DACA Digest: September 8, 2017
Curated news from the DACA Time team
Each week, the DACA Time team provides you with curated news and stories related to DACA and immigration to help raise awareness of the problems we’re trying to solve and the people we’re trying to help.
Raising awareness is a crucial component of social impact:
- How can you change something no one knows anything about?
- What support systems already exist for the folks we’re trying to help?
- Where do we see examples of success that inspire us?
- Perhaps most importantly, what victories, no matter how tiny, can we celebrate this week?
Beyond the social enterprise space, beyond those directly impacted by DACA and its far-too-often arduous application process, answering these questions helps us better understand how our actions are all connected.
DACA Rescinded: What happens now?
The unthinkable has occurred, and the United States on Tuesday announced its “wind down” of the DACA program.
Here is the official memo from the Department of Homeland Security detailing the rescission and how it will play out in the weeks and months to come:
Key Takeaways:
- Pending applications as of September 5, 2017 will continue to be reviewed and processed.
- Any initial requests filed after September 5, 2017 will be rejected.
- Renewal requests filed between now and October 5, 2017 will continue to be processed if and only if the applicant’s DACA expiration date falls between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018.
- DACA protections and benefits (such as work authorization) will remain intact until DACA expires for a recipient.
- Advance parole (the ability to leave and return to the United States) is no longer an option for DACA recipients; requests for advance parole will be rejected.
Given these changes to DACA, effective immediately upon their announcement on Tuesday, consider the following:
- If you’ve not yet initially applied for DACA, do not invest in legal services for the DACA application or the DACA application fee; your request will be rejected, and you may lose your money.
- If your DACA expires between now and March 5, 2018, renew as soon as possible. You have 28 days left to submit your application as of this writing.
- Know your rights. If you have DACA, your work authorization is still valid until its expiration date.
- Do not travel outside of the United States. You may not be able to return.
A Nation Responds
Indeed. former President Barack Obama responded to the announcement on Tuesday, decrying the rescission and underscoring that politics have no place in the lives of children and young adults who simply want a means to prosper:
Laurene Powell Jobs, a vocal supporter of DACA, wrote this article for Emerson Collective, whose mission is “ removing barriers to opportunity so people can live to their full potential.”
Meanwhile, technology leaders around the country voiced their opposition to the repeal:
DACA Time’s home city of Columbus made us proud with a rally in the heart of OSU’s campus:
And, finally, here is DACA Time’s reaction to the announcement:
A Congressional Solution?
Amidst the outcry of anger and disappointment, several pieces of legislation gained some traction this week, with cosponsors being added to several bills offering similar (and enhanced) terms as DACA:
- Dream Act of 2017: 117 additional cosponsors in the House of Representatives (all Democrat)
- American Hope Act of 2017: 12 additional cosponsors (all Democrat)
- Recognizing America’s Children (RAC) Act: 7 additional cosponsors (all Republican)
Furthermore, both the Dream Act and the American Hope Act were referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security within the House of Representatives.
Advocacy and Education
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that the nation understand what DACA is and isn’t — who Dreamers are and aren’t.
Vox reported on several pieces of misinformation presented by United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions as justifications for ending DACA:
And CNN provides this piece to dispel five common myths about DACA and Dreamers:
Collectively, we must continue to educate those around us. Listen and be patient with detractors: their opposition may be due to commonly-held beliefs that are simply unfounded, and helping them understand the truths behind DACA and its benefits can change minds and change lives.
Resources and Information
Following Tuesday’s news, several sources are providing information and resources for Dreamers as they work through these troubling times. For example, Bankrate offers some lightweight financial advice for Dreamers:
And UnitedWeDream has collected a powerful repository of resources including an educator toolkit and mental health guides in addition to more general purpose information:
DACA Time is here to help. Please let us know how we can best support your communities during this troubling time. We’d love to hear from anyone who has ideas or needs, and you can reach out to us on Facebook or through the contact information you can find on our website.
