DACA Recipients Face Uncertainty, Again
- Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
- May 28, 2021
- 3 min read
LOS ANGELES, CA -- The House has passed the Citizenship Act of 2021. Originally the Senate was supposed to vote on the bill sometime during April. However, as April comes to an end it seems that Republicans will not support the bill. Even though it would provide a citizenship path for over 2 million essential workers that live in the United States and work in essential services.
During the Obama administration, many undocumented young immigrants were able to apply for temporary protection. Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would provide temporary legal status for those brought into the country as children.
Now almost ten years later these children form part of essential services like educators, nurses and food industry workers.
Dreamers as DACA recipients are known faced uncertainty these past four years under the Trump administration. Former President Trump and other Republicans fought hard to terminate DACA and Temporary Protected Status (TPS.) Although they were not successful.
The Biden administration made many promises for the undocumented community. These promises included an immigration bill that would provide citizenship the over 11 million undocumented immigrants that reside in the United States.
The introduction of the Citizenship Act of 2021 gave hope to many, especially those protected under DACA, TPS or those working in agriculture. It emphasized providing permanent protection to those who are essential workers.
(Credit: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency // Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers chart)
Data from the Center for American Progress shows that over 200,000 DACA recipients work as essential workers. This past year those same workers have aided the American people during the fight against the COVID pandemic. Many putting their lives at risk as nurses among other essential services.
While Republicans recognize that Dreamers are a worthy cause they still oppose voting for a bill that would provide permanent protection.
During late April Senator Mitch McConnell said, "well, all I can tell you is that everybody is sympathetic with the DACA issue." McConnell added it was unlikely that Republicans were to support a stand-alone bill for DACA recipients.
The reason was none other than what he called a border crisis. McConnell referred to the many undocumented immigrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border and the ones already in ICE custody.
This raised concerns for both immigrants and immigration advocates.
However, there may still be hope as Senators John Cornyn and Krysten Sinema announced a bipartisan bill. The Bipartisan Border Solutions Act of 2021 would include more staff at the border and faster scheduling of migrant cases during migrant influx.
The American for Civil Liberties Union released a statement that addressed the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act. Stating that the bill would keep using the flawed system that is currently in place.
Jonathan Blazer the Director of Border Strategies ended the statement with "Americans deserve thoughtful, humane solutions to address our broken immigration system that don't inflict further harms on people fleeing danger.”
What began as a hopeful year for those who had faith in the Biden administration has turned into an endless wait. There are promises that have not been fulfilled. DACA and TPS recipients both want actions.
By: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
Contribution: The Hill
Photo: CISA.gov
Audio: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez (commentary)
Video: Miriam Frutos Rodriguez
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Comments