The repeal of the DACA executive order has caused plenty of uproar within the last few weeks in our country. Arguments sprouting up about the morality of this decision and the fate of those affected by this repeal are numerous. But, what exactly is DACA to begin with? DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is an immigration policy made during the Obama-era that permitted a two year stay of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit, which is granted to illegal immigrant who entered the country as minors. There was about 800,000 people who were enrolled into this program, after the DREAM Act, these people were then known as “Dreamers”. Once Obama came out of office, Homeland Security began to close off the program and review it; on September 5th, the Trump administration had officially rescinded the program. This action is what’s created the uproar and tension over the topic, with opinions differing greatly on each side.

Those who disagree with the repeal of DACA believe that this will harm those involved and will end up hurting the U.S. economy. Many of those initiated into this program, about 25%, have families of their own and with the threat of possible deportation, their children may be forced to suffer the results whether it may be moving to an entirely new country or being left with another relative. In addition, the DACA recipients were minors themselves when they arrived, the average age being 6.5 years old, they may not be familiar with their home country- House Speaker Paul D. Ryan even said that, “these are kids who know no other country.” Nonetheless, without the threat of deportation, Dreamers have been able to earn higher incomes and create businesses than without the program; ergo, helping with the nation’s economy.

However, the people who agree with Trump in this action say that the program in itself is unconstitutional. They believe that Obama never had the right to make such actions in the first place- it wasn’t in his authority to do so. With Trump now in office and rescinding the DACA act, the people who praise him for this think that this will lead Congress to making a much better and effective policy on immigration. Within recent years, the idea of a more effective immigration policy being needed is fairly agreeable among many Americans. Through legislative action, rather than executive orders, could be the best way to reform and perfect our policies. Others also believe that while it wasn’t the recipients fault for being illegal, the parents who brought over their children illegally are also at fault for the predicament with DACA. The opposition sees it as a mess that will be fixed by rescinding it wholly.

All in all, we will have to wait and see, hoping that only the best comes out of this- whether that means legalizing DACA or creating a new system entirely; with luck, whatever comes from this does its best to serve our entire country well.

Sources:

Hanson, Victor Davis. “A Little DACA Honesty.” National Review, 6 Sept. 2017, www.nationalreview.com/corner/451117/daca-immigration-honesty-about-problem. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.

Barreto, Hector, and chairman of the Latino Coalition. “Here’s why Trump is right to end DACA.” CNBC, CNBC, 6 Sept. 2017, www.cnbc.com/2017/09/06/on-daca-trump-did-the-right-thing-commentary.html. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.

“America’s Views of Immigration: The Evidence from Public Opinion Surveys.” Migrationpolicy.org, 12 Aug. 2015, www.migrationpolicy.org/research/americas-views-immigration-evidence-public-opinion-surveys. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.

Somin, Ilya. “Opinion | The case for keeping DACA.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 4 Sept. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/09/04/the-case-for-daca/?utm_term=.42710098ddab. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.

Thompson, Derek. “The Economic Senselessness of President Trump’s DACA Repeal.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 5 Sept. 2017, www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/09/trump-daca-repeal/538911/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2017.