Some Consequences Of Deferred Action For Dreamers

By Rachael Gutierrez


Immigration is a topic of a great deal of debate today. There are many proponents of immigration reform, while others would love for the problem to just disappear. The majority of citizens are not clear about the possible effects of deferred action for dreamers.

Dreamers refers to younger immigrants who are here without documentation. Their reasons for being here vary. Some are seeking refuge and want to join other family members already here. Others have an interest in either continuing their education or finding work. The majority would like to be legal citizens.

Laws that let these young undocumented immigrants stay temporarily without the fear of deportation are referred to as deferred action. In June of 2012, President Obama used his executive power to order that these young immigrants be allowed to stay for a 2 year time period with no possible deportation. Hundreds of thousands applied for this opportunity. Certain specific criteria must be met for acceptance. This fails to help, however, the over eleven million of all ages who also desire legal status.

This action by President Obama resulted in some good benefits for these young people. They were now eligible to apply for a driver's license in many states. They also now had the ability to attend college or to work legally in this country if they were here for legitimate reasons. Many had been living in fear because they had no legal documents to stay here.

In 2010 The Dream Act was proposed. If passed, it would have allowed these young people to become legal citizens. However, the Senate failed to pass the legislation. A temporary act the DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was passed. However, it has problems of its own.

DACA has many critics because those with this status are treated differently from legal citizens. They are limited in their health coverage. A young woman, with this status, can legally deliver her baby in any hospital. However, she will be denied the right to receive prenatal care. Also, often people who obtain this status are treated just like people who have no documentation even with legal work permits and a social security number. They feel they are being discriminated against unfairly.

Congress has a number of bills on this issue. However, most believe they will all have a hard time being passed. Congress is notorious for stalling these issues in committee so that passage is impossible. Strong proponents on immigration reform want immigrants of all ages with no documents to have an avenue to relieve their fear of deportation. This would include all who are free from crime, and who are working legitimately. It is believed by some that if Congress continues to stall on this issue, That the President might invoke a more specific executive order. The President, however, denies any plans to do this.

Deferred action for dreamers will take a lot of work to be effective. Since it is only a temporary solution, other legislation is needed to give a more permanent status. As it stands now, their future in this country is uncertain.




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