One local organization is doing a fast chain as a response to the temporary halt on deferred action.
La Union del Pueblo Entero is in the middle of off a 40-day rolling fast.
Participants are fasting for periods of 24-hour periods each.
The only way they will stop is if the injunction against administrative relief is lifted.
Dozens of people gathered Wednesday morning to start a 40-day rolling fast to protest in response to the U.S. District Judge Hanen’s ruling against deferred action.
"A little bit shocking and heartbreaking, but today I’m a little bit more optimistic," said Doris Lara, a protestor.
On the day Lara was set to apply for Obama’s extended deferred action for childhood arrivals, she’s joining the fast chain movement instead.
President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals would spare Lara and millions of unauthorized immigrants from deportation.
Returning to Mexico is simply not an option for Lara.
"I don’t know what I would do. I guess ty to come back find a way to come back. I have my friends here, I have my children, I went to school here, and everything is here.
Meanwhile, students at University of Texas Pan American were busy raising awareness about the program and the benefits that it brings to the community.
“I’ve been able to help out my family, work in different jobs, and it opened many doors for me. It also made it very easy for me to come to school this is my third year here on campus,” said Abraham Diaz, a student who qualified for DACA in 2012.
A program that Lara dreams one day will work for her.
“Maybe it will get overturned and i can still apply,” Lara said.
The fast chain is set to continue until March 28, 2014 on the same day of LUPE’s annual Cesar Chavez March.
At the end of the fast, activist will once again call on congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform.
