Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

One of the most important immigrant groups in the United States and one of the most significant policies of the Obama administration is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The status of the DACA program faces constant challenges in government, with no permanent solution or path to citizenship existing for the hundreds of thousands of individuals it protects. The United States should implement a policy for remaining recipients and provide a clear naturalization path, or grant permanent residency through green cards.  

In 2012, President Barack Obama created the DACA program to protect eligible immigrant youth who came to the United States with their families. DACA allows recipients to work, apply for a driver’s license, and attend college. With DACA, undocumented immigrants have a known and recognized presence in the United States that temporarily protects them from deportation. Yet, they hold no permanent residency status, nor can they apply for visas or green cards. 

The pathway to extrication from the DACA status relies on having a U.S. citizen spouse or relative who can petition on the recipient’s behalf. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), there are over 600,000 current DACA recipients. President Donald Trump announced in 2018 that he wanted to discontinue the DACA program. In 2020, the Supreme Court overturned Trump’s decision to terminate DACA yet made no efforts to propose a more permanent solution. In 2021, a Federal District Court in Texas found DACA “illegal,” which sparked further distress and confusion on the program’s status. 

Currently, DACA is in limbo. As of October 31, 2022, USCIS is not processing new applications, only renewals. President Biden wants to fortify DACA, but with a divided Congress, it is difficult to say where the future of DACA stands. President Obama intended the program to be temporary, yet no significant progress has been made in the last ten years since its establishment. It is an appropriate time to secure the immigration status of DACA recipients through a concrete and natural track to citizenship. 

Immigration reform is a political, social, and economic issue in the United States. Politically, Republicans and Democrats are divided on the issue of immigration. In recent years, the media has portrayed the Democratic Party as more progressive and supportive of immigration compared to the Republican Party. In the past, the parties have been able to compromise and reach a consensus to create bipartisan legislation. For example, Marco Rubio, a Republican, has worked with Democrats on immigration reform before. However, immigration should not be a party issue but an American one. 

Demographically, immigrants make up 14 percent of the population. Many DACA recipients came to the United States by their parents’ will and do not remember their lives abroad, primarily because they never experienced a life outside the U.S. The United States is their home, yet they cannot vote, travel abroad, or receive federal aid. Regardless of their disenfranchisement, these individuals have integrated into society as our classmates, fellow employees, friends, and loved ones. 

Economically, immigration fuels the U.S. economy. The Migration Policy Institute reports, “DACA holders contribute nearly $42 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product each year and add $3.4 billion to the federal balance sheet”. Their economic contribution is invaluable. 

Many Americans incorrectly view migration as an invasion and national security threat; there is a perceived threat of more job competition, population increases, and the integration of new cultures. The perception is that rather than labor opportunities going to American citizens, they are going to immigrants. Yet, these claims are not research-backed and are therefore not valid concerning DACA. 

DACA specifically supports the younger generations. These children come from families who may have migrated for reasons like better opportunities or more financial stability. To ensure a spotless record, they must endure countless background checks, fingerprint tests, and an entire verification process. 

Xenophobia and racism also contribute to anti-immigrant sentiment. These ideas stem from the belief that immigrants threaten the ideals of America and jeopardize American prosperity. The negative stereotypes associated with these concepts portray immigrants like they do not belong. This alienation can persist and spread, taking over the narrative and diminishing the importance of immigrants. 

Deporting DACA recipients instead of integrating them into citizenship would constitute a mistake, potentially leading to significant labor shortages and leaving their jobs vacant if they lose their work permits. They would no longer be able to attend universities and contribute to research and academic progression. 

These individuals attend top colleges and work at some of the most respected companies in the nation. They are all around us, and their presence is crucial to the identity and diversity of the United States. Immigrants are rooted in the foundation of this country. Rescinding DACA would deter and harm the lives of all its recipients, in turn damaging the socio-economic, political, and cultural ecosystem of the U.S. 

There are political and economic implementation issues associated with this recommendation. First, finding a bipartisan solution for DACA is more complex because of competing opinions within the government. A divided Congress struggles to agree to the program and a way forward. Economically, the Center for American Progress reports that deportations cost $10,000 per removal, making the total deportation cost of all DACA recipients around $7.5 billion. It would be very costly to deport all of the DACA recipients rather than help them. But if DACA recipients were citizens, they would pay taxes, supporting economic development and national and state services.

The U.S. government should introduce a bill to create a clear path to citizenship for DACA recipients. Congress must act towards a more permanent solution, implementing policies to protect the remaining DACA recipients and provide a stable path forward. Permanent residency will eventually grant thousands of individuals the rights and freedoms of American citizenship. With the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the U.S., immigration reform is imperative. Today’s society is heavily centralized around immigrants, as they have completely assimilated into American tradition and culture. 

As DACA recipients grow older, they settle down, raise families, seek stable jobs, and continue their lives. Yet, their status holds them back from having an everyday American life filled with voting, travel, and government protection. That is why a path to citizenship for DACA recipients is the answer for the future of immigration reform.

Author: Yuval Cohen

Managing Editor: Sebastian Reyes

Web Editor: Jordan Roberts