Let's give 'em something to DACA 'bout

On September 5, 2017, President Trump sent Attorney General Jeff Sessions to deliver news that he would be rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Since its establishment in 2012 by President Obama, DACA has protected more than 800,000 individuals from facing deportation. This protection allowed for these persons who were brought to America as children to continue their lives without the fear of being stripped away from their families, careers and lives they worked so hard to create.

Although President Trump claimed in 2017 that his administration would act on DACA "with heart," his actions voiced through AG Sessions proved otherwise. Deporting these DREAMers from our country would not only personally impact our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and friends and colleagues but would impose a devastating blow to the country as a whole. The Center for American Progress has estimated that America would lose close to $460 billion over the next ten years if DACA is not continued and Congress does not act to protect DREAMers. You can read more about the ways DACA recipients have positively impacted the American economy, education system and employment here. I want you to know that I am working diligently to pass legislation to keep these DREAMers in America, where they belong.

AMERICAN HOPE ACT H.R. 3591

• Allow DACA beneficiaries and other DREAMers to apply for Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) status with a path to U.S. Citizenship.

• Improve college affordability for undocumented youth and other immigrants by repealing rules that limit their access to in-state tuition and college loans.

• Treat all DREAMers brought to the United States as young children the same, regardless of education level, military service or work history.

DREAM ACT H.R. 3440

This will allow young people to earn lawful permanent residence, and eventually American citizenship if they:

• Are longtime residents who came to the U.S. as children.

• Graduate from high school or obtain a GED.

• Pursue higher education, work lawfully for at least three years or join the military.

• Pass security and law enforcement background checks and pay a reasonable application fee.

• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language and a knowledge of United States history.

• Have not committed a felony or other serious crimes and do not pose a threat to our country.

Posted courtesy of Latino Lubbock Magazine News