Argumentative Essay: DACA
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Argumentative Essay: DACA
Introduction
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival is a policy created in 2012 by President Obama. DACA aims at preventing the deportation of people who were brought to the United States under the age of sixteen years and did not have legal residency status or citizenship. To apply for DACA, one needs to have served in the military, have a diploma, or apply in high school. DACA only lasts for two years and can be renewed but does not provide privileges to apply for citizenship. DACA allows one to get an education, a job, or insurance from an employer. The ability to get a job means that people under DACA have a chance to sustain their livelihood and pay for education. Trump’s administration promised to abolish DACA but was bared by the Supreme Court (Dickerson, 2020). In 2020, the Supreme Court upheld DACA stating that Trump’s administration did not offer any substantial threat that DACA had to the United States.
There has been divided opinion on whether children of illegal immigrants should have the chance to attain American citizenship. The argument is whether the United States government should honor DACA and whether children of illegal immigrants should have a chance to gain American citizenship.
Pew Research Center conducted a survey that found out more than half of America’s adult population support DACA in that children of illegal immigrants should be given legal status (Manuel, 2020). The majority of DACA supporters are Hispanics and democrats. Supporters of DACA believe that those covered under the DACA policy help improve American society economically, socially, and academically. Children covered by DACA are often referred to as “dreamers” because they came to America to seek refuge and a better life. Supporters of DACA claim that deporting children of illegal immigrants means taking them away from the place they call home and diminishing their potential of becoming who they want to be. Those who reject DACA, however, have a completely different view of people covert by the policy. Critics of DACA claim that immigrant children take away their jobs and stretch American resources thin. DACA critics state that immigrant children diminish America’s culture and values and that DACA encourages lawlessness and high immigration numbers.
Opponents of DACA do not have clear bases for their arguments. No evidence shows that immigrant children take away jobs meant for Americans or somewhat damage America’s traditional values (Manuel, 2020). Research done shows the complete opposite of what DACA opponents claim. Immigrant children are often hard-working hence improving America’s economy, and their cultural diversity creates a culturally rich American society.
Giving legal status to illegal immigrant children means that they can have an education hence making them independent and reducing illiteracy levels in America. DACA offers a chance for immigrant children to get medical insurance, which is very important in crisis times. DACA offers an opportunity to serve in the military, which increases the human resources needed to keep America safe from its enemies. DACA serves as a symbol of hope for many immigrant children in that they have a better chance of archiving their goals.
Conclusion
DACA is a progressive policy that ensures the protection of all people in America. However, there should be regulations that ensure reluctance and make it okay to break the law. Illegal immigrant children should be given a chance to pursue their dreams in America and not be threatened with deportation or any form of discrimination. People brought to America should be given the basic legal status that ensures progressive existence at a young age.
References
Caitlin Dickerson, (2020). What is DACA, and how did it end up in the Supreme Court? The New York Times.com. https://www.nytimes.com/article/what-is-daca.html
Jens Manuel, (2020). Americans broadly support legal status for immigrants brought to the US illegally as children. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/06/17/americans-broadly-support-legal-status-for-immigrants-brought-to-the-u-s-illegally-as-children/