Dreamers Now Living a Nightmare

There are proximately 42.4 million immigrants living in the United States, according to the Census Bureau. Unfortunately, the process to obtain the necessary paperwork to legally enter the U.S. is long and costly. Many of the people that want to come to the U.S. are trying to escape terrible situations in their native country. Many leave behind their families with hopes of making enough money to send back to them. Some of them move their whole families to the U.S. and begin a new life. Some of these families bring very young children, even infants, with them. Most of these children considerer the U.S. their home, their country and identify as Americans.

Unfortunately, these children grow up to find out that they are considered illegal immigrants in the only country they have ever known. Illegal immigrants are viewed as criminals and are accused of stealing the jobs of “real” Americans. These children are at risk of deportation if they are caught by immigration services. Many of them dreamed of going to college or working and some even wanted to join the U.S. military. However, illegal immigrants are not allowed to do any of these things.

In 2012, an American Immigration Policy known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was founded by the Obama administration. DACA allowed certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferment from deportation and eligibility for employment and higher education.

These immigrants became known as “the dreamers.” They all have a dream they wish to fulfill in the country they call home. Many of them dream of going to college and making their parents proud. DACA gave them the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

On Tues, August 29, President Trump ordered the end of DACA and urged Congress to pass a replacement before it can phase out its protection in six months. Officials say that as early as March, over 80,000 young adults brought to the United States as children would be eligible for deportation. These young men and women could be returned to a country they know very little of.

Many have shown their opposition to  end  DACA. Protests and lawsuits have begun in response to the possible termination of DACA. Six California “Dreamers” have filed a lawsuit against Trump on Mon, Sept. 18, to block the termination of the Deferment Action of Childhood Arrivals. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised by donors, advocates and politicians to help thousands of dreamers pay for the renewal fee for DACA (The Hill). On Mon, Sept. 18, Rhode Island Governor, Gina Raimondo (D), announced a plan to pay for all in-state beneficiaries eligible to apply for renewal.

There has been a lot of support for the dreamers, but there is still a  fear of deportation among them. It is still uncertain of what will happen to thousands of young immigrants across the country. However, many people are uniting to find ways to help these “Dreamers” achieve their dreams.