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A Comprehensive Insight into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA
Georgina Sepulveda
Abstract
The Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals, i.e. DACA, was brought into legislation in
2012 by President Obama by the end of his first term. DACA is the 2-year protection from
deportation, and allows the eligibility of being able to work under a work permit. Immigrants
could not have a criminal past, be enrolled in a school or university, and serve in the United
States military in order to qualify for the protection of the U.S. legislative program DACA. With
the current President elect Donald J. Trump, the future of the DACA participants is uncertain,
due to the president wanting to end the program, with the beliefs of having a safer community,
and more employment for the citizens of the U.S. Participants of the DACA program are in
jeopardy of being deported back to their home land if this program doesnt continue to provide
In current news, DACA is a popular topic amongst the discussions within the three branches of
government. Many know, or can relate, that DACA has to do with conversations in the realm of
In current news, DACA is a popular topic amongst the discussions within the three
branches of government. Many know, or can relate, that DACA has to do with conversations in
the realm of illegal immigrant status. The ironic factor in this popular legislation is that most of
the American public only knows about what is said about DACA in the news; a small number of
citizens actually know that proven facts of DACA, its benefits/ downfalls as it pertains to the US,
and what are the personal agendas of lawmakers who wish to save it versus those who wish to
repeal/ replace this law with some more sufficient legislation. In this narrative, these are the
2. What are the constructive aspects of DACA, as it pertains to the USAs best
interests, versus the down falls if this legislation is dismantled and removed from
law?
3. What is the rationale from those who seek to protect DACA, and what is the
The goal is to fully comprehend the legislation DACA, how the US both gains, and loses, from
it, and the particular reasoning behind those who defend DACA against those who strive to
dismantle it.
citizens fully comprehend this legislation and how it applies to individuals with this citizenship
A THOROUGH REVIEW OF DACA 4
status. What is DACA, and its comprehensive purpose? This legislation, i.e. DACA, was
brought into existence on June 15, 2012 by former President Barack Obama. This program was
passed for the protection of illegal immigrants ages 6- younger than 30, from being deported for
their citizenship status, and allowed the young adults to be enrolled in a high school, university,
vocational school, or serving our nation in the United States Armed forces. Immigrants could not
threat of any kind to society (Georgetown Law Library, 2017). The introduction of the DREAM
Act had been introduced by a democrat, Dick Durbin, and a republican, Orrin Hatch in 2001, this
would have been for the assistance of the DREAMERS, i.e. Development, Relief, and Education
for Alien Minors Act. This act would have been to benefit illegal aliens in applying for residency,
leading to being a permanent resident, this would be considered by the age the illegal alien
entered the US and how long they have been residing in the US as well. Similar to the DACA
program applicants for the DREAM Act would have to pass a regulatory background check to
make sure there were no criminal charges in the immigrants past, if they have graduated from
high school or received their GED, and conducted good moral character. No matter the changes
made to help the DREAM Act pass, it was never passed through the Senate, and the legislation
had lost support from Congressional republicans. Many republicans had begun to believe that the
protection of these young children was an act to protect children from a past that they had no
control of, and would allow young children to be able to travel into the US undocumented and
illegally which would cause a conflict of security. With the multiple failures to passing this
legislation, in 2012 after making multiple changes to the act the DACA program was finalized
and passed.
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As with any enacted legislation, there are intended goals to strive for: with DACA,
President Obama, along with bipartisan lawmaker support, had an intended purpose for this
legislation and its accompanying constituents. One of DACAs main intensions is to aide young
Hispanic individuals, who are in this country illegally at no fault of their own, to have a future.
DACA helps sustain this purpose by raising the probability that these undocumented youths will
remain in the country by providing them with routes to pursue educational, and vocational
opportunities. As per the visual, (Figure 1, a student who has benefited from DACA speaks.
networking. The lack of occupational options, and familial obligations would become a huge
barrier for these well-educated immigrants, and would continue to be a barrier that needs to be
overcome when searching for employment. Many employers would look at the Latino students
as nothing other than being an undocumented immigrant that is not sufficient to be employed by
ones company, and that would result in the limiting the nature of their legal status, looking
beyond the career aspiration of the personal and vocational contributions towards the Latino
college educated students and their psychological development (Lyon, 2015, p. 9-10). The
challenges that arise through the higher educational population of immigrants has continued to
decrease as many employers are now seeking employees to be bilingual, and capable of being
able to overcome the developmental challenges that may arise after becoming employed in a
A THOROUGH REVIEW OF DACA 6
corporate field. There has been a significant growth in the population with the documented and
undocumented populations, many students have become eligible for the grants that are offered to
solely illegal immigrants, and has improved the number of students attending collegiate
institutes.
What are the constructive aspects of DACA, as it pertains to the USAs best interests,
versus the down falls if this legislation is dismantled and removed from law?
DACAs legislative policies, mandates, and stipulations have had various effects to the
nation. Even with bipartisan support and DACAs foundation being molded around US values,
this legislation has been seen as beneficial to the country, and there are factors that illustrate
negative outcomes with DACA. What are the constructive aspects of DACA, as it pertains to the
USAs best interests, versus the down falls if this legislation is dismantled and removed from
law? There could be a huge ecumenical impact on many states especially the bordering states
like California, Texas, and North Carolina, the loss could from the low billions to the high
billions of dollars for the loss of the DACA workers. The ending of the program would only in
tale that an estimated 30,000 immigrants would lose their work permits as the expiration of their
visas would soon expire (Schoen, J, 2017). The loss of visas would result in deportation, and
there would be a zero chance of returning to the US, with or without a criminal past or
educational background. It has been stated through both parties democratic and republican
parties that undocumented immigrants already living in the US should be allowed to continue to
work and live in the US as usual, not having to worry about being deported. In the next 10 years,
young DACA participants would have contributed to the nation in the amount of $433.4 billion
(Paul, C, 2017). Being allowed to reach and achieve their full potential, illegal immigrants would
be allowed to become Americans, and assisting the current citizens to contribute to having a
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brighter future, all of which would allow f or our economy to continue to grow without the loss
of the fellow immigrants and their loved ones. It is a lot more sufficient to have a population that
will assist in increasing the economic needs of the citizens instead of losing all of the money that
would be lost if the program was not passed, keeping immigrants safe and liable to work for
what they truly have in a profession that is liked or loved by immigrants, and have worked so
hard to achieve.
What is the rationale from those who seek to protect DACA, and what is the objective of
As mentioned above, DACA presents with both down falls and constructive aspects.
There are lawmakers who realize these positive aspects of DACA, and they strive a great deal of
their efforts to protect, and sustain, this legislation. On the other hand, there are those who
contribute to the opposition of DACA and contribute all their focus on repealing this legislation
to lead way for something more proficient in their opinion. What is the rationale from those who
seek to protect DACA, and what is the objective of those who wish to repeal it? Those in favor
of the repeal of the DACA program are Senator Graham of South Carolina (R), and
Representative Hurd from Texas (D), continuing to be bipartisan the undocumented Latino youth
would be capable of pursuing an education, being eligible to receive a drivers license, along
with being able to apply and receive scholarships, job training, financial aid for college and
grants. It would provide the youth with the protection from deportation, and safety from which
problems that were not of any fault of their own (Bier, D, 2017). The immigrants would be able
to apply for positions in the FBI and Armed Forces, have greater open possibilities for their
futures, and have their own American Dream to pursue. The freedom of not having to worry
about how one will be paying for schools tuition, also the sense of being vulnerable, and
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targeted leading to but not limited to being mistreated (Huber, L, 2015, pg 119). Many
Americans had a sense that their jobs were being taken from them by immigrants whether it be in
the fields picking cotton, to being a civil engineer, just by being educated Americans felt
threatened that they would never be able to locate any type of employment again and blamed the
immigrants as a whole. The repeal was also seen to be a way of keeping the citizens safe from
harms way, believing that immigrants were dangerous and capable of harming Americans due to
their citizenship. In total confidence many believed that there would be a beneficial protection
for DACA participants as well, meaning that immigrants would have to pay more in taxes than
they would make in a lifetime. DACA recipients are not eligible for any type of governmental
assistance such as food stamps, TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, or any other tax credits, which
Conclusion
off, we explored the background, and history, of DACA, and we understood the intended
purpose, and long-term goals, DACA was created to provide. While remaining neutral, we then
viewed the legislation on two fronts. Primarily, we discussed the negative impacts DACA would
have on the nations economy, and we viewed how DACA is currently aiding our economy. In
addition, we reviewed the current stipulations of DACA and how it aides undocumented
Hispanic youths. Next, we incorporated the rationale of those who wish DACA to survive
regarding how they see the legislation benefits young illegal immigrants. Lastly, we delved into
the subjective, and objective, opinions of those who wish to repeal DACA and replace with their
innovations. By viewing DACAs history, current policies, and proposed ideas/ innovations, we
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get a thorough understanding of the legislations definition, reason for existence, and advantages/
disadvantages.
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References
Bier, D. (2017). Five myths about daca. The Washington Post. Retrieved, October 24, 2017,
from:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five-myths/five-myths-about
daca/2017/09/07/e444675a-930c-11e7-8754
d478688d23b4_story.html?utm_term=.51f093b0c910
Georgetown Law Library. (2017). Deferred action for childhood arrivals (daca). A Brief History
of Civil Rights in the United States. Retrieved, October 23, 2017, from:
guides.ll.georgetown.edu/c.php?g=592919&p=4170929
Prez Huber, L. (2015). (Its like a golden cage): The impact of daca and the california dream act
128.
Penichet-Paul, C. (2017). Dream act of 2017 bill summary. National Immigration Forum.
http://immigrationforum.org/blog/dream-act-of-2017-bill-summary/?
gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpay70OCI1wIVV1mGCh1oLQaTEAAYASAAEgJzePD_BwE
Schoen, J. W. (2017). US gdp would take a hit from daca deportations, report finds. CSNBS: US
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/31/u-s-gdp-would-take-a-hit-from-daca
deportations-report-finds.html
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Age 12-18
Agree to (Question 1)
Di sa gree to (Question 1)
Di d not have a home or fami l y to go to (Question 2)
Woul d have fami l y a ccepting them, and hous ing them (Question 2)
The di fference i s very great (Question 3)
There real l y not much of a di fference (Question 3)
Are the changes bei ng ma de fa i r (Questions 4)
Are the changes bei ng ma de unfai r (Question 4)
Show the unfami l i a rity of our home l a nds and how we woul dnt be a bl e to adapt. (Question 5)
Expl a i n that we a re just as good or even better than everyone el s e.(Question 5)
It i s very di fficul t to be non-bi a s ed (Question 5)
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1. What are your personal feelings in regards to the changes being made in the DACA
program?
2. Do you feel that if you were deported, would you have a reliable home to go to, or family
o Yes
o No
3. How different are the guidelines that must be met to be able to apply for the DACA
4. Are the current changes being discussed in our government fair or unfair? Such as not
being able to have a parking ticket, or any criminal past or involvement at all.
5. What would you like to have considered if anything at all to help our government come