My Suggestions For DACA Dreamers

“The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was an American immigration policy that allowed some individuals who entered the country as minors, and had either entered or remained in the country illegally, to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit.

As of 2017, approximately 800,000 individuals—referred to as Dreamers after the DREAM Act bill—were enrolled in the program created by DACA.

The policy was established by the Obama Administration in June 2012 and rescinded by the Trump Administration in September 2017.” (Source)

No new applications were accepted after the announcement on Sept. 5,2017 and renewals would only be accepted until Oct. 5, 2017 for certain categories of recipients.
If legislative action is not taken, DACA recipients could begin to lose benefits on March 6, 2018.

Dreamer Requirements

DACA is not a free ride in the US. There are certain hoops that Dreamers must jump through in order to stay in the US legally. Here are a few.

The Migration Policy Institute saidin 2016 that about 9 million people were eligible for DACA.
About 788,000 have had their requests for DACA status accepted, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In order to apply for DACA, immigrants had to be younger than 31on June 15, 2012.
They must have come to the U.S. before turning 16. They must have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007. (Source)

If They Stay —Under What Conditions?

If you were in charge what conditions would you put on Dreamers to remain in this country? Here are a few of mine.

If you serve honorably in the US Military then you should be eligible for citizenship provided you are able to pass the citizenship test and speak and write the English language.
If you’re a high school dropout then you need to have a high school equivalency or GED completed before age 21.
A GED or equivalent before age 21 would qualify you for a green card and permanent residency. It would be revoked if you were jailed for more than 30 days.
If you’re jailed for a felony conviction then you’re gone as soon as you complete your sentence. No appeal, no exceptions.
Dreamers, other than military, who want to become citizens, have to go back to their home country and apply like those who did it legally.

Some Final Thoughts

We are a country of immigrants. We are a country of compassion but we are also a country of laws. We can’t pick and choose the laws we want to follow or not follow.

While this segment of society find themselves here through no fault of their own they still bear the burden of personal responsibility to be a productive citizen of this country. Something their parents should have taught them from their first day in America.

What’s your opinion? Comments below.