What is DACA?

DACA is the acronym for a policy known as the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.” This policy was created under the Obama administration through an executive order made in 2012. DACA grants temporary legal status to undocumented immigrants on the conditions that they graduate from high school or are honorably discharged from the military and pass a background check.

DACA is a life changing policy for many and offers thousands of young people the opportunity to pursue a life of their dreams. According to a 2020 NPR article penned by legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg, DACA has enabled its recipients to “enroll in degree programs, embark on careers, start businesses, buy homes and even marry and have 200,000 children of their own.” Totenberg also notes that recipients pay $60 billion in taxes each year. The nonprofit, anti-hate organization known as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) elaborates on the positive impact of DACA, citing the following statistics:

• 91% of recipients are currently employed

• Average hourly wage of a recipient is $17.46 per hour (compared to $10.29 before implementation of DACA)

• 45% of recipients are currently students, with 72% of them pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher

• Almost 80% have driver’s licenses (which is highly beneficial to public safety)

Recipients work in a variety of professions, a great deal of which we are reliant on for necessities; many work as doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, child care providers, cleaners, business owners, restaurant workers, and first responders. In fact, DACA is closely tied to the current pandemic, with 200,000 recipients being essential workers and 27,000 recipients being healthcare workers.