as someone w/DACA — I feel this. However, i disagree with the title of your article and the definition of undocumented as being unable to adjust your status into a more permanent solution, thereby conflating DACA and undocumented as one.

Being undocumented is not the same as having DACA. As you very well explain here — it’s definitely not perfect and still dehumanizing, but it’s given folks a lot more access to basic things that we otherwise wouldn’t have or would have to go through even more legal trouble just to get a job and survive. All i have to look at is me vs my parents and access to health insurance through an employer that would otherwise not even consider hiring me if i were undocumented.

DACA has provided some access to a system that undocumented people are completely shut out of. To say undocumented + DACAmented people is basically the same is dishonest and erases the struggle of literally having nothing to hold on to and hoping that you’re not profiled and deported right away for no reason other than existing while undocumented.