Explanation of DACA and what it means to recipients

Many people don’t understand DACA and what it does.  DACA is an acronym for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It was created by President Obama in 201. These are young individuals who came to this country as undocumented minors under the age of 16. Since its creation, recipients have been protected from immediate deportation along and granted work authorization.

It is estimated that more than 800,000 DACA recipients currently reside in the U.S., 7,600 of those right here in Wisconsin.

For the past five years, these people, also known as DREAMERS, have been granted the ability to live, work, and attend college in the U.S. without fear of deportation for two years, as long as they don’t commit a crime.

It can be renewed.

While on the campaign trail, then candidate Trump said he wanted to eliminate DACA but after taking office, he said the DREAMERS, “had nothing to worry about.”

The change in stance has immigration attorneys like Mark Christopher paying close attention to the upcoming decision by the President to get rid of DACA.

“What we are going to see is a huge economic impact on our United States,” explains Christopher. “We have 800,000 people who entered into the United States, not of their own volition maybe with parents or relatives or to escape harm or torture.”

Some local DACA recipients say the future may be frightening but they still have high hopes for a decision that will keep them in this country with their families.

“I wan to go to college some day and grow as a person,” says Fernanda Jimenez, DACA recipient. “I may be from another country but I call this my one home, and that’s what other people do too.”

It is important to note that on Friday House Speaker Paul Ryan encouraged Trump to let legislators figure out DACA.

Trump’s press secretary says he is expected to announce his decision on Tuesday.