DACA: What's at Stake

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA) is a transformational policy that has allowed more than 825,000 immigrant youth to pursue their work and educational dreams, better provide for themselves and their loved ones, and contribute more fully to their communities.

At the same time, DACA was always meant to be a temporary solution. Without a pathway to citizenship, immigrants who grew up in this country live in a state of limbo and uncertainty. Despite many promises over the past years, Congress has yet to deliver permanent protections for DACA recipients.

To compound the uncertainty, in October 2022, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that DACA is unlawful. This is another stark and serious reminder of the urgency for Congress to act swiftly to deliver a permanent legislative solution.

If you stand with immigrant youth, now is the time to make it clear to Congress that they must act.

[joyceanderson]

I have worked with many students who came to the US as children without any say about their future. Many of them worked and studied hard and graduated from high school, but now are always wondering if they will be deported. One of my students, at least, who was a very active member of the community, was detained and finally deported. It just doesn't make sense! These are children who were brought to this country without their buy-in. Some thought they would only be here for a short time, but when their parents decided to stay, they did their best to become part or out society. These young people need to be given a path to citizenship! I told students that if they worked hard and graduated, they would do well, but there is always the cloud of deportation hanging about them.