Obama celebrates 12 years of Dreamers executive action.
Former President Obama celebrated the 12th anniversary of his executive action on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program this past weekend, urging Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution before the program expires.
DACA, which was implemented by the Obama administration in 2012, aimed to protect individuals who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children from deportation and provide them with a pathway to citizenship.
These recipients, often referred to as “Dreamers,” were eligible to request “consideration of deferred action” for two years, with the possibility of renewal.
Over the years, many Dreamers have grown up to become valuable members of society, working as teachers, doctors, lawyers, and even starting families of their own. However, the temporary nature of the program has left them in a state of limbo, uncertain about their future.
President Obama commended the Biden administration for making it easier for Dreamers to access federal programs, such as health care, but emphasized the need for a permanent solution to provide them with stability and security.
He called upon Congress to pass legislation that offers Dreamers a pathway to citizenship, while also advocating for a fairer and more just immigration system.
President Biden is set to host a White House event in the coming week to celebrate the legacy of the DACA program, amid discussions of potential benefits for other undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
Reports suggest that the White House is considering using executive powers to protect the spouses of U.S. citizens without legal status, granting them work permits and easing their journey towards permanent residency and citizenship.
The mechanism to be employed, known as “parole-in-place,” not only shields eligible immigrants from deportation but also removes barriers that hinder their access to permanent residency and ultimately, U.S. citizenship.
This strategy has been utilized in the past to safeguard other groups of immigrants, including relatives of U.S. military personnel who lack legal status.
While the details of the plan and its timeline remain uncertain, the Biden administration’s efforts signal a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by undocumented individuals living in the U.S.
As discussions around immigration policy continue to evolve, the fate of Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants hangs in the balance, waiting for legislative action to provide them with a sense of security and belonging.
The Associated Press has provided valuable insights into this ongoing debate, shedding light on the complexities of immigration reform in the United States.
