The Dream Act
The DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) law allows certain young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to obtain temporary permission to legally reside and work.
Young beneficiaries:
People who arrived in the U.S. before turning 16.
Continuous Residence:
Must have continuously resided in the U.S. since June 2007
Eligibility:
Includes being in school, having graduated, or having obtained a general education certificate (GED), or being a veteran of the armed forces.
Background:
No significant criminal record or multiple minor offenses.
The DACA Law
The DREAM Act (Development, Assistance, and Education for Alien Minors) is key in California and other states. It allows undocumented minors brought to the U.S. before age 16 to meet state enrollment requirements and be eligible for academic financial aid.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Due to the failure to pass the DREAM Act, the Obama administration implemented the DACA program in 2012, providing Dreamers with temporary protections.
- Protection against deportation for a renewable period of two years.
- Work permit to legally work in the U.S.
- Possibility of obtaining a driver's license and other social benefits in some states
DACA Recipients
DACA recipients are diverse, arriving in the U.S. on average in 1999 at age 7. More than a third arrived before age 5. They represent more than 195 countries, primarily Mexico (81%), El Salvador (4%), Guatemala (3%), Honduras (2%), and Peru (1%).
The DREAM Act
Offers legal status to young undocumented immigrants if they meet certain requirements.
- Arrival in the US before the age of 16.
- Continuous residence in the US for a specific period (generally, five years before the enactment of the law).
- Graduation from a high school in the USA or equivalent, or have been admitted to an institution of higher education.
- Good moral conduct no significant criminal record.
Impact and Controversies
- Contributions: Dreamers are essential to American society. They have grown up in the US, consider themselves Americans and contribute to the local economy, culture and communities.
- Legal Uncertainty: DACA has faced legal challenges and changing policies. In 2017, the Trump administration attempted to rescind it, leading to legal battles. In 2020, the Supreme Court declared the termination illegal, allowing DACA to continue. The Biden administration is working to strengthen it.
- Future of Dreamers: The Dreamers' situation remains uncertain. Immigration advocates and lawmakers are advocating for a permanent solution that would grant them a path to citizenship.
Life of the Dreamers
- Education and Work: With DACA, Dreamers can access educational and employment opportunities, allowing them to contribute significantly to the economy and their communities.
- Challenges: Despite these opportunities, Dreamers face constant challenges due to uncertainty over their legal status and potential deportations.
Community and Political Support
- Support Organizations: Numerous organizations advocate for the rights of Dreamers, offering legal resources, emotional support, and awareness campaigns.
- Bipartisan Support:Although immigration policy is a divisive issue in the United States, there has been bipartisan support at different times to protect Dreamers and seek a permanent legislative solution.
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