What You Need to Know About DACA
In an era of fake news, alternative facts, and absolute guerilla wars on media and journalism, the average citizen struggles to keep up with what to truly believe and what should be looked at twice. Both sides of the political spectrum struggle to stay relevant by creating eye catching headlines and force strong emotional responses out of their followers. Society has become one of a follow-the-leader type news systems. The game of “telephone” has never been so relevant, as news comes from one person, and warps as it goes down the chain of command.
In recent news, President Donald Trump has decided to end the DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, program. But what does that mean? Here’s what you should know regarding this:
What is DACA?
DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was created by the Obama administration in 2012. DACA is an American immigration policy designed to protect immigrants who are minors, referred to as Dreamers, to be protected against immediate deportation. The DACA program allows these certain immigrants to request “consideration for deferred action,” meaning postpone deportation or legal consequences of deportation for up to two years, and can be renewed as many times as wanted. Under DACA, these people do not receive citizenship status, but can stay in the U.S. under DACA’s protection. Recipients must have a high school diploma or GED, and cannot have a criminal status.
Why is Trump ending DACA? On August 29th, 2017, President Trump announced his decision to begin moving toward ending DACA, and called upon Congress to begin action. The program’s end begins now, with no new applications being accepted. In Trump’s remarks during the announcement, he vaguely responded to criticism with, “it’s in the best interest of our country.” Attorney General Sessions continued after Trump by claiming DACA to have “denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same jobs to go to illegal aliens.” Trump awaits Congress to make a decision on ending the program as the cabinet of the White House has officially deemed it “unconstitutional”.
Why Should You Care? Look around you. America is not what it used to be. Previous minorities are rising in numbers to become the majority. This America is one of unity between cultural backgrounds. As this DACA program ends, 800,000 recipients will be up for deportation status within sixth months. They are labeled. They will be ridiculed, hurt, and unable to live a life of freedom in the Land of the Free. Look around you. One of those people could be a close friend, a neighbor, a classmate. These people will live in fear of either getting deported themselves, or waiting by the phone to hear that a family member has been. We should not be living in a society where people fear who they are.
What Can You Do? Be engaged. Be informed. Be Active.
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With this, stay informed, get involved, and be a friend to those going through one of the scariest times in their life right now.