Tuesday marked a "Day of Action" as dozens of rallies were held nationwide in support of President Obama's executive action allowing undocumented parents temporary deportation relief.
May 19th was supposed to be the date the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program, or DAPA, took effect. Instead, a lawsuit filed by 26 states last February led a Texas judge to temporarily freeze the application process, leaving in jeopardy the future of numerous undocumented families living in the United States.
"Millions of immigrants had hoped that today would be the day they could come out of the shadows and put the fear of deportation behind them," said Rocio Saenz, executive vice president of progress labor group SEIU International, in speaking with NBC News. "That's not happening now."
There are about 3.7 million undocumented individuals who meet DAPA requirements. Eligible applicants must be parents of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, have continually lived in the country since January 1, 1990, and must not have any felonies and some types of misdemeanors on their record.
"At rallies, petition delivers, and press conferences across the country, pro-reform supporters will join together to demand an end to the Republican-driven lawsuit currently blocking the implementation," read an Alliance for Citizenship press release, adding that they have to "remind politicians and 2016 presidential hopefuls what's at stake for millions of American families on this issue."
Over 30 events schedules across the country stretched from a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting to a scheduled vigil and "Rally to Stop Deportations" in South Florida.
Protestors in New York City - which included La Fuente and New York Immigration Coalition - chanted "What do we want? DAPA! When? Now!" as they gathered in lower Manhattan. Conversely, about half a dozen counter protestors held up signs reading "Deport illegals."
DAPA opponents argue that the program would deal a detrimental blow to the economy by granting undocumented immigrants access to welfare programs, depending on the state. GOP lawmakers deemed Obama's action unconstitutional and claimed some of polices were already in place before the February 2015 start date.
A report released by the left-leaning Center for America Progress on Tuesday said DAPA would lead to an $88 million income for Americans while adding over 20,000 jobs per year over the next 10 years.
Last week, 113 Republicans - including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz - signed an amicus brief arguing the injunction should stay in place while the courts weight the case.