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InAlienableDaily Dispatch
September 20, 2019
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that allows young people who were brought into the country in unauthorized ways as children, to stay in the United States provided they remain employed and/or attend school and do not commit crimes. DACA exists as the result of an Executive Order issued by the Obama Administration. Trump has sought to revoke it - but has thus far been blocked the courts. DACA exists because Congress did not pass the Dream Act - which would have made these protections permanent - despite broad (at the time) bi-partisan support. The House of Representatives has passed a new Dream Act which, among other things offers a path to citizenship for DACA recipients, or “Dreamers.” The initiative made good election season headlines earlier this year, but is considered DOA in the Senate absent amendments to authorize digging a 2,000-mile spike-filled flaming moat beneath a 30-foot-high wall topped with lasers along the U.S./Mexico border, or something.
If long-term or permanent relief for DACA recipients is not on the horizon, its renewal is before the courts, and there is much at stake. In that context, a new report from Tom K. Wong at the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego offers both good news (the program works!!) and a clear idea of what ending DACA would mean for hundreds of thousands of young people in this country. From a summary of findings at the Center for American Progress:
2019 marks the fifth consecutive year that the authors have surveyed DACA recipients. This research, as with previous surveys, continues to show that DACA recipients are making significant contributions to the economy. In all, 96 percent of respondents are currently employed or enrolled in school.
Moreover, for the first time, the survey provides data about the widespread harms that DACA recipients could endure if they lost their status and faced potential deportation. A full 93 percent of respondents reported concerns about either their or their family’s physical safety; ability to access health care or education; food security; or risk of homelessness if they were deported to their respective countries of birth. With the Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments on the legality of DACA’s termination on November 12, this data makes clear that the stakes could not be higher.
The full breakdown of stats on employment is worth sharing (the full report can be read here):
Work authorization has been critical in helping DACA recipients participate more fully in the labor force. The data shows that 89 percent of respondents are currently employed. Among respondents ages 25 and older, the employment rate jumps to 91 percent.
After receiving DACA:
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- 58 percent of respondents moved to a job with better pay.
- 48 percent of respondents moved to a job with better working conditions.
- 53 percent of respondents moved to a job that “better fits [their] education and training.”
- 52 percent of respondents moved to a job that “better fits [their] long-term career goals.”
- 53 percent of respondents moved to a job with health insurance or other benefits.
The data also shows that 6 percent of respondents started their own businesses after receiving DACA. Among respondents 25 years and older, this figure increases to 9 percent. As the authors have noted in previous surveys, DACA recipients are outpacing the general population in terms of business creation. DACA business owners with full-time employees (48 percent of all DACA business owners), on average, employ 4 1/2 workers other than themselves.
Moreover, 17 percent have obtained professional licenses after receiving DACA. Among respondents 25 years and older, this figure increases to 20 percent.
What would ending DACA mean for many of these 800,000 people?
93 percent of respondents reported concerns about either their or their family’s physical safety, health care, education, food security, or risk of homelessness in their respective countries of birth.
Strikingly, the average age of arrival to the United States among respondents is just 6.1 years old, and more than two-thirds—69 percent—reported not having any immediate family members who still live in their respective countries of birth. These findings make clear that deporting DACA recipients would not only mean sending them to countries they barely know, but it would also put their physical safety, well-being, and livelihood at serious risk. (Emphasis added)
It is striking to me that offering permanent residency to young people who were brought into this country as children is even controversial. While I may be an outlier in also not wanting to punish their parents, I think most people agree with allowing the children, as adults, to stay. Indeed, nearly 90 percent agree as of August 2019:
An overwhelming majority of Americans supports legal protections for certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, according to a new CBS News poll.
According to the survey, almost 9 in 10 respondents — 87 percent — said they believe that the so-called Dreamers should be allowed to remain in the U.S. if they meet certain requirements, such as working or going to school.
In a poll with such overwhelming results, you would this would make it a slam dunk. But sadly, no. The GOP won’t move on this until they get more border enforcement money, and, let’s be honest, it would be a “victory” for the Democrats. So, the courts will decide.