As children, we love to think of a world with global peace, no climate change, and free college for everyone. But when we grow up, we realize that these things are a bit harder to accomplish, and are truly about as simple as finding a unicorn in the world. So, why should the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (or DACA program) be treated any differently? Deferred by definition means an alternate way of approaching something, but we need to, as citizens, ask ourselves if this policy is truly legal or if it is one of those complicated dreams from our childhood that we only hope can come to a resolution. In my opinion, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program is illegal and has only caused harm to our country and even the people it was designed to benefit by perpetuating a state of limbo.
According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, this legal document “authorizes the Attorney General to grant asylum if an alien is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin because they have suffered past persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of ‘race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.’” However, DACA covers many undocumented immigrants that came to this country illegally in pursuit of “a better economic life.” While I can appreciate their efforts to achieve a better life for themselves, it is still outside of the law. Our current policies are giving the impression that our laws are suggestions rather than standards. In addition, this lack of clarity about our laws is confusing to not only immigrants, but our own citizens, creating unnecessary hostility. Also, the Deferred Action for Parental Arrivals (or DAPA program that is the parent program to DACA), was found to be illegal by the Supreme Court. So, if the parent program to DACA was found to be illegal, why isn’t DACA already being discontinued permanently? Many of the people affected by this illegality of this proposed program had also been in the United States for many years.
Not only is DACA illegal, but it is also harming everyone included in this process. By providing in-state tuition and other low-income programs to DACA recipients, we are bankrupting our government even further, all while contributing to the overcrowding problem in the United States. While many feel these are not serious or negative implications, we must acknowledge that this program also hurts the people it is meant to benefit. President Obama implemented DACA as a two-year program to temporarily handle immigration while the House of Representatives and the Senate came to an agreement. However, this program has continued past its intended lifespan, causing DACA recipients to be in a constant state of limbo and never quite understand what is going to happen next. In addition, by having DACA, the House of Representatives and the Senate seem to feel less pressured to implement a permanent solution.
Many of our laws seem arbitrary at times, for instance, widows or divorcees only receive social security benefits under their husband if they were married for ten years. Although that at times creates unfairly burdened situations, that is the standard. What is our standard for citizenship? Why is it not clearly and unambiguously defined and applied uniformly?
The hard decision that we have put off for so long is clearly defining the legal reasons that we will allow people to become citizens. The House and Senate must come to a decision and enforce and apply these rules to everyone equally. Whether we will allow DACA recipients to have a pathway to citizenship must also be defined, so that exceptions are made standards if there are to be any. The president should not unilaterally have the power to make decisions contrary to our laws and create ambiguity as to the foundation of our nation. The lack of enforcement by President Obama and ensuing muddying of the waters created by DACA has made a compelling case for DACA recipients. The House and Senate need to make the immigration policies clear and defined, backed by research, facts, and intent to implement, taking into account the fact that much of our current situation has been self-imposed by our leaders. I am someone that still has big dreams, but we need to find a better solution rather than continue to simply put a bandaid on our problems.
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