I. Introduction
- Brief overview of DACA: protects undocumented youth (Dreamers) from deportation.
- Trump’s presidency has reignited legal and political attacks on the program.
- Thesis: DACA has long been vulnerable due to its original creation by executive action, and Trump’s aggressive efforts to dismantle it would have lasting economic and societal consequences for the U.S.
Throughout President Trump’s two terms, he has made it a central focus to try and end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a piece of legislation that has given hundreds of thousands the ability to stay in America. In his most recent attempt to attack the program, he has declared that various universities are breaking Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits national origin discrimination with DACA only scholarships. What many people fail to realize when discussing DACA is how crucial this program has become to the United States. Unfortunately, DACA has long been vulnerable due to its original creation by executive action, and Trump’s aggressive efforts to dismantle it would have lasting economic and societal consequences for the U.S.
II. What Is DACA and Who It Protects
- Created in 2012 by President Obama.
- Provides temporary protection, work permits, and access to limited benefits for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
- Does not provide a pathway to citizenship, permanent legal status, or access to federal aid.
- Approximately 800,000 recipients (majority from Mexico and Central America).
Back in 2012, President Barack Obama passed DACA as a way to help young people apply for temporary protection from deportation if they were brought into the country illegally as children. Under DACA, they are able to gain work permits, go to school, get a drivers license, and most importantly it stops them from being deported. With this, illegal immigrants are able to apply and renew their protected status every two years and it has ultimately helped over 800,000 recipients, mainly from South and Central America.
Although DACA has been greatly beneficial in these communities, there are parts of the program that are detrimental to these immigrants. For starters, DACA is not and has never been a pathway to citizenship. Along with this, DACA still does not give its recipients legal status in the country, rather these “dreamers” are still illegal residents.
III. How Obama’s Method Set DACA Up for Scrutiny
- DACA was implemented via executive action, not legislation – intended as a temporary measure.
- Obama admitted it was not a permanent solution and lacked congressional backing.
- Because it wasn’t passed through Congress, future presidents could easily challenge or reverse it.
- This opened the door for legal challenges and political instability, making recipients’ futures uncertain from the start.
IV. Trump’s Direct Attacks on DACA
- 2017: Attempted to end the program – ruled “arbitrary and capricious” by the Supreme Court.
- Delayed renewals and created longer waiting periods, hoping DACA status would expire.
- Encouraged lawsuits from conservative states (e.g., Texas) claiming DACA is unlawful.
- 2025 (Current Term):
- Department of Education investigates universities for offering scholarships to undocumented/DACA students (Guardian report).
- Rollbacks of federal programs (like TRIO) that support undocumented youth.
- Public rhetoric fueling anti-immigrant sentiment and ICE crackdowns.
V. Why Ending DACA Would Be Harmful
A. Economic Consequences
- DACA recipients pay over $1.7 billion annually in state and local taxes.
- Many work in essential industries: education, health care, construction, service sector.
- Removing them from the workforce would reduce productivity and revenue.
B. Educational and Workforce Impact
- DACA recipients are often bilingual, college-educated, and culturally American.
- Attacking scholarships, tuition access, and school resources limits their ability to contribute.
- Makes higher education less attainable for immigrant youth – hurting long-term workforce development.
C. Social Instability and Moral Costs
- Most Dreamers have lived in the U.S. for decades and know no other country.
- Ending DACA would separate families, upend lives, and damage U.S. global image.
- Majority of Americans support protections for Dreamers – Trump’s approach contradicts public opinion and national values.
VI. What Should Be Done
- DACA must be protected – but more importantly, it must be legislated.
- Congress should create a law that:
- Offers a permanent path to citizenship
- Protects Dreamers from political back-and-forth
- Ensures fair access to education and employment
- Failing to act only increases uncertainty and harms both Dreamers and the nation.
VII. Conclusion
- DACA’s temporary foundation made it vulnerable – but dismantling it would be a mistake.
- Trump’s continued attacks expose Dreamers to legal, financial, and emotional harm.
- Protecting and formalizing DACA is not just a policy necessity – it’s a commitment to the future strength and values of the United States.
Rafaella Esparza Tello is an undergraduate student at Boston University with a focus on Political Science and Business Administration. She’s an Institute for Liberal Studies intern.
