Brazilian Cape Codders React to Amnesty Order

immigrationDENNIS – Debate continues over President Obama’s executive action on immigration but many immigrants on the Cape are beginning to move forward to avoid possible deportation.

Dennisport resident Alex Dacunha is the president of Professionals of Cape Cod, a group of Brazilian business owners.

Dacunha believes there may be between 2,000 to 3,000 Brazilians on the Cape who will be affected by the Executive Order.

He said some of them have begun seeking the services of attorneys to file paperwork in an attempt to apply for amnesty.

“I have even family members who have been here for 20 years or so. They have a child here and they have no place to go back to because everything they have is here,” he said.

He said Brazilians he knows who would benefit from the amnesty order are looking forward to gaining legal status.

“They just have been so careful for so many years because they don’t know what is going to happen. Now they can breathe better. They feel for awhile now maybe something’s going to happen, and we are going to be able to finally stay here officially,” he said.

Dacunha is also a members of a relatively new organization, the Brazilian New England Chamber of Commerce.

He said the Brazilians on the Cape want to show they are productive members of the community.

“They can show, ‘listen, I’m not here to collect welfare. I’m here to make better. I’m paying taxes. I’m trying to create jobs and I can even do more if you just let me do it,” he said.

President Obama defended his immigration executive actions Tuesday and called on Republicans to pass a comprehensive immigration system overhaul.



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