In the News
“Dreamers” Need a Path to Citizenship
DACA’s 10th Anniversary
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), created in 2012 by President Obama, provided temporary protection to undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. The United States became their home; it is their home. DACA took them out of the shadows and allowed them to continue their education and work.
On the 10th anniversary of DACA, Florida Democratic Party Chair Manny Diaz issued the following statement:
“Thanks to DACA, ‘Dreamers’ have been able to enjoy access to higher education, better jobs, start their families, buy homes, and start their businesses, but there remains much more to do. Right now, a lawsuit making its way through the courts seeking to end DACA could be decided in the next few months, possibly sending them into the shadows again.
“Dreamers identify themselves as Americans. They do not deserve to live a life of uncertainty; they deserve to live freely in this nation that is their home. Dreamers were brought to this country at a young age and are here through no fault of their own. Their contributions to this nation are immeasurable. Some Dreamers are not even allowed the protections that DACA guarantees them, like in the State of Texas.
“A decade ago I worked with the Obama-Biden Administration to secure these protections for our community. Seven years later I joined the lawsuit against the Trump administration to preserve them. The Florida Democratic Party believes that everyone – regardless of race, gender, or differences – is deserving of a life of dignity and respect and we will continue to fight for vulnerable communities.
“Once more, I call on Congress to act swiftly to provide a permanent solution. A path to citizenship will grant these ‘Dreamers’ the legal status they deserve and make official what so many of them know in their hearts: they belong here, this is their home too.”
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