DACA: What is it? A Balanced and Sensitive Solution seems Possible

LISTEN NOW!(Or WATCH FULL PROGRAM!)Throughout media headlines and reports, some may have heard of DACA. But, what exactly is it? CNN Money recently released an understanding of what it is in simple terms. As Vanessa Yurkevich explains, “For 5 years, nearly 800,000 undocumented young people have been able to live in the U.S. because of deportation.” This is made possible by D.A.C.A., which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. When the DACA program started during the Obama Administration, it allows children to apply for “a renewable two-year visa”. As Yurkevich explains, “That allows them to work in the U.S. and saves them from deportation.”

But, not everyone can apply for D.A.C.A. There are some guidelines that must be followed to receive acceptance into the program. “Those who have been in the U.S. since 2007 and came before they turned 16; and those who were under the age of 31 before June 15, 2012 when D.A.C.A. went into effect.” This program does not guarantee citizenship, but does grant opportunities such as drivers licenses and credit cards. What is additionally surprising is the actions that were taken by those who were granted access into the program. As Yurkevich states, “5% of recipients started their own businesses, and 16% bought their first home”.

Presently, many in America are responding on what to do regarding the issue of illegal immigration. In a recent classroom discussion at the George Washington University Law School, Senator Rand Paul was asked about the issue if D.A.C.A. is unconstitutional? Regarding the topic of D.A.C.A. being unconstitutional when it was passed by an Executive Order during the Obama Administration, Paul isn’t shy about what his thoughts are regarding the matter. “I think the Executive Branch acts in an unconstitutional manner probably every day.” As he continues to elaborate on his point, “the biggest danger of you losing your freedom or liberty is from Executive over action. The biggest danger from your country going to war in a war that we shouldn’t be involved in, once again, Executive action.” Regardless of the matter unconstitutional or not, Paul expresses how his heart is toward the children it effects. Yet, on the flip side of the coin, America is a nation of laws.

Reportedly, polls have been done that reveal hundreds of millions of people across the Globe would be willing to move to America. Taking this into consideration, we cannot allow anyone and everyone to come to America. There should be some type of structured system put in place. Paul begins to present his own design of what could be implemented in our immigration program. As he points out, America currently allows about 1 million people to immigrate to America through various programs. “Make the D.A.C.A. kids part of the million.” His plan would incorporate 200,000 D.A.C.A. immigrants per year, over a five-year period without increasing the original number of 1 million immigrations. “We’re not expanding immigration. We’re not say, rewarding, we’re not taking 1.2 million next year. We’re gonna take 1 million, and 200,000 slots are people who’ve lived here for 15-20 years. That, to me, would be the reasonable compromise.” Simply stated, this is a Constitutional answer.

When people want to come into America, it is important to remember that not everyone desires to do so with the right intentions. This is the purpose of our border security and our immigration laws. If someone comes into America illegally, they are not protected by the U.S. Constitution. When someone DOES come legally, they are protected by the U.S. Constitution. This is important that we must understand and be willing to dialogue with each other about. See the full conversation about the DACA program, what it’s for, possible alternatives to implement in our immigration policy, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Border Security, Immigration Policy, Senator Rand Paul, Congress, deportation, the Obama Administration, Executive Order, the Trump Administration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, military veterans, welfare, and the U.S. Constitution. Greg and John shared in this segment.

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