Blog Post 1.3 - "Trump & DACA"

1. Trump was under pressure to make a decision about DACA before Monday because a group of Republicans were going to sue over its constitutionality that day.
2. DREAM was intended to benefit children who crossed into the U.S. illegally with their parents by providing them with a path to citizenship. 
3. DACA gave a temporary grant of protection from deportation and a permit to work legally. These protections last for two years, but they can be renewed. 
4. DACA recipients have to have come to the U.S. before 2007, been 15 or younger when they arrrived, and younger than 31 when DACA was created in June 2012. They also had to have a nearly spotless criminal record and either be enrolled in high school or have a high school diploma or equivalent. They also had to apply. 
5. DREAM was a moderate alternative to legalizing all 11 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States, sponsored by a Republican and a Democrat. 
6. Unauthorized immigrants are likely to grow up in low-income houses and cannot apply for federal financial aid. Also, an unauthorized status can dissuade people from following their educational dreams
7. Learning that one is illegal can lead to kids envisioning their lives like their parents. They do not think it is possible for an illegal immigrant to succeed, so they adjust their expectations, often leading to decreased motivation. 
8. Since these children are born in the United States, they are United States citizens - but their parents still aren't.
9. The program allowed illegal immigrants to apply for protection from deportation rather than relying on ICE agents to decline to deport these "low-priority" undocumented immigrants. Successful applicants apply for a commitment from the federal government for "deferred action," and they also get a work permit. Although it does not provide a path to becoming legal residents or citizens, they can do things like get a driver's license. 
10. DACA receivers have gone further educationally and economically than other illegal immigrants. Annual earnings increased by 80%. They were more commonly employed, and careers have been opened up, providing more opportunities than previously. 
11. States are suing to wind down DACA, claiming it is unconstitutional. 
12. People who have already applied will have their applications processed, but no new applications are accepted after Tuesday. Those currently under the program will continue to be protected until their permits and protections expire. If they expire before March 5, they will have one month to apply for one last renewal; anyone else will simply return to being unauthorized. 
13. Many DACA recipients can now be easily tracked down; others will have to leave their jobs or will no longer be able to apply for financial aid. This all makes it much easier to track down DACA recipients, who provided extensive personal records to the government for the program.