Washington, D.C. – On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a new rule for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This news does not impact current DACA recipients or their renewals, nor does it change or expand eligibility.
The proposed rule aims to codify DACA policy, but it also leaves the possibility of severing the work permit provision of the policy from its protections from deportation, potentially cutting off a lifeline for its recipients who rely on steady employment to provide for themselves and their families.
The proposed rule will be open for a 60-day public comment period beginning today, followed by an extensive review period. Over the next 60 days, United We Dream is urging immigrant youth, their families, and allies to use the power of their voice to leave a comment and make our demands clear – DACA is not enough, Biden and Democrats have all the power to deliver citizenship for millions now.
Greisa Martinez Rosas, Executive Director of United We Dream, said:
“Since 2012, DACA has always been about our ability to work, travel and live without the constant fear of immediate deportation. Severing work permits from deportation protections of DACA is cruel and unacceptable. The Biden administration must be resolute in strengthening the DACA program to address our communities’ immediate needs while also remembering that we need and deserve a long term and permanent fix.
Protecting DACA is critical to ensuring hundreds of thousands of current recipients have some reprieve from the threat of deportation and can continue to live and work in the place they call home. But protecting DACA is not a permanent fix. President Biden also made a promise to deliver citizenship for millions of undocumented people because our communities made clear that DACA has never been enough. It’s time he and Democrats in Congress follow through on their promises while simultaneously ensuring that the final DACA rule strengthens and expands the program to protect more undocumented folks right now.
President Biden must use all his power to ensure Democrats pass their budget reconciliation package with an expansive pathway to citizenship for millions of people – no excuses. ”
