Everything You Need to Know About America’s Dreamers
The undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children are a generation often described as “Dreamers.” Their parents brought them to this nation when they were too young to get a say in the matter, thus making them products of America. Most Dreamers identify as Mexican, Honduran, or Guatemalan.
The term “Dreamers” originated from the DREAM Act, designed in 2001 to offer legal status to children of illegal immigrants in the United States. In return, the newly protected children would attend college or join the military. In 2010, a later drafted version of the DREAM Act was voted down by the Senate. Nonetheless, the name stuck.
According to CNN, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) under Obama has 787,580 Dreamers under its protection. To be able to apply to DACA one must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16 and have lived here since June 15, 2007. No person over the age of 30, when the Department of Homeland Security enacted the 2012 policy, is allowed to apply either.
DACA strives to allow its recipients to be able to obtain valid driver’s licenses, enroll in college and secure legal jobs. But, just like any other American, the Dreamers have to take on responsibilities, including paying income taxes.
With the Trump administration deciding to end DACA, there is a nervous energy on the Hill as the question, “What next?” is debated. What would happen will vary from immigrant to immigrant. Some are worried for the sake of others in their family, who do not qualify as Dreamers. Others are worried they will face deportation. Students that are protected under the act will be able to stay in school, but may risk having to relinquish their financial aid.
The point is that these Dreamers aren’t kids anymore, and America is their home. So, it is our responsibility as Americans to ensure there is a functional program in place to grant immunity to those that are seeking a fulfilling life. If Congress does not pass a measure protecting DACA recipients, nearly 320,000 people could lose their status, and more than 300,000 would face threats of deportation. The issue is that there is very little momentum to build on, and to have another bill pushed through for the Dreamers is unlikely.
A student from Georgetown University, who attended the DACA Protest at the White House on September 5th, couldn’t have put it better.
“I think that attempting to deport people who have built a life here and are trying to get an education goes against the ideals of our country. These people have not done anything wrong, and many of the recipients of DACA don’t even know Mexico. Sending them to a country that they don’t know anything about is committing them to hardships that are not necessary. I was convinced to go because I myself am of Mexican descent and wanted to support the people who have just as much of a right to be here as I do. It was really eye-opening experience to see like minded people band together in support of their fellow Americans.”
Having Americans march on to the White House and tell Congress to figure out a solution in the next few months is a good start, but it will not alleviate the stress from the Dreamers’ shoulders. With DACA winding down, they must hope that Congress can do something for them, while preparing for the fact that their days may be numbered. And while they begin to prepare for what is to come, institutions and individuals must do what they can to continue protecting them. Universities such as Georgetown, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia, have made efforts to openly advocate for their Dreamers. We cannot make them invincible, but we can offer aid and protection to an extent. That is our obligation to our fellow Americans.
