DREAMers vs. Trump Administration vs. Congress

DREAMers vs. Trump Administration vs. Congress

            We are going to find out just how bipartisan and effective our government can be. In September, President Trump announced that he would put a stop to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). Enacted by the Obama administration, DACA protected undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children from being deported. DACA has had a massive effect on these people (an estimated 700,000). DACA has also been controversial for the way it was enacted: without Congress. So, now-President Donald Trump decided that no new DACA applications would be accepted and that the program would end in March. He has stripped away the security these members of our society have needed. The uncertainty for the DREAMers is terrifying. This is not an anti-Trump, president-bashing piece. I just want our government to work correctly and efficiently to help these immigrants. As you and I both know, we are a country built on immigration. And unless lawmakers and the White House can agree on legislation, we will see a huge shift in immigration policy.

            ‘DREAMers’ refers to immigrants who illegally came to the United States as minors. The acronym comes from the proposed DREAM Act, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors. It was first introduced to Congress in 2001, and reintroduced several times after, but has failed to pass. Obama established DACA in 2012 to protect the illegal immigrant student population. Those who entered the country under the age of 16 and were younger than 31 in June of 2012 could avoid deportation and were eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits upon good behavior. These immigrants grew up in the U.S. and do not really know any other country, culture or society. They are members of the U.S. despite their lack of official citizenship. This program sounds good-natured and beneficial for so many. However, many members of Congress immediately claimed that it was a gross abuse of power. They claimed that the President cannot just make up immigration legislation. And they are very correct.

This immigration issue is not new by any means, but as I have learned, President Trump can add controversy to topics. After rescinding DACA in September, Trump has called for Congress to propose more comprehensive immigration legislation. This could be great, but can the branches of government work together? The Trump administration has already rejected a bipartisan deal over DACA. An agreement proposed by senators on Thursday (January 11) was turned down by the Trump administration. The President wants the bill to include legislation and funds for his wall and claims this proposal did not allocate enough for the wall on the border. Additionally, Trump demands that the discussions include an increase in military budget. The connection between the military and the 700,000 DREAMers is lost on me.

“Do this favor for me, and I’ll do this for you,” is the way this sounds. “I’ll scratch your back if you build my wall.” The Trump administration is using the DACA negotiations to further other agendas. It is a politically savvy move, but ethically it is rather sick. The White House has claimed it wants to preserve DACA in some way. Trump has recently tweeted that the Democrats are to blame for the failure to reach an agreement. Finger pointing will not help the DREAMers, the students, and the members of society who are now afraid of possibly being deported. The President tweeted on Sunday that DACA is probably dead because of the Democrats. I hope that the dreams do not die with it.

Was Obama morally correct in establishing DACA? Yes. Was he legally and constitutionally in the wrong? Very possibly. Is Trump morally correct in rescinding DACA? I do not believe so. Is he legally in the right? Yes. But Trump needs to put aside his other motives to help legally create legislation that upholds our morals. The deportation of thousands of people who grew up here breaks U.S. morals. Other Republican leaders like Paul Ryan have said that they hope to create legislation that protects those immigrants who have done nothing wrong. Trump has stated he wants this to happen too. The desire to cooperate is there. So, a bill needs to be made that focuses on the issue and focuses on helping people. Permanent immigration legislation must be made. Forget walls and other agendas for a minute, and let’s prove that our government can work effectively to help so many people.