DACA In The Age of Trump

DACA is an immigration policy that was passed in 2012 by Obama’s administration. DACA, or Deferred Action for Child Arrivals, protects undocumented children who came to America illegally with their parents from being deported. DACA status is renewable every two years, and truly is the only hope for DREAMers. Though DACA doesn’t provide citizenship, it does offer healthcare and employment options. The ability to work has allowed thousands of undocumented citizens to find economic and academic success. However, Trump’s 2016 election put DACA at high risk. In 2017, DACA stopped receiving new applications and the constitutionality of DACA is to be determined by the Supreme Court. Why? Deysi and Fatima Avila settled in Red Bank, New Jersey and began their new lives- learning English, making friends, and enrolling in school. When Deysi’s 16th birthday came around, she received her driver’s license as a DACA recipient: or DREAMer. However, Fatima, being a few years younger than her sister, had to wait until her birthday to get hers. As a result, when her birthday passed, DACA had stopped receiving new applications to the program and she was unable to become a DREAMer like her sister. Their dilemma inspired advocates to take action, and they have successfully convinced a number of states to file lawsuits challenging Trump’s policy on DACA.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/12/daca-status-supreme-court-decides-if-program-legal-sisters-cope/2572626001/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/12/us/daca-supreme-court.html