Hold on to DACA
During Barack Obama’s presidency, Obama administered the program referred to as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
DACA is in favor for immigrants to stay in America.
This program was put in place for more than 800,000 immigrants to be deferred from deportation, given these individuals meet the requirements to be considered under DACA.
As President Donald Trump took office, DACA has been scrutinized and debated on.
Trump’s administration has talked about plans to phase out DACA, which pardons undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.
Currently, DACA is under review for its Dream Act component.
The Dream Act has enabled immigrants to claim legal status. The only downside is the potential takeaway calls for renewal, or loss of status.
DACA recipients are now worrying about how Trump’s decision will affect their lives and where their fate stands.
Not to mention it is even harder for immigrants to work with the constant worry of potential deportation.
This anticipation is like waiting in line to receive concert tickets for a band you are dying to see. You wait and wait, and surly hope for the best.
The issue was taken to court where lawmakers decided on a bipartisan proposal. The two parties were split in decision over the Dreamers. If the House possessed a split in party lines, it will resolve nothing but a cloudy idea as to what direction Congress will take.
The outcome may result in two drastically different directions.
With DACA put to an end, this will affect many undocumented immigrants who claimed status under the program to build a life in America. Not only do these immigrants call America home, but many call Texas home.
All have chosen to come to America for an opportunity, whether it be work, education, family or lifestyle. Many job losses will occur and families will lose loved ones who may not get to stay in the US without DACA to help.
In the mean time, DACA recipients must currently preserve work permits to protect themselves from deportation while the process of ending the program is scrutinized.
Trump has already moved forward on getting rid of recipients who have not renewed their permits to continue working. The rug is being swept out from under 800,000 individuals who face deportation.
How can someone who has lived in America and create a steady life for themselves, now face sudden deportation from the very program that supported them?
It’s hard to think about the 800,000 individuals affected, and these decisions are happening now as we speak.
As we all go about our days, hundreds of thousands of individuals are losing their jobs, families and loved ones.
Featured Image: Illustration by Gabby Evans
this sucks