Donald Trump is a Danger to DACA

Nov 1

By Rosemary Vega | Texas Immigration Attorney

Rosemary Vega is a Houston-based immigration lawyer and adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center with almost 25 years of experience representing Texas families.

As an immigration attorney in Texas, I’ve seen firsthand the uncertainty and fear that plagues young immigrants who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. These DREAMers, many of whom know no other home than the United States, face a precarious future. While their work permits and protection from deportation remain in legal limbo, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s policies, rhetoric, and continued efforts to dismantle DACA represent a direct threat to their lives, their families, and our broader community.

DACA, introduced in 2012 by President Obama, offered a temporary reprieve to eligible undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. It allowed them to pursue education, work, and contribute to the economy without the constant fear of deportation. In Texas alone, there are more than 100,000 DACA recipients, many of whom are teachers, healthcare workers, and business owners who enrich our local economies and communities.

Legal Challenges and Ongoing Threats

Since taking office in 2017, Donald Trump has relentlessly sought to terminate the program. His administration's attempts to rescind DACA were met with legal challenges, eventually reaching the Supreme Court. In 2020, the Court blocked Trump’s efforts, ruling that his administration’s termination of the program was "arbitrary and capricious." However, the victory was bittersweet. Instead of protecting DACA fully, the ruling left room for more legal wrangling, allowing Trump to undermine the program further by limiting renewals and reducing new applicants.

This persistent threat has left DACA recipients and their families living in a state of limbo. I see this anxiety every day in my practice. Many of my clients have been in the U.S. since they were toddlers. They don’t remember the countries they were born in, and yet they live with the fear that, at any moment, they could be forced to leave their jobs, their homes, and their loved ones. It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of young professionals who have built their lives here in Texas but can’t plan for the future because of political uncertainty.

These attacks on DACA are not just an attack on immigrants but also on the legal and economic fabric of our state. Texas is one of the largest beneficiaries of the DACA program. DREAMers contribute billions to our economy, paying taxes, starting businesses, and filling critical roles in sectors like education and healthcare. If DACA were to be rescinded, the state would lose an estimated $6.3 billion in GDP over the next decade. The ripple effect would be felt across industries, affecting both citizens and immigrants alike.

The Call for Compassionate Policies

While Trump continues to sow division and anxiety, there is hope for more compassionate immigration policies. Vice President Kamala Harris has shown a commitment to addressing immigration concerns with humanity and empathy. Unlike Trump’s approach, which is rooted in fear and exclusion, Harris has expressed a desire to provide a permanent legislative solution for DACA recipients, such as a pathway to citizenship. She understands that the issue is not merely a legal debate but a matter of human dignity.

While Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her support for DACA and a permanent solution for DREAMers, it's essential to recognize the impossible task she was handed as she was charged with "fixing" the border—a challenge akin to trying to unscramble an egg. The root issues surrounding immigration are complex and multifaceted, and true reform requires congressional action. For years, Congress has failed to pass legislation that would secure permanent protections for DREAMers. Despite widespread public support and multiple attempts to pass the DREAM Act, lawmakers have yet to enact a bill to provide these young immigrants with the stability they deserve. It’s time for Congress to act, as delaying any further will continue to leave DREAMers in a state of limbo.

In the meantime, it is essential for all of us, especially here in Texas, to raise our voices in support of DACA recipients and push back against Trump’s ongoing assault on immigrant rights. We must urge our elected officials to prioritize immigration reform and pass the DREAM Act, ensuring that DACA recipients can live and work in the country they have called home for so long without fear.

Standing Up for DREAMers

Trump’s dangerous rhetoric and policies are not just about politics—they are about people. The DREAMers I work with every day are not statistics; they are human beings with hopes, dreams, and families. They deserve more than uncertainty; they deserve the right to thrive in the country they love. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to stand up against the threat Trump poses to DACA and demand compassionate leadership that values all who contribute to the American dream.

Sources

DACA Recipients in Texas:

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), as of 2020, there were approximately 101,970 active DACA recipients in Texas, making it one of the largest DACA populations in the U.S.

Source: Migration Policy Institute - DACA Recipients Data Tool

Economic Impact of DACA Recipients in Texas:

A 2019 report from the Center for American Progress estimated that removing DACA recipients from the workforce could result in a loss of $6.3 billion in annual GDP for Texas alone.

Source: Center for American Progress - State by State Economic Impact of DACA

DACA and National Economic Contribution:

Nationally, DACA recipients contribute $2 billion annually in state and local taxes.

Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

Impact of Trump’s DACA Termination Efforts:

Trump’s 2017 attempt to end DACA was ruled unlawful by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020, which found the decision to rescind DACA "arbitrary and capricious."

Source: Supreme Court Opinion - Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California

Kamala Harris on Immigration and DACA:

Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly supported the DREAM Act and other immigration reforms that offer a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, often highlighting the importance of treating immigrants with "compassion and dignity."