I come from an immigrant family.
My mother lived in Montreal, Canada before she decided to come to the United States to build a better life for her family. I was one of the lucky ones who had a parent whose situation allowed her to go through the proper channels to come here. She could have easily been a refugee coming from a war-torn nation or a country that had no positive outlook for her and her family. But again, we were lucky and now I have the full rights and liberties as any other citizen of this great nation. It is because of that freedom that I express in absolute rage and disgust of Trumps new plan to scrap DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
What is DACA:
- DACA is a program that started in June 2012.
- It allows young illegal immigrants to register with the federal government and obtain a work permit as well as receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation.
- Most of the youth in this program came to the United States when they were babies, and toddlers and did not know they were illegal immigrants until they attempted to apply for a driver’s license or to go to college.
- The program does not provide lawful status or a path to citizenship, nor does it provide eligibility for federal welfare or student aid.
DACA eligibility:
- You cannot have a criminal record, which includes a felony, or misdemeanor.
- You must be enrolled in school, have a graduate degree, or be an honorable veteran.
- You must arrive in the U.S. before the age of 16.
- Be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
To show proof of qualification, all applicants must submit three forms –
- I-821D: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
- I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
- I-765WS: Worksheet
This policy was created after acknowledging that the youth that came here at such tender ages were “low priority” for immigration enforcement to pursue considering their good behavior, which is why the act of terminating it is so ridiculous. Freedom… the ability to choose how to live your life, in the way you wish to live it, free from tyranny, and prosecution, should not be of question for these young people who have done everything required of them.
Earlier this week (9/5/17) I spent most of my evening at the DACA rally in Foley SQ Park, NY trying to understand the sentiment of the people and how they are handling the latest jab to our nation’s identity, and I can proudly say that I was not disappointed.
I saw people from all walks of life holding up signs such as:
- No Hate, No Fear, Democracy is here
- F*&^ Trump
- Immigrants BELONG here
- Build Bridges NOT WALLS
It was amazing to see everyone come together and stand against a common threat to what makes this country great… Immigrants.
We are all immigrants in the U.S., and watching our leaders fail again and again is the main reason our country is so divided. It isn’t the Republicans versus the Democrats, or Christians against Muslims, or anything else that is being thrown around in the media. It’s a truth that is ingrained in our very history that is being ignored, and that truth is that we all came here to make our lives, and those we care about, better. If we can’t do that, what does it even mean to be an American?
More on DACA? Trump Ends DACA, America’s Top Universities Respond
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