On DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, otherwise known as the Dreamer Plan, is an American immigration policy that allows individuals who arrived and lived in America illegally as minors a renewable two year work permit. DACA has changed countless lives as it enables people to qualify for financial aid for college, secure better jobs, open bank accounts, live without fear and obtain drivers licenses.
These milestones on the road to self-sufficiency would be jeopardized if DACA is wiped out. “It allowed me to blend into society in every way,” said Monica Lazaro, 24, whom was born in Honduras but raised in Miami. DACA has recently been called into question, but what exactly is the problem? On September 5th 2017, the Department of Homeland Security “rescinded” DACA and the government stopped taking new applicants. The Republican Party have always had strong, negative feelings toward the program and were promised by Trump throughout the campaign that there would be an end to it. However, he pledged to keep the program alive, calling Dreamers “absolutely incredible kids.” When Trump didn't rescind DACA, a group of Republican-led states threatened to challenge the program in the courts in front of a judge who had already blocked an expansion of DACA to parents of those individuals. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn has said that as of March 5th, 2018, “current DACA recipients can no longer register again for an additional two years and qualify for an additional work permit.” However it is more complicated than this.
As of, March 5 no one is eligible for renewal so people thus people are going to lose all rights. 122 people are losing protections each day before March 5. The Huffington Post claims, “DACA doesn’t end March 5; it already did.” As people actually have not been renewed since September. Senator Jeff Flake has said “The problem is, even if it’s not deportation on March 5th ... they can’t get work permits, they won’t be able to register for school in certain circumstances,” Flake said. “So they are left in limbo, and that’s not fair to them.” Why are our people being left in an unfair limbo if the overwhelming majority of our country want the program to function. 84 percent of Democrats, 74 percent of independents and 69 percent of Republicans think they should stay. Only 15 percent of people believe that the immigrants should be deported from the country. Immigrants are being deported even though their partners, jobs, homes, and kid are here. It is unfair to give them this security only to strip it away. “It’s not about the policy; it’s about the Constitution,” said Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, who accused Mr. Obama of abusing his power by circumventing Congress to create law. “The fact is, there is no statute authorizing this. However, Judge Alsup’s ruling last week ordered the Trump administration to start accepting DACA participants again (meaning apply for renewals of their two-year work permits).
Moderate Republicans, however, are close to reaching the 218 signatures that would force a vote on four immigration bills; they hope to reach a compromise with hardliners that create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers while modestly increase border security. Freedom Caucus members are fighting the deal, despite the moderates’ threat to work with Democrats on passing bipartisan legislation. The codification of DACA would be a large failure for the Republican party and likely demoralize their base in the midterm elections, who have been promised tight limits on immigration. Some Democrats refused to sign the moderates’ petition on the grounds that Trump’s wall should not be considered.
by LEEYA CHOHAN