This week marks the ninth anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA recipients (immigrants brought to the country as children – often known as ‘Dreamers’) describe feeling a deep sense of relief at being able to obtain protection against deportation and talk about the doors the program has opened for them to build careers, homes, lives and families in the country they call home.
However, the past nine years have also been full of turmoil and uncertainty for Dreamers – with the temporary nature of DACA relief leaving them in limbo. Facing ongoing legal challenges to DACA and continuing congressional inaction on a permanent solution, Dreamers’ destinies remain a political .
Dreamers have been essential to our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, nearly 30,DACA recipients work in health care across the U.S., caring for our communities during a global pandemic.
Almost 15,000 Dreamers are teachers, pivoting from in-person to virtual learning during unprecedented times. And more than 140,000 have worked in food-related occupations or industries – keeping food on our tables.
Dreamers are our neighbors, co-workers and fellow parishioners. Passing a permanent solution for Dreamers isn’t just great for our communities, it’s also incredibly popular. Nearly three-quarters of Americans support a permanent legislative solution. After nine years, it’s time to this continuing uncertainty for Dreamers. Tell your Senators to pass a
permanent solution now.
Thanks for all you do for Dreamers,
Adam Estle
Vice President of Field & Constituencies
National Immigration Forum
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