Today marks the fifth anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, one of the most significant victories in the fight for immigrant rights during the past three decades. Because of DACA, nearly 800,000 immigrant youth have been able to gain work authorization and have temporary relief from deportation. But DACA is so much more than that. It means the ability to pursue educational opportunities. It means the ability to enter and advance in the work force in order to support their families. It means dignity and peace of mind for hundreds of thousands of young people who make our nation better:
After receiving DACA, 63 percent of respondents reported moving to a job with better pay; 49 percent moved to a job that “better fits my education and training”; and 48 percent moved to a job with better working conditions. These figures are largely consistent with previous findings from the 2015 survey and show that the temporary work authorization that comes with DACA has helped to unlock recipients’ economic potential.
The 2016 survey also found that 6 percent of respondents started their own business after receiving DACA. This rate of business starts is higher than that of both the American public as a whole—at 3.1 percent—and the entire immigrant population—at 3.6 percent. These businesses include tech startups, online craft stores, and tax preparation services, among others. One business owner who employs nine people hopes to continue to grow and “hire [even] more people from the community.”
According to research from CAP, 46 percent of DACA recipients are in school, with a full 83 percent of those individuals also holding down jobs. Of that chunk, 70 percent are pursuing a BA or higher. Just as importantly, research has found that DACA gives young immigrants “a greater sense of belonging as valued and contributing members of our country” and lessens anxiety and fear due to deportation.
“I feel like I can actually contribute to my community, my society, whatever it is, without having to worry about tomorrow, that I might get deported or something like that,” said Maria, 19. “I feel more safe participating in things for the community and for anything, really.”
“It’s that I can drive freely around, without having to worry,” said Miguel, also 19. “I can drive my dad to work. There was a time when my dad would probably spend a whole month in jail, from jail to jail to jail, simply because he was an undocumented driver going to work and back… I had basically my family on my shoulders. … After I got my license, those fears completely went away."
But despite its many success stories, DACA is under threat. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to undo the program on day one of his presidency. While DACA is still on the books, he and DHS Sec. John Kelly have been “working to erode and weaken DACA, from revoking work permits to appointing anti-immigrant officials to oversee the DACA program,” notes United We Dream. “We’ve even seen cases of DACA recipients being framed, stalked, detained, and deported.”
But if there’s one thing we’ve come to know about these young immigrants, it’s that they persist. Immigrant youth won DACA five years ago from the Obama administration because of their relentless organizing, personal stories, and demand for justice. It’s up to all of us to help defend and strengthen DACA so that young immigrants can continue to thrive and succeed in the only country they’ve ever called home.
Just as importantly, we must call on legislators at local and state levels to reject Donald Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant vision and pass pro-immigrant policies that will protect families. To find out how you can help young immigrants and their families, text “HERETOSTAY” to United We Dream at 877877.
Below, some personal reflections on the fifth anniversary of DACA from program recipients.