Statement from Homeland Security
Issued on June 15, 2017
Policy Summary
On June 15th the Department of Homeland Security signaled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or Dream Act would remain in effect. In the same press release, it stated that the proposed program Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents would be canceled This means that while the 800,000 Dreamers now living in the US will be safe from deportation, their parents will not be. Even though the law will remain in place, Dreamers have already been facing increased deportation under the Trump administration. During just the first two weeks of Trump’s presidency, 43 Dreamers were deported due to criminal behavior, while under the Obama Administration deportations of Dreamers average just 7 a month.
Analysis
Trump’s decision to uphold the DACA came after an intense lobbying effort from immigration groups which highlighted the political risk of rescinding the law. Nevertheless, this is no time to become complacent as many members of the Trump Administration are still pushing for the rescindment of the DACA. For instance: Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he “can’t promise dreamers won’t be deported”.The Trump administration decision to back down from its long-stated intention of repealing the DACA gives hope, as it shows how an organized Grassroots lobbying effort happening on the local level, can significantly influence policy on the national level.
Engagement Resources
- Take Action with United We Dream – United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. They organize and advocate for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.
- Get involved with the American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”They have been actively involved in court cases challenging the Trump Administration on Immigration.
- Resistance Manual – Crisis Resources – If you know someone who is facing immigration troubles, please share this compendium of legal resources and relevant nonprofit organizations with them.
This brief was compiled by William Lucier. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact william@usresistnews.org.
