Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) may reintroduce the DREAM Act as early as this week, according to McClatchy DC. While there’s no specifics yet, the 2010 version of the legislation would have put some immigrant youth who were brought to the U.S. as children by their parents on a path to citizenship. That version passed the House but died in the Senate, where it was ultimately “short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican-led filibuster.” It would certainly have been signed into law by then-President Obama.
A possible reintroduction by Sens. Durbin and Graham comes as the fate of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—a hugely popular, Obama-era program that has allowed nearly 800,000 immigrant youth to work legally, pursue educational and professional opportunities, and live from from the fear of deportation—is uncertain due to Donald Trump, his administration, and a group of Republican state leaders:
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told members of Congress last week that the program that shields those children from deportation is unlikely to withstand a legal challenge.
A group of Republican officials from 10 states, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, have pressed the Trump administration to phase out the controversial program put in place in 2012 after a congressional effort to pass the DREAM Act failed.
The Trump administration has until Sept. 5 to decide whether to rescind the program or face a court challenge by the states.
Donald Trump has tried to stand on both sides of DACA. As a presidential candidate, he promised to rescind Obama’s order on day one of his presidency, but once in office, said that “we are gonna deal with DACA with heart.” The actions speak louder, following reported cases of ICE officials targeting numerous DACA recipients for arrest, including one Dreamer who was ultimately deported to Mexico despite having valid DACA status and is now suing the administration.
What is also certain is that if DACA is rescinded, it not only stands to uproot the lives of nearly 800,000 immigrant youth who have been able to pursue their American dreams, support their families and communities, and build lives in the only country they’ve ever called home, but also stands to affect all Americans.
If DACA workers were to lose their work permits and jobs, the Center for American Progress recently estimated that the cumulative U.S. gross domestic product, or GDP, would be reduced by $433.4 billion over the following 10 years. Each state’s economy would also be negatively affected by the loss of workers, as DACA recipients are spread out across the country. For example, CAP’s latest estimates show that California—with an estimated 187,972 DACA workers—would suffer a GDP loss of $11.3 billion dollars annually if it were to lose these workers. Likewise, Texas would lose $6.1 billion annually, and North Carolina would lose $1.9 billion annually.
On a more personal level, 70 percent of respondents to a DACA survey “reported getting their first job or starting a new job. Additionally, 45 percent reported an earnings increase”:
Almost 50 percent of DACA beneficiaries surveyed have opened their first bank account, and 33 percent have obtained their first credit card. These shifts allow young people to spend their new earnings on purchases throughout their communities and to generate new jobs as businesses strive to meet the higher demand for goods and services. These benefits are especially important because many undocumented young people live in economically vulnerable positions. According to The Migration Policy Institute, an estimated 34 percent of those immediately eligible for DACA lived in families with annual incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty line.
Most importantly, many others said DACA gives them some relief due to the anxiety and pressures from lacking legal status:
Deferral-from-removal action and work authorization have given hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people increased peace of mind. DACA recipients can more comfortably move through their daily routines: Sixty-six percent of respondents to one survey agreed to the statement, “I am no longer afraid because of my immigration status.” Additionally, 64 percent agreed with the statement, “I feel more like I belong in the U.S.” Reduced feelings of disconnect can have enormous positive effects for individuals and their communities. It allows young people to have greater peace of mind, which translates to greater participation in the economy and in civic life.
According to polling, nearly 60 percent of American voters support DACA, while another 78 percent support giving young immigrants legal status. Winning legislation and permanent relief for immigrants and their families is the end goal, but today, protecting DACA for hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth must also be a priority for all who reject racist, anti-immigrant policies and support an inclusive vision of America.
“People of good will from across the political spectrum must take a stand,” said immigrant rights leader Frank Sharry of America’s Voice. “We must stand up for Dreamers and insist that DACA be kept in place until Congress enacts a clean version of the DREAM Act or broader immigration reform. Furthermore, we must stand up for undocumented immigrants who are settled in America and contribute so much to the country they now call home—many of whom have Dreamers in their families.”
To help fight for DACA, immigrant youth, and their families, sign this national petition demanding elected officials come out publicly in support of DACA. You can also text HereToStay to immigrant youth organization United We Dream at 877877.