The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, better known as “DACA,” offers undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and grants a work permit for those who came into the country at a young age. However, this program is now at risk after Texas and other states threatened to sue the government if the program is not canceled by early September.

Back in 2012, President Barrack Obama passed DACA. The program offered somewhat stability to these undocumented immigrants, but now their future is uncertain. I guess the real question here is, "Why cancel DACA?"

Can we really blame these young dreamers for coming to a country they did not ask to come to? They came here from a young age; some in diapers or some a little older. Truly, how much of their voice was possibly heard when their parents migrated to this country?

Not much. At least I don’t think so, and that’s exactly why I believe DACA should not be canceled. DACA is not a pathway to citizenship, however, it allows these bright and intelligent individuals to work and give back to the country they call home. What is more American than that?

All the effort they put into getting a degree or job is going to be wasted. And let me tell you, obtaining a degree is not easy. We all have struggles as university students; whether it’s getting loans, staying up late to study for tomorrow’s exam or just simply stressing out over life problems. But the difference here is that those who were fortunate enough to be born here have the passageway to get a job. Sure, we might struggle at first, but we have the ultimate tranquility that we do not need a work permit. Unfortunately, students under the DACA program do not have that security.

If the government has already invested money in these students from the moment they stepped foot in kindergarten, up to the time they graduated high school, they should keep supporting them. It’s just money, time and talent going down the drain if they shut this program down. Additionally, DACA recipients have made a positive impact on the economy with purchasing their first homes and cars. Since they have already made such investments, just imagine how much more they can achieve in the course of time.

This is not the first time they have been threatened, and knowing just how ambitious they have been throughout the years, they will find a way. They ALWAYS do.

There are many young people here who could further their education and yet, they can't. Those who are willing to make sacrifices should take those seats up. Who knows? One of them could have the cure to a disease and benefit this country, but if they get deported, we just might never know.

If DACA does get canceled, this country should not be called “the land of opportunities” because it certainly is not giving an opportunity to these innocent undocumented immigrants.