What is DACA?

DACA is a federal government program created by President Barack Obama in 2012 that allows the “undocumented” that came to the US illegally as children are allowed the opportunity to temporary right to live, study and work in America.

Who are the dreamers?

The dreamers are immigrants that came with their families to the US illegally when they were children and went to school in the US and have lived here since. They are protected under the DACA program or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

What do they have to do to apply?

To apply, they must have arrived in the US before turning 16 and lived here continuously for at least 5 years since June 2007. To qualify they must not have any criminal history or be a threat to national security. They must be students, have completed primary schools or military service.

How does the DACA affect the “Dreamers”?

If they qualify they are protected from deportation but must renew this process every two years. They are also eligible for basics like a driving license, college enrollment or a work permit. Allowing them to graduate from High School and College, it also allows them to work.

Currently, President Trump has decided to nullify the DACA program, and gave Congress six months to come up with a legislative solution. Since former President Obama created the DACA program as an executive policy decision, President Trump has the power to reverse the policy.

Under the Trump administration, new applications under DACA will no longer be accepted. For those currently in the program, their legal status and other DACA-related permits such as to work and attend college will begin expiring in March 2018. Unless Congress passes legislation allowing a new channel for temporary or permanent legal immigration status the “Dreamers” will all lose their status by March 2020.

As permits expire the “Dreamers” are at risk of deportation, many of them have no familiarity with their birth country. It is still unclear whether this is going to happen because as for now President Trump has said that the government “generally will not take actions”. Those with work permits expiring between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018 will be allowed to apply for renewal by October 5.

The debate of the issue has been tossed around with alleged overstepping of presidential authority, and the idea of portraying it as a threat to national security. Whatever your opinion on the matter, there are lives and futures potentially at stake.

We’d love to hear your opinions on the subject matter.