DACA’s Future Is Still Uncertain
Good afternoon,
On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, an executive action that provides temporary protection from deportation and access to other opportunities, such as work authorization, for hundreds of thousands of people who came to the United States as young undocumented
immigrants.
Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the creation of the DACA program. Yet, DACA recipients are still living in limbo as they await a federal judge’s ruling on the legality of the program. In 2021, Judge Andrew Hanen, who serves at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, ruled that DACA was unlawful after the state of Texas (and others) argued that DACA recipients are a burden on public schools and the health care system. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) disagreed, leading to an appeal.
Nearly 600,000 DACA recipients face uncertainty as they await yet another decision in Texas courts if the program can withstand legal
scrutiny.
"[Dreamers] are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper," President Obama said in 2012. He argued that this temporary stopgap measure would lift the shadow of deportation from these young people and make immigration policy more fair, more efficient, and more just.
Congress has yet to act to move forward and find solutions for those who face an existential threat in the courts. A permanent solution for Dreamers and DACA recipients is urgent. Policy makers on both sides of the aisle should find ways to protect a population that lacks access to pathways that would allow them to live and work legally in the United States, where they grew up, a place they call home.
DACA has helped more than 800,000 young people build careers and families in the United States. Since its launch, its recipients have contributed $108 billion in wages to the U.S. economy. DACA recipients work in food services, hospitality, retail, education, health care,
technology, and more.
Source: National Immigration Forum
Americans support bipartisan legislation that would offer stability to DACA recipients and their employers, as well as other Dreamers. Every day, Dreamers make our economy, communities, and nation stronger. It is long overdue to provide them with the certainty and legal stability they need and deserve.
Eleven years after this program’s inception, the National Immigration Forum continues to call upon Congress to enact a permanent solution for Dreamers. We hope you remain in this fight with us, advocating for fair and just immigration policies.
Stay hopeful and committed,
Oula Alrifai
Oula Alrifai
Assistant Vice President of Field & Constituencies
National Immigration Forum
NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:
ABC NEWS: DACA recipients leaving US, disheartened by legal limbo
NEW YORK TIMES: Biden Names Border Patrol Chief as Immigration Policies Draw Scrutiny
NPR: New U.S. immigration rules send asylum requests soaring in Mexico
ABC NEWS: Costa Rica-US immigration agreement aims to manage region's flows
REUTERS: U.S. to renew deportation relief for more than 300,000 immigrants
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