DACA turns 10, still faces uncertain future
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA, is being celebrated by immigrant advocates Wednesday as it marks its tenth anniversary. It's also facing an unclear future. Many activists are holding a day of action to demand a permanent solution.
The federal program provides deportation protections for those brought to the U.S. as children, known as “dreamers."
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was created during the Obama administration when President Biden was Vice President. Exactly a decade ago, Former President Barack Obama signed an executive order creating the DACA program.
Since then, the program has endured victories and setbacks. Despite a Supreme Court victory in 2020, the future of the program is still uncertain. The program is no longer enrolling people due to a court challenge led by Republicans in Texas. Arguments in that case are scheduled for next month.
Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. sent a statement to News Channel 3 about the anniversary.
“On the tenth anniversary of the DACA program, I recognize the invaluable contributions that DACA recipients and their families bring to our country. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I will continue to work con puño y fuerza in our fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Enough is enough, and now is the time for 10 Senate Republicans to get on board with the bipartisan Dream and Promise Act that we passed out of the House. We must modernize our broken immigration system; keep families together; strengthen our economy, provide pathways to citizenship; and live up to our nation's values of hope, opportunity, and the American dream,”
Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36)
WATCH: Coachella Valley 'Dreamer' is virtual guest at State of the Union
On social media, many California government officials are showing support for Dreamers, DACA activism, and laws that affect the future standing.
Here is a tweet from the Governor's office:
The program has offered about 825,000 people a chance to change their lives if they met eligibility requirements that allowed them to apply for renewable two-year work permits, Social Security cards, and driver’s licenses.
In Washington, D.C. today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, joined a group of bipartisan lawmakers and #WithDACA – a coalition comprised of various pro-immigration organizations – to provide remarks in honor of the 10th anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and to call on Congress to pass Dream Act legislation.
"Today on the 10th anniversary of DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Over 200 Dreamers, employers and presidents are on Capitol Hill today. We're urging Congress for a permanent bipartisan protection for all of our Dreamers," said Rep. Maria Salazar, R-FL.
LINK FOR MORE: California Department of Social Services DACA contacts
