DACA or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is the American relief program created in 2012 by the Obama Administration. It allows undocumented immigrants who were brought into the United States as children to get a temporary pardon from deportation. In recent years, with the rise in strict immigration regulations under the Trump Administration, the DACA program is being threatened for termination, uprooting the lives of thousands of immigrants

The members of DACA are unauthorized immigrants who have grown up in the United States and identify as Americans. Most likely, they have no connection or memory of the country they have defected from. Most Dreamers find out in their later teenage years when trying to file for social security or to fill out forms that they are undocumented. They consider America their home and have fully integrated into society, and are most likely benefitting it.  DACA allows for certain people, specifically youth maintaining a good record, to request deferred action. Recipients will be able to remain within the country as a non-citizen, be eligible for work authorization, and most importantly be shielded from unlawful deportation. Dreamers are given a path to pursue their dreams without the fear of being thrown from their homes. 

Since the passing of the Dream Act in 2012, around 800,000 immigrants have been approved into the relief program, and DACA has been successful in assisting the young generation.

According to ADL “A 2017 national study revealed that 91% of DACA respondents are currently employed, and their average hourly wage is $17.46 an hour.”

They are the doctors, nurses, business owners, and first responders that the American people considerably depend upon. Like many Americans, they have earned their positions and have climbed up the social ladder with their intelligence and resourcefulness. The Dreamers are essential members of American economy and society.

Despite the harmful stigma that immigrants, particularly undocumented ones, pose a danger to public safety, in recent years this accusation has played a central role in public opinions and government regulations. Most notably, President Donald Trump has proposed and implemented several policies on the biased claim that most immigrants are responsible for an excessive number of crimes and the resources devoted to such programs like DACA should instead be used to enforce illegal immigration and crime.