STUDENT RESOURCE: Trump Ends DACA

On Tuesday September 5, 2017, ’45’ ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, otherwise known as DACA.

Also see:

In sum, this bill allowed undocumented youth who were brought to the US a children with a channel to obtaining a legal status (though, specifically not citizenship). For many, this meant they could now work better jobs, go to school, buy a home or a care, etc.

For a clear breakdown of who DACA will affect and why it matters, see Vox’s coverage here.

DACA wasn’t perfect. An important drawback was that it DID NOT provide a pathway to citizenship. “On July 20, 2017,  Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Dream Act of 2017.[1] It is a bipartisan bill that would provide a direct road to U.S. citizenship for people who are either undocumented, have DACA or temporary protected status (TPS), and who graduate from U.S. high schools and attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in a military program.” For a brief and easy-to-read overview of this bill, see this overview by the National Immigration Law Center.

Some of you may by very familiar with DACA, as you or someone you know may be affected by this policy change.

You’ll want to make sure you get accurate information on how you or your friends/family members may be affected. Below is a quick fact sheet pulled together by United We Dream. More information, including local organizations to reach out to for support and information (organized by state) can also be found on their website.

CUNY Student Resource: Attorneys at CUNY’s Citizenship Now will be scheduling appointments beginning next week to help with DACA renewals.

Students may contact Citizenship Now at citizenshipnowinfo@cuny.edu

Some of you may be wondering how to get involved in protecting your fellow community members.

See United We Dream’s ‘Take Action’ page.

There is also the #HereToStay Campaign, which has up-to-date information on how to fight back (by attending an event around the city, or calling your congress members – ps: they give you a script!).

You can fax your senators in regards to DACA by texting “resist” to 50409 and follow the prompts.

  • A suggested message is: My name is [insert name], and I am one of your constituents. I am writing to express my discontent with the White House’s decision to end DACA and ask you to support legislative action that will protect immigrants affected by the termination of DACA. Eight hundred thousand lives are affected because of the president’s decision to end DACA, and now it is time for Congress to pass a law that would provide a pathway to citizenship for this group of immigrants. Please support the DREAM Act on behalf of your constituents.

Also, there are two events being organized:

1) Thursday (9/7/17) at 5pm at 92-10 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Height, Queens

2) Saturday (9/9/17) at 2pm at Trump Tower (5th Ave between 56th St and 57th St).

Posted on: September 5, 2017