Immigration continues to be a divisive political issue in Illinois and throughout the country. Due to the vastly different opinions about immigration policy, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the proposed Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) continue to face legal obstacles.
Who are dreamers?
“Dreamers” refers to immigrants whose parents brought them to the U.S. when they were young children or teens. “Dreamers” do not have legal citizenship or immigration status due to the way that they entered the country.
What is the DACA program?
Former President Barack Obama signed DACA into law as an executive order in 2012. Under DACA, dreamers were permitted to apply for Social Security numbers, work permits, and driver’s licenses. DCACA did not provide legal citizenship or a path to citizenship. However, DACA did provide protection against deportation and an assurance that the dreamers could remain legally in the country. Applicants have to reapply every two years.
What happened to the DACA program?
Former President Donald Trump attempted to undo the DACA program, but the program was granted a brief reprieve in 2020 by a federal judge. In 2021 a different federal judge barred new applicants to the program. The DACA program remains in legal jeopardy, which is why lawmakers have pushed for new legislation.
What is the DREAM Act?
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan bill designed to provide a path to legal citizenship for dreamers. Congress introduced the bill in 2021, but the Act could not get enough votes to pass. The DREAM Act remains a possibility in Congress, but dreamers cannot benefit from the Act at present.
DACA and the DREAM Act attempted to provide immigration reform
Both DADA and the DREAM Act tried to provide ways to give immigrants greater legal standing. Without DADA or the DREAM Act to offer a path to legalized status, these immigrants face a legal limbo.
