If being undocumented taught me anything, it was that nothing in this world comes easy. Only hard work and sacrifice will make you succeed and that is what led many others, myself included, to be part of DACA.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA, was introduced by the Obama administration in 2012. This has granted temporary protection for those who were brought to this country as kids from being deported and has provided us with our much-needed worker's permits/work only social security cards. There are guidelines one must follow in order to be considered when applying.
You need to be under 31 years old as of June 2012, have entered the U.S before your 16th birthday, have no lawful status, have not been convicted of a felony, currently in school or graduated, and many more requirements. It's not like DACA is being handed out to just anyone. For the full list of guidelines that one must follow, you can go to the DACA website.
According to The Washington Post, officials from 10 states have warned Attorney General Jeff Sessions that they will sue the government if DACA is not removed and discontinued.
This program helps the economy because those under DACA can legally work and be contributing members to their societies. Not only does DACA allow those in that policy to work legally, but it also gives us opportunities to drive securely with proper documents. Sometimes for those that are completely undocumented, they have to travel far for their work which they might need to drive themselves. DACA allows those drivers to buy automobiles and register for their permits/licences. This prevents anyone from driving without documents.
Also for some states, it gives college students the opportunity to pay in-state tuition instead of the out-of-state tuition they would have to pay if they were completely undocumented. This is a HUGE deal for us because since our social securities are strictly for work, we don't get to apply for financial aid. Tuition is either covered by generous donors from scholarships or straight from our pockets.
The act of destroying DACA is nothing but pure cruelty.This program helps the economy because those under DACA can legally work and be contributing members to their societies. I have yet to read or hear about any valid reasons as to why DACA should be terminated. The only thing I assume people will argue about this is that their tax payer dollars are being "wasted" on this policy. I don't want to hear any of that nonsense when we payed an alarming and unnecessary amount of money to keep the current president's family in their apartment in NY.
We came here as children, with no choices and now we're fighting to stay in this country because the reality is that it's all we know. For many of us, we feel more North American than from where we were born. DACA is not hurting anyone, it is only helping hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants work legally & remain in this land of opportunity for as long as possible. It has been nothing but a blessing.
