Defend DACA: What is It and Why is It Important

It can be tough for immigrants. You probably know it all too well. You, your parents, or someone you know came to this country to get better work opportunities and a better standard of life. And it could be much better if discrimination towards immigrants could be purged from society.

How do you stop discrimination against immigrants? Where do you get help to launch an initiative? Can anyone help to further a cause? Here is a cause you can start with. Help defend DACA individuals who are facing much opposition under the current Trump administration. Here’s how you can do it.

What is Defend DACA?

Defend DACA is an initiative that aims to protect and further the rights of children who migrated with their parents to the U.S. They were young when they moved with their undocumented parents and are therefore regarded as innocent. These children receive a status called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which does not make them eligible for removal procedures.

DACA dreamers (as they are fondly referred to) have certain rights as long as they keep to the eligibility criteria. They can’t be convicted of any serious misdemeanors or felonies and must maintain a clean record. They can renew their DACA status every two years and may at some point become eligible for a work permit if they keep a clean record. They could even qualify for undocumented immigrant scholarships.

But the current Trump administration is placing this minority group in a difficult position. The administration has repeatedly voiced its intention to remove the rights bestowed upon this group and immigrants at large. Fortunately, several judges have ruled in favor of DACA dreamers and upheld their rights.

But Americans in favor of DACA dreamers need to remain vigilant even though things may look promising for the time being. And you can do just that by getting involved with activism at a grassroots level. You can start or support a campaign in your area in aid of DACA dreamers to further immigrant rights in this country, no matter your race, gender, or age. You can make a difference by starting a campaign or supporting a petition with your participation on a platform like United We Dream. You can also get involved to defend DACA rights and to help improve immigrants’ lives.

How to Get Involved with Defend DACA

It’s much easier than you would think. Follow these step-by-step instructions to get involved and defend DACA rights.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Starting a Defend DACA Campaign

• Go to the United We Dream website and start a new petition campaign.
• Complete a new petition application by following the instructions per required field
• Wait for the petition to clear a review process
• Start advocating your petition and garner more signatures from participants,

You can also lookup more causes that are worthy of your attention on the website to add your support to ongoing campaigns. You can sign the petitions of other campaigners to help defend DACA rights.

Why DACA is Good for the U.S.

Many people just don’t understand why it’s a good thing to receive more immigrants in the U.S., but we have to help spread the word. So here are a few things you can use in your marketing efforts as you educate people on why we need to defend the rights of DACA dreamers and immigrants.

It’s Good for the U.S. Economy

The United States of America was founded by immigrants. Started with the dream of having an opportunity to build the life they desired under a government of their choice. It may only be fair to still have that same openness to immigrants. Any human resources in the form of manpower, skills, and knowledge help to build the U.S. economy. Some people believe that DACA recipients will add up to $460.3 billion to the U.S. economy over the next decade.

Asking DACA dreamers to leave the country will surely remove a large chunk from the U.S. GDP. This will lead to a reduced spending capacity, which means businesses have fewer customers and as a result will make fewer sales. As people leave the U.S. economy citizens and residents may lose their jobs since it means there are essentially fewer Dollars to be spent. Loss of revenue and job cuts go hand in hand. Just have a look at what happened on a global scale during the housing crisis of 2008/2009.

Just think about it. There will be no more DACA loans available. This means lenders will have fewer customers. That money that would have been spent by DACA recipients are removed from the economy and the GDP of America will shrink.

Deporting Dreamers is Cruel and Inhuman

Administrations of the past have been welcoming to people in need, including immigrants who need better work opportunities and improved quality of life. DACA children have grown up in this country and are technically American. They were taught in American schools, took part in sports, and could even have adopted many American traditions.

DACA recipients have homes, family, friends, and lives here in the U.S. Asking them to leave all this is very inhumane considering they came here for help in the first place. Now they need to return to a place where help is scarce and hope even less so. They will still have an opportunity to go from DACA to Green Card if we can convince society and government about their importance to our country.

Sending these people packing endorses a harsh xenophobic culture that targets minority groups who are in dire need of sympathy and support. A heightened sense of hostility towards minorities is a bad thing in a country that is already divided. We will only drive the wedge deeper into this country by highlighting the differences in society.

Heritage and race are extremely important. It defines you and grounds you. It should not cause you any harm. You can help improve the lives of immigrants and defend DACA rights. Use these points of concern the next time you engage in a conversation about the rights of DACA dreamers. It not only affects the recipients but also the lives of every American. Even Americans of the future may feel the effects of our actions as we advocate and campaign for the rights of all people in this country.

Conclusion

Are you looking for a way to play your part in a national crisis? Do you want to help make this country a better place for citizens, residents, and immigrants alike? Are you ready to see the change you’ve been looking for all along?

Why don’t you go be the change and help defend DACA dreamers and their rights? Start a petition and make sure you petition the right people (those with the power to exact the change you desire). Follow the easy step by step instructions above and advocate your cause.

You have the power and resources someone else does not own. Use your voice to benefit the lives of those you empathize with. Help make this country a great place by helping those who can’t do it themselves. Go be the difference today.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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