The Definition, Politics and Importance of DACA
(Disclaimer: La Tonique Media LLC does not represent any political ideology. While we do not espouse any political beliefs, we do seek to provide a balance perspective by incorporating voices from both sides of the political spectrum.)
By Elaine Sanderson
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program implemented by former President Barack Obama on June 15th. DACA is vital for undocumented youth, many of whom arrived in the US as infants and know only the American way of life. But what is DACA and why is it so important?
The program targets undocumented young people, most of whom arrived in the US as children. DACA allows these people to:
Obtain a social security number
Gain a work permit
Gain a drivers licence
Avoid deportation
Be eligible for university financial aid and enrolment
Recipients (Dreamers) are those who have grown up as Americans, identify themselves as so and have only no connection or a minor one with the country they were born in.
It is important to note that the program does not act as a route towards permanent citizenship. More so, it is idealised as a deferred path in regard to deportation. It is a temporary solution as it expires after two years and is subject to renewal. The fee to request DACA is $495 every two years.
To receive the above benefits and be eligible for the deferred action for childhood arrivals, a person - in guidelines submitted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services - must meet the below requirements:
Under the age of 31 as of June 15th, 2012;
Have continuously resided in the US since June 15th, 2007;
Arrived in the US before 16th birthday;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15th, 2012 and at the time of application;
Had no lawful status on June 15th, 2012;
Currently in school, graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, obtained a general education development certificate, or an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanour, three or more other misdemeanours, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
During the 2016 election campaign, Trump spoke intensely about immigration, the formation of a border wall and his intent to terminate the program “immediately”. His administration pledged to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2017, allowing Congress a window to come up with a solution. However, Congress failed to come up with a legislative replacement. Then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke issued a memorandum terminating the program with immediate effect. The administration's actions received national outcry, prompting lawsuits from several states. Even district courts united to defy the order.
A further blow came to Trump’s anti-immigration agenda in June 2020. The Supreme Court said President Trump was unjustified in ending the program. However, post-vote, he continued to reject new applications and current applicants must now reapply every year, an added strain on recipient lives. DACA beneficiaries and Make the Road New York called the move “cruel, heartless, and unlawful”. The lives of young people should not be tossed around in a political playground when the deportation of children to exceedingly dangerous countries is a possible outcome.
Recipients celebrate following the Supreme Court ruling in their favour. (Jonathan Ernst | Reuters)
However, a new hope has arrived in the form of Biden’s win. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Biden said, “I will continue to stand with DACA recipients, their parents and their families at every step, and in November, joined by millions across the country, we will reject the President who tried to rip so many of our family members, friends and coworkers out of our lives.” He seeks to make the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program a permanent part of legislation on his first day of presidency.
What would have happened if Trump successfully eradicated the DACA program? According to FWD and American Action Forum, it would result in:
Every week nearly 6,000 recipients would have lost benefits
22,900 jobs lost every month for two years
Cost the economy $21 billion
Reduce GDP by 0.4%
More importantly, it would have led young people without the promise of a future they deserved. Taking the program out of a recipient's hands leaves them two steps behind citizens.
In a report by the American Progress, the benefits of the program have proven to be substantial. It has taken not just the weight off their shoulders with a promised future but taken it off their families too. In the same survey, 61% of respondents said that increased earnings they received because of DACA helped their family financially. Overall, the implementation of the program has increased spending in local economies. On the most basic level, the program has opened doors and eased stress, with young people emerging from a life in the shadows.
Under DACA, undocumented young people have helped grow local economies, enjoyed higher educational achievement and their mental health has improved. 643,560 young people currently rely on DACA. The Trump administration tried to end the program, subsequently failing at the hands of the Supreme Court. Biden brings about new hope towards a secured future for the dreamers - one that is welcomed.
Elaine is a political writer for La Tonique. You can follow Elaine on Twitter @sando_99.
