 25 who were brought to the U.S. as children. The administration was hoping to use its executive power in September 2017.

The Supreme Court's conservative majority appears to be leaning toward allowing the Trump administration to end DACA. 

#DACA arguments have ended. Reaction now. Student #demonstrations expected around 10am. Live updates @KNX1070 #walkouts #Dreamers https://t.co/cOirJrkiB4

There did not appear to be any support among the five conservatives for the challengers to the administration's decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. It currently protects an estimated 660,000 immigrants who came to the United States as children.

Several justices indicated that the administration has provided a sufficient reason for wanting to do away with the program or that courts should not be reviewing the executive branch's discretionary decisions.

The high court's decision is expected by June, at the height of the 2020 presidential campaign.

The Supreme Court ruling, which is not expected to be made until next summer, could drastically change the deportation and work status of DACA recipients. Justices will be asked to look at whether the Trump administration's decision to rescind the program was legally justified.

At 10 a.m. students will stage walkouts at Garfield, Warren, Academia, Avance, Marshall, and other high school campuses.

At 11 a.m. a rally with students and members of the public will take place at the Molecule Man sculpture at the Federal Building on East Temple Street in Little Tokyo.

At 12:15 this afternoon rally participants will march to MacArthur Park, and at 3:00 p.m, an information fair, rally and concert will be staged at the Levitt Pavillion in MacArthur Park.

President Trump tweeted Tuesday about DACA and the Supreme Court Case. 

Many of the people in DACA, no longer very young, are far from "angels." Some are very tough, hardened criminals. President Obama said he had no legal right to sign order, but would anyway. If Supreme Court remedies with overturn, a deal will be made with Dems for them to stay!

Los Angeles Unified School District staff said the district will excuse student absences for the rally if a parent or guardian checks them out, citing the event's 'educational component.'

Associated press contributed to this story.