Freedom, opportunity, peace, and order. These are just a few qualities that America should come with. This giant melting pot, also known as "The Promised Land," is known for being the place where you can live the life you choose and make great things happen for yourself and family.
This is one of many reasons why immigrants choose America as their second home. Families that migrate here often are moving with their children illegally, meaning that they have not gone through the proper paperwork or completed the process to become U.S. citizens.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals commonly known as DACA was created to protect children who have been here illegally. This program protects parents from deportation and provides work permits. The problem is that the program is at risk of no longer continuing. The effects that may come from ending the program are disappointing, to say the least.
The most heartbreaking thing is the number of young adults who may be at risk of deportation. To even attempt to imagine the amount of students that have been in the country for years, creating greater opportunities for themselves, only to be told that soon they may not be protected here any longer is painful. The young adults who have graduated college and have went on to have careers they love and choose for themselves should be able to hold onto what they have created for themselves.
The culture that we're use to in America is different from other countries. When most children first interacted with the way of our society, and in some cases our language, they had to quickly learn. After living somewhere for long spans of time, as in more than five years, you've most likely become use to how things are.
The thought of someone being deported to a country they may barely have memory of, where the language is lost and where the way things are done seem new, is hard to understand.
If the ultimate goal is to prevent illegal immigration, the elimination of this program will not be the solution. Even after removal of this program, immigrants will continue to find a way to enter the country and establish a life for themselves, even if it is illegal. Our country is seen as a safe place and an escape.
Maybe the issue isn't a program such as DACA, which protects them. Maybe the real issue is why immigrants have to go through so many hoops to become U.S. citizens.
Most people think the solution is as simple as becoming a citizen, but the process is time-consuming and expensive, both things which many immigrants don't have. It's understandable that there are things that need to be done to protect our country and keep out drugs or anything else causing harm, but taking away DACA is not the answer. If anything, the removal of this program will cause more harm that it will help.
For the future of anyone who wishes to have a better life established in the U.S., I hope that a program such as DACA is allowed to continue.
