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Marina Hernandez

English 112

Cause and Effect Essay

4 April, 2017

DACA Community Stands Strong despite New Immigration Policies

As of September 2016, the total DACA population was at 1,932,000 eligible applicants this

does not include the population of young immigrants that will be eligible for DACA in the future which

is currently at 228,000 (Migration policy Institute). In June 15, 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood

Arrivals was an executive action that was put into place during the Obama administration. DACA

provides protection from deportation for young immigrants who entered the US before their 16th

birthday, who were under the age of 31 on June 15, 2012, who have also not been convicted of any

felonies or crimes. To be granted the permit, the applicant must also demonstrate that he or she is

obtaining an education and or is contributing to the workforce. Because of constant threats to

remove DACA, dreamers have become stronger and are more committed to continue fighting for an

opportunity.

Republicans are the main party that have been opposing DACA, claiming that there is no

such thing as an excused illegal presence, and that every undocumented person should be

sanctioned accordingly and deported to their countries of origin. Before DACA, congress denied the

approval of what would be the DREAM Act, which differently from DACA, would allow young

immigrants that fulfilled all requirements, to become naturalized citizens of the United States (Fiflis,

Christina A). When the DREAM Act was not passed, DACA emerged, immigrants that were eligible

would not become citizens but they now would be able to work, study, and obtain a driver's license.

Threats have been increasing for DACA recipients since Donald Trump entered the white

house, more so than what dreamers had already been facing since DACA took place. The young

immigrant community has been protesting and participating in rallies, by being active members in

their community they have a chance at being taken into consideration. All this so that the US

government can see their potential and what they truly are here to do, which is work hard and obtain
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an education. Although DACA does protect against deportation, at the beginning of 2017, there have

been several DACA recipients that have been arrested and are at risk to lose their benefits of DACA.

Due to rising questions on why these dreamers were arrested, ICE publicly announced that DACA is

not a law and therefore can be taken away at any moment without notice on the discretion of the

government.

This lead to more controversy, the issue now is more at risk than ever before. Thanks to

DACA young immigrants have become stronger in fighting for what they stand for, this work permit

has allowed them to come out from the dark and demonstrate their potential in the workforce and in

the educational field. Because this opportunity is so at risk of being lost, as a community dreamers

are more determined to fight for this at all costs. After many protests and marches some states have

demonstrated their support and congress has taken some of these requests into consideration such

as extending the permit to three years instead of two.

There are other factors that can be added or taken away to improve the process for DACA

and to fix how the permit benefits those who obtain it. Some examples would be receiving more

financial aid for school and healthcare benefits that DACA recipients currently do not receive. While

these benefits are at constant risk, dreamers have to work with what they have. After all they have

overcome obstacles and will continue to move forward and be successful, just as every person

wants to be when they migrate to this great land of opportunity.

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Works Cited

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Tools. Migrationpolicy.org, Migration

Policy Institute, 1 Feb. 2017, www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/deferred-

action-childhood-arrivals-daca-profiles. Accessed 3 Apr. 2017

Fiflis, Christina A. "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals." GPSolo, vol. 30, no. 5, 2013, pp.

28-32, ProQuest Central, http://ezproxy.cpcc.edu/login?

url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1441520981?accountid=1