As our worst fears around the fate of DACA recipients come closer to becoming reality, I find myself baffled that there are so many in this country who rejoice in this news. There are nearly a million students and workers who will be impacted by this news, and I can only hope that the American government produces legislation to protect them. I truly believe that those same individuals who stand in opposition of DACA would be the same ones requesting similar support if the shoe was on the other foot.
Here are some arguments they might use:
- They were kids when they were brought to the United States. They didn’t have a choice. It’s not like they could say, “Mom and Dad, I’m not going to the United States with you and I’m going to live on the streets by myself.”
- Some of these individuals were infants when they were brought over. They’ve spent most, if not, their entire lives in this country. It’s crazy to think they’d be sent to a country they don’t even know.
- It requires individuals to be in good standing. Anybody worried about “criminals” remaining in this country don’t have any reason to be. It’s part of the requirements of DACA not to have been convicted of a felony, serious misdemeanors, or three+ misdemeanors. Punishments for those with DACA are far worse than any normal citizen.
- It’s about basic human decency. People don’t decide to move to a new country and start at the bottom of the social ladder for just any reason. They leave because lives are threatened, livelihoods erased, and families in danger.
- They trusted the American government with all their information. In order to sign up for DACA, these individuals had to trust in and provide the American government with all their private information. To use it against them at a later date would be cruel and heartless.
Unfortunately, it can be easy for people to create barriers between themselves and people who they deem different from them. They cast judgment on other groups of people without knowing what those groups of people experienced. They create negative narratives about immigrants to dehumanize them and excuse their oppression.
Currently, there are over 800,000 DACA recipients who came to the United States as minors. They’re at risk of being forced out of the only country they’ve ever known and thrown into the unknown. If those who oppose DACA took the time to get to know a few of these DACA recipients, I’m hopeful their opinions would change if only because they would recognize the humanity in them.
Regardless, I commit to taking up the fight alongside all immigrants (documented and undocumented alike). As a Latino school leader, I will do my best to support my students and their families as they navigate this challenging terrain.
For the record, I would advocate for a comprehensive immigration reform package that addresses the needs of all undocumented immigrants in this country, and not just those who came in an minors during a certain time period.
