Proposal: Path to Citizenship for DACA Recipients
Introduction
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, established in 2012, provides temporary relief from deportation and work authorization to individuals brought to the United States as children. However, these individuals, known as Dreamers, face significant uncertainty regarding their legal status, as DACA does not provide a direct path to citizenship. Dreamers have lived in the U.S. for an average of 23 years, growing up as integral members of our communities, contributing to the economy, and raising families of their own. It is imperative that Congress address this issue by creating a path to citizenship for Dreamers, recognizing their contributions to American society and the unfairness of removing them from the only country many have ever known.
Current Status of Dreamers
As of 2024, approximately 600,000 individuals are enrolled in DACA, while around 1.7 million meet the eligibility criteria for the program. On average, Dreamers were brought to the U.S. at the age of 7, and for most, this is the only country they truly know. A significant percentage of DACA recipients are well-educated, with over 50% having completed some form of higher education. They are also vital to the workforce, with approximately 93% of DACA recipients employed in industries such as healthcare, education, technology, and business. A study conducted by the Center for American Progress (CAP) found that DACA recipients contribute $42 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
Despite these contributions, DACA recipients are in a legal limbo. The program, which was intended as a temporary measure, leaves Dreamers vulnerable to legal and political changes. Court rulings in recent years have challenged the program, and without permanent legislation, DACA recipients live under the constant threat of deportation, facing separation from their families and communities.
The Moral and Social Case for Citizenship
1. Length of Residency: The majority of DACA recipients have spent over two decades living in the U.S. Many have little to no connection to their country of origin, and forcing them to return would be a grave injustice. The U.S. is their home, and they have proven themselves to be valuable members of society.
2. Family Impact: Many Dreamers are now parents and spouses, raising U.S.-born children. Deporting them would lead to family separation, which not only has devastating emotional consequences but also places an undue burden on the social welfare system. According to a CAP study, 250,000 U.S.-born children have at least one parent who is a DACA recipient. Protecting family unity is a fundamental American value, and it is in the best interest of the country to ensure that Dreamers can remain with their families.
3. Economic Contributions: DACA recipients contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. According to a 2021 survey, DACA recipients pay $5.6 billion in federal taxes and $3.1 billion in state and local taxes annually. Losing this workforce would result in a substantial economic loss. Dreamers are business owners, educators, healthcare workers, and professionals who strengthen the U.S. labor market. In particular, over 20,000 DACA recipients are frontline healthcare workers, playing a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. National Security and Law Enforcement: A path to citizenship for Dreamers also aligns with national security interests. DACA recipients have undergone rigorous background checks and must renew their status every two years, ensuring that they are law-abiding residents. Offering them permanent legal status would allow law enforcement agencies to focus on genuine security threats rather than individuals who have contributed positively to society.
The Legal Precedent for Citizenship
Multiple court rulings, including decisions by the Supreme Court, have highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the DACA program. While DACA recipients currently enjoy temporary relief, courts have consistently ruled that a legislative solution is required to provide lasting protection. In the 2020 Supreme Court case Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, the Court ruled that the Trump administration’s attempt to end DACA was unlawful. However, this decision did not address the underlying issue of permanent legal status for Dreamers.
Congress has the authority and responsibility to create a path to citizenship, as it has done in previous instances of large-scale immigration reform. For example, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 provided a pathway to legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants who had been living in the U.S. for an extended period. Similarly, Dreamers should be afforded the same opportunity to become citizens of the country they call home.
Conclusion
Dreamers are an essential part of the fabric of American society. They have lived, studied, worked, and contributed to their communities for decades. It is both a moral and practical imperative that the U.S. government create a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. By doing so, we will not only recognize their contributions but also uphold American values of fairness, family unity, and opportunity.
This proposal urges Congress to pass legislation that provides Dreamers with a direct path to citizenship, ensuring that they can continue to live and thrive in the country they have called home for the majority of their lives.