Today is the fifth birthday of DACA, President Obama’s deferred action program that has helped nearly 800,000 immigrant youth step out of the shadows, go to school, legally work and live their dreams. DACA has been one of the immigration reform movement’s greatest victories — and it’s helped Dreamers and their families make contributions that have lifted up America as a whole. As a 2016 report from the Center for American Progress noted:
- DACA recipients are making significant contributions to the economy by buying cars and first homes, which translate into more revenue for states and localities in the form of sales and property taxes.
- Some are even using their entrepreneurial talents to help create new jobs and further spur economic growth by starting their own businesses.
- DACA increased recipients’ average hourly wages by 42 percent.
- 95 percent of survey respondents are currently employed or enrolled in school.
- Consistent with the 2015 survey, the data indicate that many DACA recipients are getting better and higher-paying jobs because of DACA. Many are pursuing educational opportunities that were previously unavailable to them.
- DACA recipients’ economic activity is estimated to add $433.4B to U.S. GDP over a decade
On this birthday, however, the future and wellbeing of DACA, Dreamers, and immigrant families is more in question than ever before. Advocates after Trump’s election were unsure if DACA would make it to its fifth birthday. Since then, Dreamers have been framed, detained, deported, and made to fight for their DACAmented status. The threat from Trump’s presidency is real — but on DACA’s birthday today, the main message from immigrants and advocates is that they are #HereToStay.
View these tweets from our @JuanSaaa below:
My life changed 5 years ago. Thanks to #DACA I was able to get my Masters at @floridastate + apply for the job of my dreams. pic.twitter.com/3gSnnG3yVm
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Over the years, #DACA also allowed me to help my community, lease a car, help my family economically, and so much more.
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Perhaps 1 of the biggest advantages of #DACA has been the ability step away from fear/anxiety/depression that comes with being undocumented
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
And while we knew the program was always a temporarily solution, we would always need a legislative solution, it allowed DREAMers to heal
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Now the fear/anxiety/depression are back. Uncertainty about #DACA‘s future has become a paralyzingly poison that consumes many beneficiaries
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Advocates and activists will continue to fight for #immigration reform, defend #DACA, and keep families safe from Trump’s Deportation Force
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
And while DREAMers will be part of those fights, a reminder must be made that we are not bullet proof. There’s so much healing that’s needed
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Trump’s ICE Director has said that “every” undocumented immigrant should be scared. Parents of DREAMers can be deported. 1/2
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
While some DREAMers are being stripped of their DACA. Is this the environment that allows young and ambitious individual to thrive? 2/2
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
Today should be celebrated, that’s for sure. But we cannot forget that Trump is using #DACA as a way to keep #immyouth in check & in fear.
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
My parents are deportation targets
DACA could be terminated
I could lose my job and license
My brothers wouldve to drop from school— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
This is our reality as #DACA beneficiaries – and while it keeps me up at night and makes me break down from time to time, I WILL NOT STOP
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
We will keep working to protect immigrant families/communities. We will fight to protect DACA. We will fight to stop deportations.
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
I might be weighed down by fear, but I refuse to let it crush me. I love this country, this is my home, and I will fight to be recognized.
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
🎉🎂HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY DACA🎂🎉
All of your beneficiaries still remain UNDOCUMENTED. UNAFRAID. UNAPOLOGETIC.
— Juan Escalante (@JuanSaaa) June 15, 2017
View more tweets from today here or below:
