What is the current DACA situation?
1. Introduction The DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) situation is currently in a state of flux. The program, which was created by the Obama administration in 2012, allowed certain undocumented immigrants who had been brought to the United States as children to apply for a two-year period of deferred action from deportation. DACA recipients were also eligible for work permits and other benefits. In September 2017, the Trump administration announced that it would be ending the DACA program, but gave Congress a six-month window to pass legislation that would protect DACA recipients. That six-month period is set to expire on March 5, 2018, and it is still unclear what will happen to the approximately 800,000 young people who are currently protected by DACA. There have been a number of proposals put forth by lawmakers in both the House and the Senate, but so far no legislation has been able to pass. The most recent proposal, put forth by a group of bipartisan senators, would have provided a path to citizenship for DACA recipients in exchange for increased border security measures. However, that proposal was rejected by President Trump. It is still unclear what, if anything, will be done to protect DACA recipients before the March 5 deadline. The DACA situation has created a lot of uncertainty for the young people who are protected by the program. Many of them have lived in the United States for most of their lives and consider this country to be their home. They are now faced with the possibility of being deported to a country that they may not even remember. This is a difficult and scary time for many DACA recipients, and it is still unclear what the future will hold.
2. What is the current DACA situation?
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is an American immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit. DACA was created by the Obama administration through executive action in 2012 and rescinded by the Trump administration in 2017. However, in 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s decision to end the program was unlawful. As a result, the program has been reinstated and is currently accepting new applications. DACA recipients are often referred to as “Dreamers”, after the DREAM Act, a proposed but never enacted piece of legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants. There are an estimated 800,000 Dreamers in the United States. DACA recipients have access to work permits, driver’s licenses, and in-state college tuition. They are also shielded from deportation and are eligible for certain government benefits. The future of the DACA program is uncertain. The Trump administration has said that it plans to phase out the program, though it remains to be seen how this will be carried out. Congressional Democrats have proposed legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers, but it is unclear if this will gain enough support to pass.
3. How did we get here?
The current DACA situation is a result of the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind the program in September of 2017. This decision has been met with backlash from both sides of the aisle, with many people arguing that the program should be kept in place. The Trump Administration has argued that the program is unconstitutional and that it needs to be ended in order for Congress to pass legislation that would provide a permanent solution for those who are currently enrolled in DACA.
4. What does this mean for Dreamers?
There is currently a lot of uncertainty surrounding the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. The program, which has provided protection from deportation and work authorization to nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants, is currently being challenged in court. The Trump administration has attempted to end the program, but so far, multiple federal courts have ruled against them. The latest ruling, issued in December 2020, ordered the administration to restart the program. However, the future of the program is still very much up in the air. It is possible that the Supreme Court will eventually weigh in on the matter, and there is no guarantee that the program will remain in place even if they do not. This all means that Dreamers, the young people who have benefited from the DACA program, are living in a state of uncertainty. Many of them have jobs, families, and lives in the United States, and the possibility of being deported to a country they may not even remember is a very real fear. The best thing Dreamers can do right now is to stay informed about the latest developments and to contact their representatives to voice their support for the program.
5. What does this mean for the United States?
The Trump administration announced in September that it would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. This program has protected nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” from deportation. The administration has given Congress six months to come up with a legislative solution to replace DACA. What does this mean for the United States? For the nearly 800,000 young people who have benefited from DACA, this announcement means uncertainty and fear. They have lived in the United States for most of their lives and consider this their home. Many of them are in school or have jobs here. Now, they could be deported to a country that they may not even remember. This also means uncertainty for the businesses and schools that employ and educate these young people. There are already shortage of workers in many industries, and losing the Dreamers would only make this worse. And, of course, there is the human cost. Deporting these young people would tear families and communities apart. So what can be done? Congress needs to act quickly to pass legislation that will protect the Dreamers. This should be a bipartisan effort, as there are members of both parties who support the Dreamers. In the meantime, Dreamers should continue to live their lives and contribute to their communities. They have already been through enough.
6. Where do we go from here?
The current DACA situation is uncertain. The program is set to expire in March, and it is unclear if it will be renewed. There are many Dreamers who are anxious about their future and what will happen to them if the program is not renewed. There are a few options for Dreamers if the program is not renewed. They can try to apply for another type of visa, such as a student visa. They can also try to obtain legal status through other means, such as marriage to a US citizen. If the program is not renewed, it is possible that Dreamers will be deported back to their home countries. This is a scary prospect for many, as they may not have any family or support system in their home countries. There are a lot of unknowns at this point, but Dreamers are hopeful that the program will be renewed. They are fighting for their rights and for a chance to stay in the only country they have ever known.
