Thirteen years ago, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was introduced by former U.S. President Barack Obama, allowing children brought to the U.S. illegally to pursue education and employment without the threat of deportation.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Obama highlighted DACA as an example of the country’s potential to be both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.
Despite this, DACA recipients—often referred to as Dreamers—continue to face an uncertain future. Currently, there are over 500,000 DACA recipients across the United States, with more than 100,000 residing in Texas alone.
For many Dreamers, like Marco Cruz-Linares, the U.S. is the only home they have ever known.
Cruz-Linares, who arrived in the U.S. at the age of nine and just earned a degree in political science from the University of Houston-Downtown, is determined to continue his education by attending law school next fall.
“I’ve been living here my entire life since I was nine years old,” Marco Cruz-Linares stated. “I am a Texan. The way I see the world is like an American.”
Another DACA recipient, Kenia Cueva, came to the United States from El Salvador at the age of four.
Kenia applied for DACA when she was eleven years old and has closely observed the immigration policy debates and court decisions.
She expressed her worries for herself and her family, stating, “This is pretty much my home. It’s worrisome. It’s an everyday thing. My parents, they do worry. We’re all immigrants. We’re not sure what the next thing might provide for us.”
Since the inception of DACA, recipients like Marco and Kenia have enjoyed opportunities to work and learn legally in the U.S.
Kenia, who now works at the immigration law firm Naimeh Salem & Associates, reflected on her gratitude for DACA, saying, “I am honestly grateful that I have DACA. I am able to provide for my family, being able to have a job.”
However, immigration attorney Molly Full emphasizes the ongoing concerns that many DACA recipients face.
“We do need to find a way to fully legalize and codify it in a way that it can’t just be taken away and used as a pawn,” Full stressed.
In Congress, efforts are underway to provide Dreamers with a permanent solution through the Dream and Promise Act, spearheaded by Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia.
Garcia, a strong advocate for Dreamers, has highlighted the importance of bipartisan support to advance this legislation.
She noted, “The children know no other country except this one. In their heart, in their mind, in their soul, they’re American. They know nothing else.”
The Dream and Promise Act has already been passed twice in the House of Representatives, with over 200 sponsors, including a Republican.
Marco Cruz-Linares, who had an internship with Congresswoman Garcia, remains hopeful about the future of DACA and Dreamers.
“I hope they are successful because us Dreamers,” he said, “we do contribute to this country.”
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