Erreguin 1

Eric A. Erreguin

English-101

Instructor: M. Batty

30 May 2019

DACA: If You Can Dream it, You Can Do It

Those of us who are born in the United States, have the privilege to be educated. We take

it for granted, our enroll for educational institutions. Unfortunately, not all students are born with

social securities and legal documents. Just imagine, if you were ineligible to apply to school,

work or any finance purpose, due to no fault of your own. Students who are categories to be

undocumented, are offered to apply with the DACA Program. DACA is an abbreviated program,

known as “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival.” Also known as the “Dream Act,”

Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors. Its purpose is to reform how challenging it

is to succeed as an undocumented immigrant. This program was established in 2012, during

Barrack Obama’s presidency. It is to help undocumented students with their finance. Approved

to pursue their enrollment in education, without the risk of deportation. To become eligible,

enrolling students are required to be living in the United States since 2007. However, registered

under DACA, does not guarantee full citizenship. Although, it assists them with opportunities to

receive work permits. They are to be employed legally as they are enrolled in academics. And

their citizenship must have a clean record. Including, to have their high school academics

completed, with a graduation diploma.

Being an undocumented citizen, limits your opportunities to live in liberty. As children,

transitioning to teenagers, most did not realize they were undocumented when they could not

relate with their friends and classmates. As soon as they realize, their citizenship is not
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equivalent to those who are privileged, they accept the easier routes to their reality. Working

agricultural jobs, where degrees are not needed. Their motivation is low, and do not visualize the

strong possibilities of succeeding in college. It is a resemblance of their parents; it does not mean

they will be deported or will be optioning to leave the country. For this reason, they are not

registered with a social security number. Unable to register for financial aid or apply for a

driver’s license. Their communication skills and work experience is mutual as their parents.

Unauthorized immigrants are more than likely to come from low income families. Which

explains their progress in high school graduates, and their effort to continue from the high school

level. Moreover, tuition for students can be expensive. The undocumented are ineligible for any

for grants or financial aid. Which makes their possibility of enrollment an unsanctioned standing.

This concept of thought has been labeled as “Transition to Illegality” (Gonzales/Harvard.)

All serviceable study declares most DACA students have reached more

accomplishments, economically and academically. Compared to unauthorized immigrants, not

registered under DACA. In a Survey by Wong from VOX, the statistics approximately declare

eighty percent of current and former recipients receive $20,000-$36,000 of annual income. Five

percent have now become business owners. With sixty-five purchasing their first vehicle, and

sixteenth percent purchasing their first home property. Compared to possible lives they could

have inherited, if their parents had decided not to migrate.

Earlier this year, a California judge issued a ruling to revive the DACA program, over the

Trump Administration. Application may still be received by students, who are renewing their

expired applications. Expiration of DACA, is not an instinctive of deportation, but does not

protect them from deportation either. Even though, undocumented people want to apply for

DACA, their request may not be granted. Their eligibility can be revoked, because they may not
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reach the requirements. Such as, not completing high school or receiving a GED. Only about 5

percent of this population graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, one fifth

of this population remain in school. In like manner, which is why DACA would be a great level

of support for undocumented students. Unfortunately, the DACA project was removed in March

2018. The Current progress on record, comes from one of VOX’s articles in January 2019. It is

estimated, only 700,000 DACA students remain eligible for a renewal. On the other hand, these

students are not awarded citizenship, as DACA has been vetoed at this time (Lind/VOX.) DACA

recipients are now at risk of deportation. If DACA continued as an active arrangement, it can be

probable that 1.2-1.4 million eligible applications would be approved to be recipients.

One DACA recipient I personally know, shared his personal story. As an undocumented

immigrant and transitioning to a DACA recipient, His name is Fernando. Born in Jalisco,

Mexico of May 1991 (28 Years of Age.) As a toddler, His father was living in Los Angeles to

provide income. Meanwhile, Fernando and his mother remained in Mexico. At the age of six,

himself and his mother were going to migrate to Los Angeles illegally. In order to unite with his

father, Fernando and his mom would have to be smuggled in two different routes. Fernando was

to cross the San Diego/Tijuana Border with a relative they knew. Fernando was to be identified

as someone else, using his cousin’s birth certificate and documents. Meanwhile, his mother was

to go another route. She traveled through a desert in Northern Mexico, leading her to Arizona.

“This was very crazy for me; I was six years old and did not understand what was going on

during this time. For the first time in my life, I was separated from my mother. And was

commanded to be identified under another name. I just cried the whole time and wanted to be

united with my mother.” quoted Fernando. “After crossing the border, I was scared. I was going

to meet my father. I never met him before until that day, when I crossed. He was so relieved to
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see me after six years; however, I was shocked I had finally met him. Yet, still concerned on

what could be happening hundreds of miles away with my mother. The challenges she could be

facing. Within the next two days, she made it to Los Angeles safely, we were all united for the

first time as a family.”

Since his arrival in 1997, Fernando has avoided illegal trouble in the US. Has graduated

with a High School Diploma from John F. Kennedy High School in 2009. Without legal

documents, it was difficult for him to enroll in college. After 2011, he took a break from

community college, and began working full time. Only a year later in 2012, the DACA

movement came into effect. He attempted to enroll in his academics, to pursue his major in

business. Unfortunately, hoping to be protected from immigration, receive documents and

continue enrollment for school; DACA was removed in March 2018. However, Fernando has not

given up on his academics. He pursues his enrollment for school, hopes DACA will assist him

again. Most importantly, assist him with his documentation. Once and for all, he wants to feel

less afraid, and more American.

Dreamers should have backup support to enroll in education. As if finding employment is

not challenging enough for them. It is unfair how some may be as American as everybody else,

but are not equal to everybody because they were born somewhere else. The Dreamers are the

originality of the youth, whom were brought over with their parents, with no fault of their own.

They are brought over to seek better opportunities; they should be granted citizenship and access

to education without the fear of deportation.

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Work Cite:

Casey, Marguerite
I Weep for the Children of DACA
HUFFPOST|©2019 Verizon Media. All rights reserved.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/i-weep-for-the-children-of-
daca_us_59c43706e4b0f2df5e83ad12

Jordan, Miriam & Patel,Sona

For Thousands of ‘Dreamers,’ It Has Been a Wild Ride. And It’s Not Over Yet.
“The young undocumented immigrants have seen their hopes alternately elevated
and dashed, sometimes in a single week.”
© 2019 The New York Times Company
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/us/daca-dreamers-court-ruling.html

Lind, Dara
9 facts that explain DACA, the immigration program Trump is ending
“How DACA works, who it protects, & what will happen to immigrants after it
runsout.”
Advertise with us Jobs @ Vox Media © 2019 Vox Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/31/16226934/daca-trump-dreamers-

immigration