12th Anniversary of DACA Highlights Urgent Need for Executive Action

Washington, D.C. – June 15th marks the 12th anniversary of the ​​Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted temporary relief from deportation to undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

In response, Immigration Hub Executive Director Kerri Talbot issued the following statement:

“Today we celebrate the hundreds of thousands of Dreamers who, with the help of DACA protections, have spent the last twelve years building their American Dream: graduating from high school and college, entering the workforce, and starting their own families. Since its inception in 2012, DACA has provided an essential peace of mind–not only for the Dreamers it protects, but for the families, friends, and community members whose lives are made richer by them. 

“But DACA was never meant to be a permanent solution, nor was it meant to be an exhaustive one. Over these same twelve years, Dreamers and advocates have worked tirelessly to convince policymakers to break through partisan gridlock and create a path to citizenship for long-settled immigrants. Unfortunately, partisan gridlock is the only thing extremist GOP lawmakers seem to be able to commit to. Today, as we await yet another decision from the courts, we face what may be the DACA program’s final anniversary.

“In the face of this intransigence, it is up to President Biden to take executive actions that would protect these long-term immigrants–not only Dreamers, but also spouses of U.S. citizens, and parents caring for citizen children and family members with disabilities or acute needs. The love that keeps American families together shouldn’t be broken, it should be protected. Not only do American voters support this path forward, but American values mandate it.”

Immigration Hub Senior Manager of Federal Advocacy Daishi Miguel-Tanaka issued the following statement:

“I am a proud recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Although I was born in Japan, I grew up in Southern California and was able to attend Harvard University after receiving protections. The program was my saving grace to work and provide for my undocumented family. As a contributing member of our labor force since, I have paid thousands of dollars in taxes each year, the same as many Americans. Due to congressional failure to provide a path to a work permit or green card for Dreamers, the futures of hundreds of thousands of doctors, teachers, and students who are actively contributing to American prosperity and economic growth are threatened. 

“Now more than ever, policymakers must come together on a permanent solution. If they are unable, the onus is then on President Biden to act.

“At a time when the nation’s labor supply is dwindling, harmful misinformation continues to distort the overwhelmingly positive impact Dreamers like myself have had on our country and economy. Dreamers already give so much to this country; it is time for our leaders to recognize us as the Americans we truly are and open pathways to citizenship so we can keep contributing to the country we call home.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.