By Andrea R. Flores*
07 Oct 2024, 10:32 AM EDT
Day after day, we hear about what is not working in our country. Whether it’s health care, housing access or other social issues, the outlook in Washington is often one of the glass half empty. The most recent issue that has gained prominence in this electoral cycle is immigration, a system in need of urgent reform. In the absence of this, there are immigration programs like DACA and Parole-in-Place that do work and must be protected from the xenophobia and demagogy that currently prevail in our society. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us also celebrate the many beneficiaries of these programs, who contribute immensely to our economy and want to help shape the future of the United States—despite facing the possibility of having to leave the country they live in. They consider it to be their home.
On October 10, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will decide the future of two highly successful immigration programs of the last decade. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Keeping Families Together program, also known as Parole-in-Place, have benefited millions of American families in the United States . Thanks to these programs, the separation of hundreds of thousands of mixed-status American families has been prevented. Ending them would have serious consequences beyond family separation, which is devastating in itself.
Let’s start with DACA. There are about 550,000 people in the country who are DACA beneficiaries. These people arrived in the country without a voice or vote as children, even babies. They grew up and were raised in this country, and, for most, it is the only one they consider home. Twelve years ago, I would have told you that they were young adults looking for opportunities to study and contribute to the economy. However, thanks to DACA, these people have since attended college, gotten jobs, paid taxes, and started families of their own. Eliminating DACA would cause more than 120,000 children—who are US citizens—to fall below the poverty level and lose access to health care. This decision would also eliminate nearly half a million people from the workforce. If this were to become a reality, a recent FWD.us report projected it would result in $648 billion in future economic losses. In addition, state and local governments would lose revenue, entrepreneurs with DACA would have to close their businesses, causing the loss of thousands of jobs held by American citizens.
Likewise, ending the Temporary Permission to Stay in the Country (Parole-in-Place) program would entail large economic losses. If this program, which has the potential to offer relief to undocumented spouses of US citizens, is revoked, 400,000 jobs could be lost, many of which are in sectors considered essential during and after the pandemic. Most of the program’s eligible participants are taxpayers, paying nearly $13.5 billion a year in taxes. If they have a path to citizenship, they could contribute an additional $6.6 billion. These people support their families, many of whom are U.S. citizens, and would face great hardship if their loved ones were deported.
We cannot allow extremist proposals and divisive rhetoric to tear hundreds of thousands of American families apart. There is no legal justification for eliminating DACA or Parole-in-Place. The beneficiaries of these programs are people who have built their lives in this country and presidents of both parties have exercised their executive power to offer them a solution while pressure is placed on Congress to take definitive legislative action. Those benefiting from these programs include award-winning chefs, paramedics, lawyers, farmworkers, CEOs, journalists and many others who play essential roles that keep our communities stable and safe.
That’s why we must fight for a logical, permanent solution that allows us to keep American families together while strengthening our economy. Congress has the authority to debate and pass permanent legislation that protects Dreamers and American families, but it won’t happen without making excuses and politicking.
Unfortunately, there is a growing trend in the political sphere that seeks to defame undocumented immigrants, but I urge you not to be influenced by those who want to use us as political puppets. History tells us that repeating falsehoods and fabricating facts only results in dire consequences for everyone involved. This Hispanic Heritage Month, let us honor the valuable contributions and enormous influence of the Latino community in the United States. Let us raise our voices together in favor of these two programs that embody the spirit of inclusion and opportunity that defines our nation. We will never be able to progress as a country if what motivates us is hate instead of unity.
Andrea Flores, Vice President of Immigration Policy and Campaigns at FWD.us.
The texts published in this section are the sole responsibility of the authors, so La Opinión does not assume responsibility for them.