DACA, an Opportunity For The Dreamers

Citizens that come to the United States without documentation are known as “illegals” or “aliens.” Some of these immigrants are called “dreamers” because they were brought to the US when they were young and had no say in being “illegal”. Some of them are even unaware of their status and might even think they are just like any other citizen.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) offers protection and a new frontier for education for these who are “dreamers” to chase their dreams. DACA impacts undocumented students in many positive ways, because it gives them the opportunity to pursue an education and be protected legally. DACA provides for over 800,000 illegal immigrants, and all of them rely on the program for relief and protection.
Daniel Bush, author of the article, “Trump’s decision to end DACA”, said, “Nearly 800,000 people have been approved under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, known as DACA, since the program was created by executive order by then-President Barack Obama in 2012.”
Some undocumented students make use of the program to protect themselves as they pursue an education in the states. DACA provides a deferral that can last for and provides more opportunities than just a safe education.
“DACA gives participants a two-year deferral – which can be renewed – from being considered for deportation, and also grants work authorized,” Bush said.
Along with being protected from deportation, DACA participants are able to work legally. This protects immigrants so they can make a honest living while they live independently. Going hand in hand with protecting undocumented immigrant DACA also makes it possible for “dreamers” to get the proper education they need.
“Dreamers” come from all different backgrounds from Central America to various countries in Asia. In Gordon Ip’s case his family brought him over from Hong Kong when he four years old, and did not have any say; in the U.S he and his brother were able to get a proper education while being protected by DACA.
“I’m a DACA student and I’m praying ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) won’t pick up any parents,” Ip said in an interview with the LA Times.“My parents’ status stayed the same, but DACA changed my life and my brother’s. I received a state scholarship to UNO (University of New Orleans)… My brother graduated from California State Long Beach, and right away got a job in graphic design.”
DACA makes it so“dreamers” do not have to dream and can go out and get scholarships, as well as a college education that will allow them to contribute to society. This education is not just good for “dreamers” but their parents.
“‘Finish your education here,’ they told me,” Ip said. “‘Otherwise, what did we do all of this for? What did we sacrifice all these years for?’”
DACA can provide education to undocumented students, and proper protection from deportation. Illegal students would normally will never receive a college education, but DACA can provide them with the proper education they need. Not only providing them with college education, it also protects them from deportation by the authorities.