By Dru Barcelo
This past Tuesday, President Trump ordered an end to the Obama-era program known as DACA, which shielded young undocumented immigrants from deportation. President Trump is urging Congress to pass a replacement before he begins phasing out its protections in six months.
Join us during tomorrow night's Twitter chat using #DACADreams and share your thoughts on the latest immigration decision pic.twitter.com/tU11H0j9Ff
— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) September 5, 2017
This is a tremendous issue, especially in South Florida where many DACA recipients came from or still reside. The Harbinger took to Twitter this past Wednesday amidst the panic due to Hurricane Irma in order to have a conversation about the issue.
But what is DACA? DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, was an executive order by President Obama that allowed certain illegal immigrants who entered the country as minors to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and eligibility for a work permit.
The Harbinger posed questions for our audience to engage in conversation with.
What are your thoughts on DACA and how do you think it's removal is going to effect our country? #DACADreams
— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) September 6, 2017
Opening with this question, responses came in from both sides. There were those who stood for Donald Trump fulfilling his promise to the American people, and then those who stood for the Dreamers. Those who stand with DACA are defending the individuals enlisted in the program – being that they are here for education and for work – claiming that they do not pose a threat to our democracy but rather are an addition.
https://twitter.com/rosalesxabigail/status/905569223895904257
Then comes the question of economics. The Harbinger then posed a question on how it will affect our economy.
How will rescinding DACA affect the country economically? #DACADreams
— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) September 6, 2017
Almost immediately the reality of how much of an expense this would come to be for the American people. Not only the cost of the deportations alone, but the cost of funding the ICE in order to locate all the individuals enlisted in DACA. Companies would lose workers and the government would lose money in taxes.
https://twitter.com/BarceloDru/status/905569948369637376
drastic changes in the stock market, higher unemployment rates, just about everything of the opposite that trump believed in. #DACADreams https://t.co/zd5SajOAbO
— Carlos Fernandez (@Carlosfdz99) September 6, 2017
DACA is not entirely over yet. It is now set to face Congress for the next six months. The Harbinger posed a question on what Congress could do in order to “fix” DACA.
DACA will now face Congress as they attempt to "fix" the program. What changes could Congress conjure up to fix DACA? #DACADreams
— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) September 6, 2017
Fixing DACA is a complicated task with no clear answer as to how. A six month period may not be enough time to fully reconstruct or replace DACA. It is clear however that this run through Congress is a necessary step to a possible path to citizenship, and to amend a bill that is in need of bipartisan support.
https://twitter.com/ValeriaBulaaa/status/905573359831965696
While hope may seem lost for these Dreamers, the process is not over yet. This six month period could prove beneficial and not detrimental to those who are in DACA. This Twitter Chat opened a dialogue so that we could find solutions to issue that our country is facing with those who seek an education in the US.
https://twitter.com/louis_gleason/status/905573133884809216
Congress should provide a provisional bill to protect those who have nowhere to turn to. Consider the BRIDGE Act? https://t.co/7cCOG6KyhA https://t.co/2tssurO7tA
— jairo (@okayjairo) September 6, 2017
Here's a graphic on where DACA applicants come from #DACADreams pic.twitter.com/D8l3QkdbZN
— Alex (@ReboredoAlex) September 6, 2017
Here’s a recap of Wednesday Night’s chat:
In case you missed our Twitter Chat with #DACADreams. Highlights and more: https://t.co/hJTE6RBDPx
— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) September 7, 2017
